Riding the crest of a wave

Her achievement has resonated far beyond last year's Games.

"Having a Chinese surfer compete in the Olympics is significant for casual surfing enthusiasts like us," said Lin Jianfeng, a surfer from Shantou.

"Without her participation, it would be difficult for us to watch the television broadcast domestically and appreciate world-class surfers riding massive waves."

Perry Hatchett, the former head judge for the Association of Surfing Professionals (now World Surf League) who currently coaches the Shandong team, sees this as a crucial developmental step.

"She is absolutely the best," Hatchett remarked, noting her visible joy for the sport.

He emphasized that competing internationally is key to her growth, allowing her to experience diverse conditions from China's sand breaks to the coral reefs of the Maldives and Australia.

"Surfing in such varied conditions teaches you to navigate different ocean situations," he explained.

"You learn to read the ocean, to identify the good spots, to find safe places for an easy paddle out. The key is to work with the ocean, not against it. If you fight the ocean, you'll never win."