Enjoy SUP! ... Pukyong National University Students Experience Water Sports for the Visually Impaired

A student ambassador 'Blue' from Pukyong National University is conducting a SUP experience event for visually impaired individuals.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Dooyul] Local university students planned a SUP experience event for the visually impaired at the APP World Tour Korea competition held for the first time in Korea in Busan.

Students from the National Pukyong National University Public Relations Ambassador team ‘Blue’ organized the SUP experience event for the visually impaired on the first day of the ‘2022 APP WORLD TOUR BUSAN SUP OPEN’ competition, held for three days from the 23rd, hosted by the Korea Paddle Surf Pro Association (KAPP) and Busan Suyeong-gu Office.

Pukyong National University students prepared the event with KAPP and Busan School for the Blind students to help the visually impaired feel the charm of SUP, a sport where one stands on a board and paddles across the sea.

At the event, 15 students from Pukyong National University’s Public Relations Ambassador team ‘Blue’ conducted SUP experience activities with 13 students from Busan School for the Blind in a specially prepared 20m×10m pool on the white sand beach of Gwangalli Beach.

After receiving prior SUP training, the Pukyong National University students paired one-on-one with Busan School for the Blind students ranging in age from their 20s to 60s, assisting them to safely and enjoyably engage in activities such as moving, paddling, and yoga on the board.

Park Boseung, president of the Pukyong National University Public Relations Ambassador team ‘Blue’, said, “I hope this was an opportunity for the visually impaired to overcome their fear of water and heal their body and mind by participating in SUP activities that are usually difficult for them to experience.”