Inner Mongolia

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of northern China, bordering both the Republic of Mongolia and Russia. Far from the coast, it isn’t the first place in the world you think of for windsurfing, but intrepid Norwegian windsurfer Miriam Rasmussen travelled there to compete in a race and explore the sailing around the city of Wuhai, located on the Yellow River between the Gobi and Ordos deserts. Read on as Miriam gives us an insight into the area, its windsurfing and how China is embracing our sport.

- Miriam Rasmussen

We’re in Wuhai, Inner Mongolia, waiting for the desert thermals to kick in. Of all the unlikely places in the world I would find myself waiting for wind in order to go windsurfing, Inner Mongolia is ranking pretty high. When I received the invitation to participate in the first Wuhai international kite and windsurf race, I did some research before I answered. It turns out that the Yellow river runs through the city of Wuhai on its way to the ocean. A barrier construction north of the city slows the river down to form the Wuhai lake. Light but reliable winds swoop down from the surrounding desert and thus provide the necessary conditions for windsport devotees. The local windsurfing community is small, but very resourceful. In fact, they even convinced the city authorities and the government that windsurfing should be developed as a part of the tourist industry in the area.

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