Online Alert: 2026 APSS Asia Tour Taiwan – Final Day
Jialeshuei, Taiwan – October 5, 2026: The Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS Asian Tour and Grom Patrol Taiwan wrapped up yesterday, crowning champions across the APSS Men’s and Women’s Open divisions, the APSS Longboard divisions, and the inaugural Grom Patrol Taiwan Under 18 and Under 16 Boys and Girls divisions.
The five-day event brought together surfers from across Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Hawaii and other parts of Asia, with competitors facing challenging conditions throughout the competition. Most of the event was contested in waves of only 1–2 feet, considerably smaller than the 3–6 foot swell that Jialeshuei typically receives at this time of year.
Despite the small conditions, surfers adapted to the waves and produced strong performances, with local knowledge proving especially valuable.
Chen Sheng Yang takes double victory
Leading the way was Jialeshuei local 15-year-old Chen Sheng Yang, who claimed both the APSS Men’s Open title and the Grom Patrol Under 16 Boys title.
Chen had already made an impression in the Grom Patrol Boys divisions, winning the Under 16 and finishing runner-up in the Under 18 before going on to take the APSS Men’s Open title. His APSS victory earned him $1,500 in prize money, while his Grom Patrol Under 16 win secured a place in next August’s Grom Patrol Grand Final in Bali.
With the small waves making conditions particularly challenging, Chen said local knowledge and simply finding the right waves were key.
“I’m surprised to win, and I’m so happy. The ocean just gave me some waves and so I could win the heats,” said Chen modestly.
The Bali Grand Final will be his first Grom Patrol Grand Final.
“This is my first Grom Patrol experience so I’m really happy to win it. I’ve been to Bali a couple times, and my favorite thing in Bali is Nasi Campur. I’m really happy to go to Bali for the Grand Final next year.”
Miyasaka successfully defends women’s title
Japan’s Maiko Miyasaka once again proved her ability to perform at Jialeshuei, regardless of conditions, successfully defending the APSS Women’s Open title she won last year and taking home the $1,500 first-place prize.
Miyasaka, who comes from Hokkaido, has developed a strong connection with Jialeshuei and said the familiarity of the break has helped make it feel like a second home.
“I’m so happy to take the win again. This place is like my home break, so it really feels familiar to me. Definitely I’ll keep coming back.”
Wanyu Chen sweeps Grom Patrol Girls divisions
Another standout performer was 14-year-old Wanyu Chen from Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast.
Chen won both the Grom Patrol Under 16 and Under 18 Girls divisions while also finishing third in the APSS Women’s Open. Having surfed for six years, she displayed mature surfing and heat management throughout the competition.
Her two Grom Patrol victories earned her a place in the Bali Grand Final.
“This Grom Patrol has been a good experience and I’ve learned a lot,” said Chen. “I’ve been to Bali before twice and I’m excited to go back for the Grand Final. My favorite thing about Bali is the waves. The waves are really good.”
Thailand’s Aonnarin Engsrisawang also enjoyed a strong Grom Patrol campaign. After winning the Under 18 Girls division at the Grom Patrol Thailand event, her first trip to Taiwan saw her finish runner-up in both the Under 16 and Under 18 divisions at Jialeshuei.
Despite the smaller-than-expected waves, Aonnarin was happy with her experience.
“I love it here, it’s chill with such good vibes, like really surfer vibes,” she said. “I expected the waves to be bigger as I know it gets really good here, just this time it was small. But I got two second-place finishes so I’m good with that. I definitely want to come back again.”
Miller and Han take Longboard titles
The APSS Longboard divisions were completed on Saturday the 3rd of October, with Hawaii’s Nique Miller taking the Women’s title and Taiwan’s Tsung Lin Han claiming the Men’s victory.
Miller arrived in Taiwan after traveling to the UK to collect surfboards and competing in a longboard event in France. Her boards were delayed in transit because of flooding in Bangkok, but fortunately arrived in Jialeshuei in time for the final.
“It was a real adventure to get here with all that happened along the way, but that was a super fun final with some really talented women,” said Miller. “So glad I made it here. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly.”
Despite the lack of a larger swell during the event, Miller said she could see the potential of Jialeshuei as a surfing destination.
