Surf Nation | China's Surfing History
Clip: Season 7 Episode 1 | 1m 19sVideo has Closed Captions
The creation of a surf program of young Chinese athletes with its eyes set on the Olympics.
In less than a decade, surfing has become a sport in China for both recreation and profession. The country now has a national team and hosts competitions all with its eyes set on the Olympics. How did the Chinese government and a group of international coaches create a program of impressive young athletes in such a short time? Head coach Grant Thomas and assistant coach Matt Clark explain.
Funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.
Surf Nation | China's Surfing History
Clip: Season 7 Episode 1 | 1m 19sVideo has Closed Captions
In less than a decade, surfing has become a sport in China for both recreation and profession. The country now has a national team and hosts competitions all with its eyes set on the Olympics. How did the Chinese government and a group of international coaches create a program of impressive young athletes in such a short time? Head coach Grant Thomas and assistant coach Matt Clark explain.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[Matt Clark] I don't know of man other places in the world who have designed a program arou like they have, at the moment.
(crowd cheering) - Whoo-hoo (speaking indistinctl - [Matt] And they're bringing in from other places around the wor 'cause they don't add surfers in - Main thing is wait for the big 'cause the smaller wave are gonna stop breaking now, 'cause the tides coming through.
(translator speaking in Mandarin (hands clapping) - The more time we're spending, we're learning more about the Chinese culture.
From a coaching point of view, it's a little bit more regimente So probably they're a little bit more coachable.
(skateboard wheels rattling) You see their willingness to lea (skateboarders speaking in Mandarin) (instructor laughing) (skater speaking in Mandarin) - We've explained the time it takes to become a good surfer and the leaders wanna short trac You know, if we'd say it takes 1 to become a professional, they wanna do it in 10, But if anyone's gonna do it quicker, it's China.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.