Taoyuan: An extreme sports enthusiast from Switzerland has etched his name in history by becoming the first documented person to kitesurf across the Taiwan Strait.

According to Focus Taiwan, Geza Scholtz, 43, embarked on his journey from Taiwan’s Dongju Island, one of the Matsu Islands, on July 2, and successfully reached Yongan Fishing Port in Taoyuan. Standing on a surfboard and propelled solely by the wind, Scholtz covered a distance of 165 kilometers in ten hours. His inspiration for this feat came after learning about the disappearance of windsurfing pioneer Arnaud de Rosnay, who vanished during a similar attempt in 1984. Although Scholtz originally intended to kitesurf from China to Taiwan, political tensions and the complicated application process led him to modify his plan, resulting in an additional 40 kilometers to his journey.

On the day of his expedition, the weather conditions were favorable, with northern winds replacing the usual southern winds of summer, providing an ideal window for the jo
urney. Scholtz described the experience as a test of his limits, as he battled seasickness and challenging weather conditions. The journey was marked by 2.5-meter waves and winds reaching 20-25 knots, which required Scholtz to rely on a 12-square-meter kite, the second largest in his collection. Despite the challenges, he persevered and continued without stopping to change the kite, an endeavor that could have risked the completion of his journey.

Upon reaching the shores of Taoyuan, Scholtz reflected on his two-year preparation for the expedition. He expressed a message to the youth, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and embrace life beyond screens. Scholtz, who spent 2.5 weeks in Taiwan before and after his journey, expressed gratitude to the locals who assisted him, highlighting the warmth and kindness of the Taiwanese people. Having traveled to numerous countries, Scholtz acknowledged the exceptional support he received in Taiwan, which left a lasting impression on him.