Introducing Liding Zhao - Surfing Instructor China

Liding Zhao is an ASI surfing instructor in China.   He fell in love with surfing and decided to make a career as a surfing instructor. 

What is your background?

Before I became a surfing coach, I was a fitness coach. 

I've been surfing for many years, and most of the time I surf in Hainan Province, China. Hainan Province is an area surrounded by the sea.  I’ve also surfed in other locations around the world including Bali.

What got you involved in surfing?

I like surfing and life by the sea, so I started living in Hainan Island.  I was able to surf every day and develop my surfing skills.

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

Because surfing is my biggest hobby, I like to deal with different people, and I am very willing to share some of my surfing experience, so I chose to be a surfing coach.

I happened to learn about One More Wave Kata Beach Surf School , an ASI Surf School, in Phuket, Thailand Their business model attracted my attention.

The reason why I choose ASI is that I have a mature teaching system, surf wise, which is very good. It will help beginners understand what stage they are in and how they should continue to learn in the future.

The Surfing Instructor training is also high quality with training manuals and information that helps instructors gain the skills to deliver quality lessons and keep their students safe.

Nowadays, most club surfing teaching in China is based on experiential courses, without systematic training.  So I wanted to introduce ASI to China.

What are you doing now?

I operate Hang 5, an ASI accredited surf school at Fuli Bay Hainan Island.   We also deliver the ASI Surf Wise certificate course up to level 6 (intermediate surfing skills).  

We have accommodation and excellent facilities right on the beach.  People can come and surf, study and stay.    

I’m also an ASI Trainer delivering the ASI surfing instructor courses at Hainan Island.  And I am the ASI Partner/Licencee  for ASI China.  

What do you like about being an instructor?

Helping people learn and passing on my surfing knowledge.   It is a fun job and everyone is always happy !    Plus you stay fit and healthy by being outdoors and in sea.  

Tell us about the Surfing Scene in China

At present, China's surfing industry is in the period of fastest development.

Hainan island is the best place for surfing in China.  It is a province in South China located in the South China Sea. It is the smallest and southernmost province of Mainland China, consisting of various islands in the South Sea.

Many bays in Hainan Island, like Bali, gather surfers from all over the country. More and more products of international surfing brands can be bought in China. More and more young people begin to surf during the day and party at night.

The annual surfing season is from October to March, and the average wave height is 6-8ft. The average wave height in other months is 2-6ft.

Every summer and autumn is the typhoon season, and the waves sometimes reach 10-12ft.

My wave spot is called sandalwood, which is formed by a man-made wharf. The best season for waves is summer and autumn, when nanchung and southwest wind come.

Thank you Liding for sharing your story with us.

More about Liding at:
Website: www.hang5surf.com
Social Media: Red / Xiaohongshu

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