“I’ll definitely come back here next year. The locals have a high caliber of surfing, the food is delicious, and although we didn’t get great waves, I see that potential and know it gets really good here.”
The Men’s Longboard final went down to the wire, with Tsung Lin Han taking the victory over Jialeshuei local Pan Hai Hsin (Rory MacDonald).
Han waited until the final minutes of the 20-minute final to find the wave that would secure the win, posting the highest single-wave score of the heat, a 6.57, with a well-executed nose ride.
After a long wait on the beach for the judges’ decision, Han was eventually lifted onto his friends’ shoulders in celebration.
“I’m so happy to get this win, to get a good nose ride at the last minute,” said Han. “I was really lucky to get that good wave, as it was definitely challenging. I come down here every year for this contest, as I enjoy it so much, so to win it’s just the best feeling!”
Building surfing and tourism in Pingtung
The Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS Asian Tour and Grom Patrol Taiwan event was sponsored by the Pingtung Government, organized by TORSA, and sanctioned by the Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC).
TORSA, ASC and the Pingtung Government have worked together to support South Taiwan’s surfing community since 2015, and the Jialeshuei event is known as the longest-running surfing competition in the region.
Beyond providing local and visiting surfers with the opportunity to compete against an international field and measure their progress, the event is also designed to increase awareness of the Pingtung area as a destination for surfing and other watersports, as well as biking, exploring, food and cultural experiences.
TORSA Chairman Chen-Fu Chu praised the continued support from the Pingtung Government and the performances of the athletes despite the difficult conditions.
“We’re very grateful for the support of the Pingtung Government to make this event grow and get better each year,” said Chu. “Although the waves were small this time, the performances by the surfers were nothing short of amazing, and we’ve seen such great improvement each year by our local athletes.”
Chu said Chen Sheng Yang’s APSS Men’s Open victory was an important milestone for the local surfing community, while also highlighting Wanyu Chen’s two Grom Patrol victories.
“Having a Jialeshuei local, Chen Sheng Yang, win the APSS Men’s Division is a big milestone, and we are very proud of him, and also very proud of Wanyu Chen winning both Grom Patrol Girls divisions.”
He also thanked the ASC for its technical and media support and for bringing Grom Patrol to Pingtung for the first time.
“We hope for even bigger things next year, and a big thanks to all our crew and the sponsors that put so much into making this event a success.”
Connecting surfing with the local community
The event also provided an opportunity for local businesses to showcase Pingtung products, with food, clothing, drinks and handicrafts displayed and sold in the event parking area.
The same area hosted the final awards presentation, where surfers received their prize money, trophies and event gifts, bringing together competitors, organizers, supporters and the local community to celebrate the completion of the event.
The Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS Asian Tour and Grom Patrol Taiwan was also broadcast live, extending the event’s reach beyond the beach and providing an international audience with access to the competition.
Full competition results and rankings:
Grom Patrol Taiwan – Live Heats: https://liveheats.com/events/548474
APSS Taiwan – Live Heats: https://liveheats.com/events/548475
Event broadcast:
Taiwan TORSA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taiwanTORSA
Follow: @asiansurfco | @grom.patrol | @torsataiwan | @pingtungtrip
About the Asian ProAm Surf Series (APSS)
The Asian ProAm Surf Series is an Asian-wide competition initiative designed to support and elevate surfing development by bridging the gap between grassroots events and global platforms.
The series assists talented surfers in developing toward professional competition while offering traveling surfers opportunities to experience new destinations, meet new people and participate in officially sanctioned events through the Asian Surf Cooperative.
About Grom Patrol
Founded in 2019 by Tipi Jabrik, Grom Patrol has become a leading youth surf training camp and competition series in Asia.
Originally launched in Bali, the series has continued to expand, providing young surfers with a positive, supportive and competitive environment where they can develop their skills, build friendships and embrace the surfing lifestyle.
About the Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC)
The Asian Surf Cooperative is an Asia-wide organization dedicated to the growth and development of surfing through high-quality events, coaching and media services. With more than two decades of experience, ASC continues to support the current and next generation of surfers.
Text & Photo Credits: Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS Asian Tour & Grom Patrol Taiwan 2026
Video Credits: Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS Asian Tour & Grom Patrol Taiwan 2026