▲The above photos were taken before COVID-19.

Do you remember SKinno People’s guest in June, SK Primacor Europe’s member Montserrat Garcia Estopa, who enjoys nautical sports after work? This time, we would like to introduce another member who also loves the sea and shares similar hobby with Montserrat: Han Sang-wan, a SK Energy’s employee working at Refinery Operation Unit 3. Let’s meet him to learn more about kitesurfing, his favorite activity after work.

Q1. Nice to meet you. Could you introduce a little bit about your hobby?

Water sports are very diverse with many activities such as windsurfing, sailing, and paddle boarding, etc. Among them, what I enjoy the most are windsurfing and kite surfing. Kite surfing is a sport that combines surfing and large kites such as paragliding equipment. It has emerged since the late 20^th century, when many surfers in Europe and Hawaii started looking for a way to surf even on days with no big waves. What sets it apart from other water sports is that you can enjoy it as long as the wind blows.

Q2. What motivated you to start kitesurfing?

I joined at SK Innovation’s Ulsan Complex (hereinafter referred to as Ulsan CLX) 30 years ago. In my 5^th year of working here, I was introduced to water sports for the first time, and it was very attractive so I became a member of the windsurfing club here. After falling in love with water sports for a while, I happened to read an article about kite surfing in a magazine. That was when kite surfing was just beginning to gain popularity abroad. I wanted to learn kite surfing right away, but unfortunately there was no place in Korea that taught kite surfing in the early 2000s. I had to ask around and then I found a kite surfing school run by Germans in Pattaya, Thailand. I decided to go there and learn it. That was how I started kite surfing and since then, I’ve been enjoying it for over 20 years.

▲ Han Sang-wan has been enjoying kite surfing for over 20 years. The above photo was taken before COVID-19.

Q3. What do you like the most about kite surfing?

As mentioned earlier, even on days when there are no waves, you can enjoy kite surfing as long as the wind blows. Besides, water sports are difficult to enjoy when the weather is cold, but kite surfing is not limited by the season because you can wear a dry suit or thick suit. These days, new sports such as snow kite, which combines a snowboard and a kite to ride on the snow, and mountain kite, which combines a mountain board and a kite to ride on the field or flat, are getting popular among surfers. In short, it is a more attractive sport because it is not limited to the condition of the sea and can be enjoyed at many places, in many occasions.

Q4. What is the most memorable place you have enjoyed kite surfing so far?

I remember my visit to Saipan in 2011. I have been to many countries in Southeast Asia, but I think the natural environment of Saipan is the best condition for water sports. In Korea, we mainly visit Jinha Beach in Ulsan, Imrang Beach in Gijang, and Dadaepo Beach in Busan. Since the COVID-19 broke out, I have not been able to go surfing. I hope the situation will get better soon so I can go surfing to my heart’s content

▲ Photo taken during his trip to Saipan in 2011

Q5. Do you have any tips for those who want to learn kite surfing?

Kite surfing is a sea sport, but you don’t need to be a good swimmer to take it. As long as you overcome your fear of water, it will be ok. You will learn rules such as how to act in a dangerous situation and traffic rules used in the sea, so you can safely start even if you are new to marine sports. In the beginning, before going out to sea, you will get lessons on a practice surfboard and kite at the beach, so you do not need to worry much.

Also, rather than starting when the summer vacation season approaches, I believe it will be better if you get training one or two months before the peak season. There are so many people on the beach during the holiday season, so there will be relatively more restrictions and higher risk of accidents. It is recommended to enjoy kite surfing after you get some certain skills.

Q6. Is there anything else that new kite surfers need to remember?

You should learn safety information from the beginning, and safety is what you should always be aware of. Kite surfing is a sport that attracts the attention of others, so it is easy to show off your skills or be greedy. Always be humble in front of nature and focus on enjoying the wind and waves when you are kite surfing!

▲ Han Sang-wan has been enjoying kite surfing for over 20 years. The above photo was taken before COVID-19.

Q7. Do you have any goal you would like to achieve while enjoying kite surfing?

Although water sports have become more common, many people have yet to experience this attractive activity. Korea has excellent condition of being surrounded by the sea on three sides, so I would like to promote various water sports to make them more popular.

I also hope that more members in our company will take water sports as a hobby. I want to share with my co-workers not only talks about our jobs but also happy and enjoyable activities like this. A common hobby can bridge the generation gap among people as well. I hope that the day when we can enjoy water sports together at Ulsan CLX will come soon.