Photo: Courtesy of the Chinese Yachting Association

The national surfing championships kicked off on Thursday in Beihai, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with more than 100 athletes competing for the top prize in the four-day competition.

Surfers have had a packed schedule in recent weeks, as most of them just finished competing at the National Games.

Since surfing was named as an Olympic sport in 2016, every provincial sports authority has established surfing teams, as China aims to cultivate its own stars in the sport.

The coastal city of Beihai, meanwhile, has been regarded as a popular venue for surfers in recent years thanks to its wave conditions.

Photo: Courtesy of the Chinese Yachting Association