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Rooftop party hosted by Busan Aussie Club and Surf on the Sunset.

Out of my social activities in Busan, this Saturday’s was the most fun. It was planned, like my several previous Saturday nights, by Busan Aussie Club. If you’d prefer a video alternative to reading this article, you can watch how the day went here.

Garry Ho

Garry Ho

Garry was born in Hong Kong but moved to Sydney, Australia at an early age.

Paddle boarding with Sunset on the Beach

Driving towards Suyeong District’s Diamond Bridge.

Gwangalli Beach is great for kids and families.

The weather was made for a day at the beach. In my Uber (which apparently is not permitted for locals to download), I was pleasantly surprised to see a structure very similar to the Anzac Bridge of Sydney, Australia’s inner-west area. Gwangan Bridge had its construction finished in 2002.

Gwangalli Beach has a dedicated “SUP” (stand-up paddle-boarding) zone.

The gentle waves are also great for a dip or a swim. You have the city surrounding you. 

I arrived at Gwangalli Beach, one of Busan’s most famous, sunny hang-out spots. Seeing the number of hospitality venues around this area in Suyeong-gu and feeling its relaxed vibe, I can understand its popularity. Compared to Haeundae Beach to the east, Gwangalli felt more local and charming.

Plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars complement this famous beach in Busan.

Pedestrian pavement next to Gwangalli Beach, or Gwangan Beach.

Step onto the fine sand of the beach and you will notice various tents with different names. These belong to different paddle-boarding companies. I joined the tent called “Surf on the Sunset” with its distinctive octopus logo.

Busan Aussie Club event attendees being taught by a Surf on the Sunset instructor. 

Did you know that stand-up paddle-boarding is a fast growing water sport with international competitions?

Did you know that paddle boarding has its roots in Hawaii? The sport, shorted to SUP (stand up paddle), has grown competitively and also has a big influence on Gwangalli Beach. Recognising that the peaceful waves would be ideal for the sport, a SUP zone was established by local government in 2020.

The instructions were clear and we learned a lot in a short time.

Did you know that there was a scene in the 2018 film Black Panther that was filmed at Gwangalli Beach?

A few observations. The boards used are bigger than they seem in photo. Prepare to use some effort in carrying them out into the water. While you are paddle-boarding, you should also expect to use regular upper body strength as you climb back onto the board again and again after inevitably falling into the water. This is presuming that you are a beginner and not a water-type Pokemon-human.

Stand up paddle boarding involves a lot of balance .. expect to be on and off your board a lot.

Gwangalli Beach faces Gwangan Bridge (a.k.a Diamond Bridge), which lights up beautifully at night.

A fun social meetup by Busan Aussie Club

Memorably when you’re in the water, you’ll look up to see Gwangan Bridge in front of you along with a horizon of glimmering buildings.

There are rentable beach beds and parasols, there is also a bar.

A station to blow the sand off your feet.

Part of what I appreciate about Busan Aussie Club is that it puts effort into developing connections in different contexts. It could be during a language exchange in a cafe, or in this case, fun water competitions.

It was approaching night time and everyone had showered and moved to Surf on the Sunset’s venue (Naver map link).

Surf on the Sunset provide paddle-boarding services, including teaching and renting out boards.

There was a desire to win undoubtedly, but as much as everyone was competitive, people laughed and had fun. Little teams were organised to play games. One game involved working with your team-mates to keep the board stable while your nominated “champion” would try to push the other “champion” from the other team off their board.

After fun competitions and hours in the water, everyone was eyeing these steaks.

The idea for Busan Aussie Club originated from the founder’s time in Queensland, Australia.

Friendly, competitive games are a great way to have strangers from different countries bonding. Games for individuals were played too, with a memorable one being the “planks run”. This involved everyone lining up their boards horizontally and with the boards held “stable” in the water, each person would run and jump their way from the first board until the last board.

Surf on the Sunset’s interior is creatively designed, and has shower facilities.

The festivities under way with beautifully cooked food served straight from the BBQ.

Busan Aussie Club, after a few hours at Gwangalli Beach, then had a bit of time to shower and clean-up at Surf on the Sunset’s venue just around the corner. Stomachs rumbling, we were keen for dinner.

A city view from the rooftop deck of Surf on the Sunset.

Busan Aussie Club attendees playing this legendary game.

Grilled by lovely BBQ facilities, steaks, pork cutlets, sausages and mushrooms were served. With the drinks flowing and music moving the groove, the party was underway. Busan Aussie Club’s attendees were from Denmark, China, United States, Vietnam, Australia, England and South Korea. It was lovely seeing the bonding grow from water to land. While the main floor of Surf on the Sunset is great and wonderful to host an event, the rooftop is even better. It’s picturesque, with ample seating for relaxed conversations.

Back to Gwangalli Beach, where I saw people starting fireworks with tubes that they bought nearby.

Gwangan is a popular area for expats and those looking for a more “chilled-out” alternative to Seomyeon.

11pm soon came and the party had to shift. Funny Beer was chosen as our next venue. This vibrant, foreigner-friendly pub signifies its presence with a colourful neon sign which you can see from the street next to Gwangalli Beach. It is open until late (by 3am it was still buzzing) and provides a serene view of Gwangan Bridge. 

Funny Beer is an exciting bar located on an upper floor of a building next to Gwangan Beach. Location link.

You can meet foreigners and enjoy night views of Gwangan Bridge.

During a stopover at the beach, my friend and I chatted with the starry night sky as the backdrop. After an anticipatory fizz, a firework blasted off into the sky from a spot nearby. Seeing the brilliantly bright dashes of light burst in the sky was a pretty moment to mark this memorable day. 

Beer pong never gets old.

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