Penghu Reaches New International Milestone with 2026 PENGHU OCEANMAN, Attracting a Record 2,550 Participants from 23 Countries
Penghu County Government
2026-06-12
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The Penghu County Government has partnered with the international OCEANMAN organization for the first time this year, officially obtaining event licensing to host the 2026 PENGHU OCEANMAN. The event will take place on June 13 and 14 in the waters off Guanyinting in Penghu. This year's competition marks Penghu's official inclusion in the OCEANMAN World Series, joining internationally renowned race destinations such as Spain, Italy, and Boston. A total of 2,550 participants have registered for the event, including 150 international athletes from 23 countries, setting a new participation record and further showcasing Penghu's exceptional marine environment to the world.
Speaking at the press conference, Penghu County Deputy Magistrate Lin Chieh-hsing said Penghu is blessed with outstanding marine resources, while its residents consistently rank among the nation's most active participants in sports. The addition of the "International" designation and the OCEANMAN brand marks Penghu's official entry onto the global stage of international sporting events.
Lin noted that since Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu took office, the county government has been committed to developing Penghu into a premier destination for sports tourism. In addition to summer water sports events, Penghu also hosts a variety of winter sporting activities, including the Chrysanthemum Island Cup. He expressed hope that the central government would continue supporting the upgrading of baseball and softball facilities across the county, enabling diversified sporting events to further boost year-round tourism and local economic development.
Fang Jui-wen, Director-General of the Sports for All Agency, also attended the event. He announced that the Agency's Water Safety Navigation Team will host the 2026 Taiwan Water Safety Navigation Project - Water Safety First, Everyone on Board during the competition at Guanyinting. The event will feature stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking experiences, water safety education, and interactive sailing promotion booths. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate, enjoying water sports while enhancing their water safety knowledge and skills.
Competition events on June 13 will include the OCEANMAN 10 km race and the Challenge 2 km race. On June 14, events will include the 5 km Open Water Swim, the 5 km Stand-Up Paddleboard Race, as well as the Children's Experience Event, Family Experience Event, and the 500 m Three-Person Relay Experience Event.
According to the Education Department, this year's event has been upgraded across the board. Special event ambassadors include Hsu Wen-erh, the first Taiwanese woman to successfully swim across the English Channel; Daniel Huang, a current member of Taiwan's Deaf National Team; and the A Wei’s School of Adapted Physical Education Team. Through their participation, the organizers hope to promote the values of inclusive sports and equal opportunities while adding greater inspiration and warmth to this international competition.
