New world

Liu Yingjie, 51, said he used to have scant knowledge of the sea, even though he had swum at the coast every summer since childhood. He had never ventured out to sea until 2019, when he started kayaking. Later, he took up paddleboarding.

"It was as though a whole new world opened up for me. I used to look out to sea, but now when I'm on the paddleboard and look back at the city, this new perspective gives me a fresh view of life," Liu said.

At Yinshatan beach, about 5 km from downtown Dalian, Liu said he used to look at an island lying to the south for many times. Using a paddleboard, he can now reach the island from the beach in about 10 minutes, taking a break from bustling city life and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Each time Liu paddles to the island, he is accompanied by friends, who bring portable gas stoves for a barbecue. Sometimes, those who are adept at freediving serve up fresh seafood, including oysters, fish, sea urchins and even trepang, a precious type of sea cucumber.

"We choose to go to the island together, not only because it is more fun, but also for the sake of security," Liu said.

"It is only about 10 km from the beach, but the weather is changeable. It was sunny just now, but suddenly a thick fog came up, obscuring the coastline."

Echoing Liu's concerns, Zhao Linfeng said he has never taken his sons to sea.

"I've encountered unexpected situations such as big waves, rapid currents and fog suddenly appearing. I don't think primary school students can handle such situations by themselves. They should stay close to the shore on paddleboards, as safety is the priority," he said.

When he is not with his family, Zhao Linfeng likes to explore islands and caves.

"This is still a niche field involving only a small group of people, but it is worth exploring," he said.

Paddleboarders view Dalian as a picturesque city full of fun. They find the local skyline delightful, and the coastline even more enjoyable－with cliffs, caves and a rich landscape eroded by the sea.

When Zhang Tinghui, 47, first saw the coastal landscape south of Dalian on one of her friend's social media accounts, she was deeply attracted to the wonders of nature.

"I thought I could only see such wonderful scenery up close if I used a paddleboard," she said.

Zhang promptly bought a board and set out to explore the coastline.