Xiaoliuqiu Island
From Openwaterpedia
Wen-Erh Hsu completed the first recorded 12.69 km coastal swim around Xiao Liuqiu, finishing at Vase Rock after 5 hours 15 minutes
Wen-Erh Hsu completed the first recorded 12.69 km coastal swim around Xiao Liuqiu in 5 hours 15 minutes
Wen-Erh Hsu and 9 swimmers attempted to swim from the Taiwanese mainland to Xiao Liuqiu, but they aborted the swim short of their goal on 15 December 2023
Wen-Erh Hsu completed a 15 km crossing from the Taiwanese mainland to Xiao Liuqiu in 6 hours 30 minutes
Xiaoliuqiu Island (or Liuqiu, 琉球嶼, Liúqiú, 琉球, Liouciou, Liuchiu, Liu-chiu, Liu-ch'iu, 小琉球, Xiǎo Liúqiú, Xiao Liuqiu, Siaoliouciou, Sio Liu-khiu, Lambay, Lamay, Lamey Island, Samaji, Tugin, Golden Lion Island) is a coral island in the Taiwan Strait about 15 kilometers southwest of the main island of Taiwan.
The island has approximately 12,200 residents and is part of the Taiwanese Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, a series of three solo unassisted marathon swims in Taiwan.
Taiwanese Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
The Taiwanese Triple Crown includes three solo unassisted marathon swims:
- 10 km Guishan Island
- 15 km Xiaoliuqiu Island
- 35 km Green Island to Taiwan mainland
Attempts and Crossings between Xiao Liuqiu and Taiwanese Mainland
- On 22 February 2024, Wen-Erh Hsu completed the first recorded 12.69 km coastal swim around Xiao Liuqiu with one pace swimmer and one escort kayaker. She started from Zhongao Beach and swam clockwise around the island. The first half benefited from a favorable current. When she reached the southwestern tip near Sunset Pavilion, the current intensified to 2.5 knots, halting her progress for some time. Eventually, by staying very close to the reef and navigating along the rocks, she managed to push past the strong flow. After that, she continued the loop and landed at Vase Rock after 5 hours 15 minutes 17 seconds.
- On 15 December 2023, a group of 10 swimmers started from Qingzhou Beach on the Taiwanese mainland, aiming for Xiao Liuqiu on the shortest straight-line route. After about 5 km, they encountered a 2-knot southeast current that pushed them off course. They missed the landing point on the island and decided to abort the swim.
- On 5 January 2024, two swimmers including Wen-Erh Hsu completed a 15 km crossing from the Taiwanese mainland to Xiao Liuqiu on a neap tide. The first 8 km went smoothly with a moderate 1-knot southeast current. They slow-paced into the tide and reached Zhongao Beach on Xiao Liuqiu in 6 hours 30 minutes under the escort of two kayakers.
- On 15 November 2024, Wen-Erh Hsu attempted the first 15 km solo crossing from the Taiwanese mainland to Xiaoliuqiu Island, but the swim was aborted. She wore a wristwatch and tow float during the solo attempt.
- On 5 January 2025, Wen-Erh Hsu completed the first documented 15 km solo crossing from the Taiwanese mainland to Xiaoliuqiu Island. She wore a wristwatch and tow float during the solo attempt.
- On 30 November 2025, Wen-Erh Hsu attempted the first 15 km solo crossing from Zhongao Beach on Xiaoliuqiu Island to the Taiwanese mainland in 24°C water with observer Jia-chen Chu. She departed from the Taiwanese mainland at 6:12 am and headed toward Xiao Liuqiu in the company of several sea turtles. The first few hours went well, although she could feel a strong current to the south. She was stung by a Portuguese man o' war in the second hour, but kept going until the fifth hour when the escort captain informed her that she had not moved forward for the 30 minutes due to the 2.5 knot southeast current running 4 km from shore. The current was expected to switch direction with the tide, but it did not and she aborted the swim. She had not expected the influence of the Kuroshio Current on the western coast of Taiwan.
- On 14 December 2025, Wen Erh Hsu completed the first 11.16 km channel crossing from Xiǎo Liúqiú to the Taiwanese mainland in 7 hours 24 minutes.
