Interview With SUP Surfer Tim-Mei

Wen–Ling Chou  aka: Tim Mei

Paiwen Team/ SUP Surfer
Date of birth: March 11th 1987.
Resident: Hengchun Town, Pingtung County, Taiwan.
Languages: speaks and writes Chinese, Japanese and English.
Stance: Goofy foot.
Favorite waves: Jialeshuei Taiwan, Noosa Heads Australia and Riyuewan Hainan Island.
Favorite maneuver: Nose riding and round house cut back.
Inspiration: Joel Tudor, Kassia Meador and Steph Gilmore.

When did you get into Stand Up Paddleboarding? 
I remember the very first time that I surfed on SUP was three years ago when I was living in Australia, you know, lots people SUP there… One afternoon my friends and I were so bored since the wave was super tiny so we decided to try something different or things we never do just to find the excitement, so we got off the couch and went SUP Surfing. It’s different from surfing on regular surfboards and very challenging, and I think I got into it since I caught a wave and literally surf on it (so stoked), but I never get a chance to do it continuously as I said. Great 
thing is that I met the Paiwen team last year and got a chance to pick it up again, now I can SUP whenever I want here in Taiwan, it is great!! (Smile)

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Why SUPing? 
It has many benefits… We all know doing exercise like running, swimming and so on 30 minutes three times a week will keep you in good shape and build up your energy level, it’s just the same but more fun, It’s fun because it’s friendly. For me as an athlete I have been told/taught that I have to do different kinds of workouts to keep my body strength, now comes a perfect choice which allows me to combine training and surfing together for more fun, so why not SUP?

Do you think it's important that there is a women's specific 
paddleboard? Why? 
Of course! I’ve surfed on different kinds of SUPs, choosing a nice board that fits you it key. Having a shorter, lighter SUP designed specifically for females is definitely a plus, it helps to pick up SUPing quicker that’s for sure!

What is your favorite Stand Up Paddleboarding route?
Ocean! There’s no word to describe the feeling of riding waves. I mean, I’d like to cruise rivers and lakes to explore that’s for sure, but as a surfer, I would like to be able to ride anything on a wave. SUP Surfing is a new challenge for me, it’s not easy but I enjoy in it. There’s no fun if it’s too easy!

About Tim Mei
Born and raised in Taiwan, Tim Mei has been surfing for 9 years now. Starting on long board which is her first love and in recent year’s also showing skill in short board riding. She started competing 6 years ago in local Taiwan competitions and from the experience decided to pursue a dream and surf internationally.
 
In the last three years she has competed in Japan, Australia, Mainland China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in ASP, JASP, ISC and ASC contests. For her efforts she has been awarded entry for two years running now to the ASP Worlds Women’s Swatch Pro China in Hainan. In doing so she is the youngest and the most successful female surfer from Taiwan. 

She has competed in the ISC and ASC circuits Open Long board division being the only women in the division against seasoned pro men long boarders and enjoying the challenge. 

Coming from a traditional Taiwanese family background, Tim Mei has fought hard to follow her ambitious dream, and with help from her family and friends has to date achieved solid success in her chosen path in life.  

She has drawn from the people and new friends she has met in the journey of surfing to formulate a plan for her future. Her determination to be a success shows in her competitive nature, but her love of surfing and the experience it has given her also becomes apparent when helping others become involved to share that feeling.
  

In Tim Mei’s own words “There’s just so much to see and to learn by hanging around with the surfers from all over the world regardless their background and surfing level. I just want to exceed my surfing level and also get to experience different surfing lifestyle and thoughts so I can learn and hopefully share it with surfers in Taiwan.” 

While she will follow her plan to surf as many competitions as she can in coming years, her long term plan is to show other girls in Taiwan and in Asia that anyone can be a success not only in surfing but in life in general, if you  have a dream to follow. The spirit of life comes out when you have special happy people to help and support you regardless of the results, Tim Mei has found this spirit in the surfing family around her. 

For more details on Tim Mei’s she can also be found at:

www.facebook.com/haze3110 ; http://instagram.com/wenlingchou