Surfing Competition and National Marine Sports Festival to Be Held Consecutively
The Geobukseom area in Jeongwang-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province, is set to become a global hub for marine leisure this summer. In July and August, large-scale marine sports events, including the World Surf League (WSL) Siheung Korea Open International Surfing Competition and the 17th National Marine Sports Festival, will be held consecutively at Wave Park and along the waterfront of Geobukseom, drawing the attention of surfing fans and marine sports enthusiasts from home and abroad.
World's First Artificial Wave Pool to Host WSL 6000 Point Competition in Siheung
From July 18th to 20th, the '2025 WSL Siheung Korea Open International Surfing Competition' will take place over three days at Wave Park in Geobukseom. This competition, returning after two years, will see around 200 renowned surfers from 12 countries compete for top honors. Notably, this will be the world's first 'Shortboard Qualifying Series (QS) 6000 point event' held in an artificial surfing pool to earn Olympic qualification points, demonstrating the prestige and importance of this competition. Alongside this, a Longboard Qualifying Series 1000 point event will also be held, promising fierce competition among the world's top-tier athletes.
The role of Wave Park has been crucial in Siheung City's ability to attract such a prestigious international event. As the world's largest artificial surfing facility, Wave Park consistently provides optimal waves regardless of weather conditions and boasts accommodations and ancillary facilities capable of accommodating a large number of athletes and spectators, making it an ideal venue for international competitions. City officials are committed to thorough preparations for a successful event.
A Festival of Marine Sports: The National Marine Sports Festival
Following this, from August 30th to September 2nd, the '17th National Marine Sports Festival' will be held over four days throughout the Geobukseom area. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Council, and organized by Siheung City and the Korea Sea Cadet Corps Federation, this festival will showcase a variety of competitions across four official sports: yachting, canoeing, underwater/fin swimming, and triathlon, along with three unofficial sports: dragon boat, rubber boat, and flyboard. Approximately 100,000 athletes, families, and spectators are expected to visit Geobukseom, igniting the end of summer with the passion of marine sports.
During the National Marine Sports Festival, the '4th Siheung Mayor's Cup International Surfing Competition Korea Open' will also be held concurrently. This event will contribute to expanding the base of surfing and boosting the local economy, while also providing another festive arena for surfing enthusiasts. The opening ceremony of the festival will be held on August 30th and the closing ceremony on September 2nd at the Geobukseom coastal deck. In addition to the competitions, various programs will be available for citizens to participate in and enjoy, such as marine leisure experiences and marine cultural events, making it a sports festival full of unique experiences and enjoyment beyond mere competition.
Geobukseom, Opening a New Horizon for Marine Tourism
Siheung's Geobukseom is solidifying its position as a key hub for marine leisure tourism, going beyond just being a venue for competitions. The world's largest artificial surfing facility, Wave Park, a 35-meter deep diving facility, a marina with berths for 90 vessels, and the Marine Ecological Science Center, scheduled to open in June this year, are all concentrated in one place, offering diverse marine content to visitors.
Furthermore, Siheung City is accelerating the revitalization of marine tourism on Geobukseom by promoting the construction of the nation's largest aquarium, with a capacity of 12,000 tons, slated for opening in 2028. In addition, synergy is being created through connections with surrounding tourist resources such as the scenic bridge, Baegot Hanul Park seawater pool, Oido Red Lighthouse, and 'Oasis,' a cultural and artistic space remodeled from a retired patrol vessel. A Siheung City official stated, "By successfully hosting this international surfing competition and the National Marine Sports Festival, we will promote the charm of Geobukseom to the world and actively attract domestic and international tourists, thereby emerging as a true mecca for marine leisure tourism." Geobukseom will continue to infinitely expand its potential as a complex marine tourism city where marine sports, culture, and leisure harmonize.
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