Paddle Into the Unknown, Embrace the Sea — A Conversation With Your Body Through SUP

Where to Play SUP in Northern Taiwan?

In the post-pandemic era, after nearly two years of battling COVID-19, we carry a weight that feels nothing like before — our routines have shifted, our rhythms disrupted. Summer vacation, once the season children look forward to most, became a time of being stranded on this beautiful island. Yet that very sense of being "stuck" has given us more time and more chances to appreciate Taiwan's beauty from a different perspective. This time, we invited a group of friends to sail aboard a yacht to Elephant Rock (象鼻岩), one of northern Taiwan's most popular water activity destinations, to experience the hottest water sport of the moment: SUP.

Shenao Elephant Rock in Ruifang, New Taipei City, is one of the Northeast Coast's most celebrated tourist attractions. It resembles an elephant standing tall, plunging its trunk straight into the sea. This remarkable marine-erosion landform has been shaped over time by crashing waves and the relentless northeast monsoon, becoming the steadfast giant that silently guards this stretch of coastline today. Visitors who walk the ocean-view trail can only see part of the elephant's head and trunk. For safety reasons, getting too close to the cliff edge for photos is not recommended, and the uneven rocky path from the entrance makes the trek difficult for the elderly and young children. Here, we'd like to introduce a completely different way to take in Elephant Rock.

What Is SUP?

Have you heard of SUP? SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle. In short, it involves standing or kneeling on a board and gliding across the water — combining the principles of paddling and surfing, but without the high level of balance surfing demands. Here's a quick introduction to the three essential pieces of SUP equipment: the leash, the paddle, and the board.

• Leash: This keeps you connected to your board in case you fall in. Attach the leash to your dominant foot and give it a quick tug to make sure it's secure.
• Paddle: The paddle is your source of propulsion. If it falls into the water, the foam core will keep it afloat briefly — so don't panic; simply follow your instructor's guidance to retrieve it. However, the foam will eventually become waterlogged and sink, so don't be too casual about it. Beginners can paddle from a kneeling position for added stability.
• Board: The wider the board, the more stable it is — which is why most SUP operators opt for wider models. Longer, narrower boards are faster and better suited for racing.

Before any ocean activity, environmental factors such as wave conditions, weather, and tides all need to be considered. Before entering the water, double-check your gear and life jacket. Physical (mineral) sunscreen rash guards, sunglasses, and a hat are all recommended. You can also pack some snacks and a large bottle of water in a waterproof, floating bag — but above all else, the most important rule is: listen to your instructor.

NEPTUNE: "Every brilliant summer, I hope you leave a little room for your own inner monologue — step away from the noise of reality, ride the wind and waves, and paddle toward the other side of the sea. The wind is its breath, the waves are its heartbeat. I dive into the ocean and gently run my hands through the water, drifting with the current… the heartbeat of the sea."

What SUP Activities Are Available?

This time, we joined an experience activity hosted by NEPTUNE STUDIO. "Neptune" is the name of the Roman god of the sea, and the team is made up of graduates from the National Taiwan Ocean University who channel their love for the ocean into SUP. From May through August, SUP experience sessions run along the coastline from Zhaoming Temple to Elephant Rock; starting in September, as the northeast monsoon picks up, sessions move to the calm river waters of Fulong's Shuangxi River.

SUP has become one of the most popular water activities in recent years, and pairing it with a sailing yacht expands the range of paddling routes while also broadening the age range of participants. This year, the team launched a light sailing journey that combines yacht and SUP, departing from Bisha Fishing Harbor, with panoramic views of Keelung Islet along the way, before arriving at Shenao Bay in New Taipei City. There, participants can paddle their SUP boards through the sea cave beneath Elephant Rock, experiencing this ocean giant from a perspective no land trail can offer.

The experience is offered in three departure slots each day, and each holds its own unexpected beauty. At the sunrise session, you'll witness the jelly-like sea just as the sun peeks over the horizon. In the morning session, the blazing sun scatters light across the water, making you want to leap right in. At the afternoon session, you'll lose yourself watching the sunset turn the entire ocean into a smoldering sea of gold.

They say the sea is easy to get lost in, and no matter the time of day, it always leaves you spellbound. This light ocean journey suits those who love the water, and equally those who are afraid to get in — SUP brings the sea closer to us, while sailing extends our desire to live immersed in that deep shade of blue.

Related links:

• Neptune Official Website
• Neptune Facebook
• Neptune Instagram
• @kionabunny
• @summerbreak1218
• Kayaking at Dongao Wuyan Cape, Yilan — Greeting the First Light of Dawn at the Starting Point of the Central Mountain Range