A day in life of a surfer who left the busy city and settled in Yangyang

There is a surf shop in Seorak beach, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do. This place opened in April 2016 and is well known for its cleanliness and great teaching skills. Word of mouth made it one of the top five surf shops in Yangyang. What made Ms. Young-sook Bang, who worked as a huge sports center manager leading a normal life, give up the glamorous city life and head to the sea? We followed her ordinary day that resembled both a photoshoot and a vacation and listened to her story.

I think it was about 5 years ago. I was feeling good about my career, and I was getting used to the busy everyday life when I wondered about having a more leisurely, happier life. I had many options, but I decided to go for something that I wanted the most. I had thought about it vaguely for a while, thinking it would happen someday; so I decided to rush moving to the countryside.

Me and my husband surfed for fun, and we thought through the things we could do and we wanted to do, which naturally led us to settle in Yangyang. It was our first time doing this, so there were many trials and errors. But we finally were able to open our very own, small surf shop. It was a small achievement that stemmed from the thought of ‘it would be really happy to do what we really want to do’.

It wasn’t easy giving up a steady job and setting out for something completely new. It required courage. Even if you do something you love, it won’t make you happy if it didn’t put food on the table. It was especially not easy because I was getting recognized at work and my career was doing very well.

But I thought it was much more important to enjoy what I really wanted to do in life. It wasn’t about making much money. Now I am much happier than stressing out working in the busy city.

The biggest inconvenience of leaving Seoul is not being able to see my family in Seoul as much as I want to. On the other hand, the best thing about it is that friends who I didn’t get to see often in Seoul visit Yangyang frequently. I see them even more now that I am here. How ironic?

I gave up everything I had in Seoul and moved to Yangyang to make myself happy but also to deliver happiness surfing brings to everyone who visits here. Whenever I see that my student falls over repeatedly but overcomes it and finally rides the wave, smiling, I feel even happier. It feels like I owe so much happiness to a lot of people.

Many things are different from when I was living in Seoul. First, I got tanned a lot. And I feel that my mind is a lot healthier. I feel more relaxed and I sing with the patika instead of struggling with a computer mouse. Most of all, I am less stressed, and I like how I can spend my time just for myself.

It’s too cold during January to March, and waves are too rough. So I don’t teach classes during this time as it is too dangerous for beginners. During the winter season when we are closed, I usually go on a surf trip abroad. I experience the surfing life and culture of other countries and take lessons to form our surfing curriculum. Of course, the biggest happiness lies in the fact I can surf in warm southern waters, leaving the cold winter Korea behind.

I settled on the Seorak beach in Yangyang among so many great beaches in Korea for the safety of the beginner surfers. It’s not so deep and is ideal for those who try out surfing for the first time to enjoy the waves.

I took on surfing 10 years ago when my boyfriend (now husband) suggested it. At first, I wanted to give up as it was too difficult, but I got so into it when I started to understand waves with patience.

I experienced an unknown thrill when I first stood up from the board. I guess that’s what drove me from Seoul to Yangyang. I still physically remember the joy.

When I see waves and weather that change every day from the sea, I am free from all unnecessary thoughts and stress. I think this is the biggest advantage surfing provides.

I have a goal. I want to change Korea’s surfing culture system which is focused entirely on beginners at the moment. So I plan to open more intermediate classes for people to enjoy more fun, faster, and safer surfing.

I heard that Korea’s surfing population grew fivefold, from 40,000 in 2014 to 200,000 in 2017. It’s expected to go over 300,000 this year. It’s a baby step compared to other countries with a huge surfing culture, but I also want to contribute to leading Korea’s original surfing culture.

Operating a surf shop makes it difficult to separate leisure time and working hours, but it’s good. I consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy free time while working.

I like getting in a great car that will take me to great waves. I will put my long board on the roof and a short board in my trunk, riding along the coastline until I find the wave I want. Driving, riding the waves, that’s the trip I want.

Photography by Eun-seon Jo

Model Young-sook Bang