Get on board

Wax up your board, dust off your embarrassingly loud board shorts and stock up on beer – the third annual Hainan Surf Open takes place next month and makes for the ultimate beach festival in China.

Each year, more than 100 surfers, sun-worshipers and beach revelers take over the picturesque Riyuewan Bay, an hour north of Sanya. Expect loads of surfing, live music, a giant bonfire and succulent seafood – it’s China’s mellow answer to Koh Phangan’s full moon party. With any luck, the bay will be producing glassy, clean left-hand barrels to carve up all weekend.

Last year, Wingnut, the surf legend of cult film Endless Summer, emerged triumphant in the longboard division, and rumor has it he’ll be back this year. But this is strictly an amateur competition, which means anyone can enter – pro or not. There are tons of prizes up for grabs, including premium boards. Heats are open to both men and women and the emphasis is on fun, not winning.

If surfing isn’t your thing there’s still plenty to soak up – tropical rainforests, wildlife parks, busy beaches, deserted beaches, world class resorts, affable locals and… Russians.

Yes, throw a stick along the promenade in Dadonghai and you’ll hit several of them. They tend to infiltrate the place during the summer months and generally forgo surfing for vodka-fuelled bar crawls. They are to Hainan what the Brits are to Ibiza – louche, but generally well behaved.

Competition info
The two-day event kicks off on Sunday, November 7. To compete, the entrance fee is RMB400, but it’s totally free if you’re just coming to watch. Boards are available to rent at the site. Contact Brendan@surfinghainan.com to sign up or visit www.surfinghainan.com.

How to get there
Flights to Hainan leave daily from Hongqiao and Pudong and start from RMB500 each way. Visit elong.com for bookings.

Where to stay
For a luxury stay it has to be the Le Meridien Shimei Bay (898 6252 8888). Prices start at RMB1,398 including transfers. The resort has infinity swimming pools and rooms that open onto the beach. This is the nearest high-end hotel to the competition beach, only five minutes by car. Right on the beach is the 21st Century Hotel (898 6258 5588) for a clean but cheaper stay at RMB250-300 per night and RMB300 taxi ride from Sanya airport.

What to eat
There are local restaurants on the bay serving local seafood and Hainan staples, including noodles and rice with spicy yellow sauce. Expect to pay less than RMB50 for a hearty dinner.