Paddle Into the Unknown, Embrace the Ocean — Letting SUP Spark a Conversation with Your Body

Where Can You SUP in Northern Taiwan?

In the post-pandemic era, after nearly two years of battling the virus, we have been carrying a weight unlike anything before — our routines upended, our lives reshaped. Summer vacation, once the most eagerly awaited time of year for children, found us confined to this beautiful island. Yet that very sense of being "grounded" gave us more time and opportunities to appreciate Taiwan's beauty through a different lens. This time, we invited a group of friends to set sail on a sailboat toward Elephant Nose Rock — one of northern Taiwan's most popular water activity destinations — to experience the hottest water sport of the moment: SUP.

Elephant Nose Rock at Shen'ao in Ruifang, New Taipei City, is a celebrated attraction on the Northeast Coast. It resembles a giant elephant standing tall, its trunk plunging straight into the sea. This striking sea-eroded formation was carved over time by the relentless pounding of waves and the persistent northeast monsoon, giving rise to the stoic colossus that now quietly guards this headland. Visitors approaching along the ocean-view walkway can only catch a glimpse of the elephant's head and a small section of its trunk. For safety reasons, getting too close to the cliff's edge for photos is strongly discouraged, and reaching the viewpoint requires a short walk over uneven rocky terrain — not ideal for the elderly or young children. Here, we introduce a completely different way to take in the grandeur of Elephant Nose Rock.

What Is SUP?

Have you heard of SUP? SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle — in short, you stand or kneel on a board and glide across the water. It blends the principles of paddling and surfing, but unlike surfing it doesn't demand a high level of balance. Here's a quick rundown of the three essential pieces of SUP gear: the leash, the paddle, and the board.

• Leash: The leash is an absolute must — it keeps you connected to your board if you fall in. Attach it to your dominant foot and give it a firm tug to make sure it's secure.
• Paddle: The paddle is what drives you forward. If it falls into the water, the foam core inside will keep it afloat briefly, so don't panic — simply follow your instructor's guidance to retrieve it. That said, the foam will eventually become waterlogged and sink, so don't take your time. Beginners can kneel on the board while paddling to improve stability.
• Board: As a general rule, wider boards are more stable and are the go-to choice for most SUP operators. Narrower, elongated boards are faster and better suited for racing.

Before heading out on any ocean activity, always factor in the environmental conditions of the day — wave height, weather, and tides. Before entering the water, double-check your equipment and make sure your life jacket fits properly. Wearing a UPF rash guard, sunglasses, and a hat is highly recommended. Packing light snacks and a large bottle of water in a waterproof, floatable bag is also a great idea. But above all else, the most important rule is simple: listen to your instructor.

NEPTUNE: "Every dazzling summer — may you carve out a moment of solitude for yourself. Leave behind the noise of reality, ride the wind, and paddle toward the other side of the sea. The wind is its breath; the waves are its heartbeat. I dive into the ocean, let my hands glide through the water, and drift with the current — the heartbeat of the sea."

What SUP Experiences Are Available?

For this feature, we joined an experience session with NEPTUNE STUDIO. NEPTUNE — named after the god of the sea — is a team made up of graduates from Taiwan's Ocean University, channeling their passion for the ocean into SUP. From May to August, SUP experience sessions follow the coastline from Zhaoming Temple all the way to Elephant Nose Rock. Starting in September, as the northeast monsoon picks up, activities shift to the calm river waters of Fulong's Shuangxi River.

SUP has become one of the most sought-after water sports in recent years, and combining it with a sailboat journey extends the range of paddling adventures while opening the experience up to a wider age range. This year, the team launched a light ocean day-trip that pairs sailing with SUP. Groups depart from Bisha Fishing Harbor, with sweeping views of Keelung Island along the way, before anchoring at Shen'ao Bay in New Taipei City. From there, participants paddle their SUP boards through the sea cave beneath Elephant Nose Rock — experiencing the iconic formation from an angle most visitors never see.

Each day, the experience runs across three departure slots — and each one holds its own kind of magic. At the sunrise session, you'll witness the sea turn into a luminous jelly before the sun even peeks above the horizon. During the morning session, the blazing sun scatters light across water so intoxicatingly blue you'll want to leap right in. And in the afternoon session, you'll find yourself transfixed as the setting sun transforms the entire sea into a smoldering blaze of amber and gold.

People say the ocean is easy to get hooked on — no matter what time you visit, it always leaves you spellbound. This light ocean day-trip is perfect for water lovers and equally welcoming to those who prefer to stay dry. SUP closes the gap between us and the sea, while sailing extends our embrace of that deep, endless blue — a way of life unto itself.

Further reading:

• Neptune Official Website
• Neptune Facebook
• Neptune Instagram
• @kionabunny
• @summerbreak1218
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