1,200 Gather at Jeju’s Gimnyeong Beach After Swimming Season Ends as Sandy Shore Becomes a Sports Arena

【Financial News Jeju = Jeong Yong-bok】 About 1,200 people, including athletes and spectators, gathered at Gimnyeong Beach on Jeju after the swimming season had ended. The beach, used for summer water activities, became a sports venue in the fall, showing the potential for tourism offerings that are not tied to a particular season.
According to the Jeju Tourism Organization on the 12th, about 1,200 people, including athletes and spectators, attended the ‘2026 Jeju Beach Games,’ held on the 10th at Gimnyeong Beach and around Gujwa Sports Park in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City. It was the first event of its kind, hosted by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and organized by the Jeju Tourism Organization.
The event was conceived as a participatory sports festival combining Jeju’s coastal scenery with functional fitness. Functional fitness combines activities such as running and weight training to test strength, endurance and physical coordination. One distinctive feature was moving competitions usually held in indoor gyms to the beach and outdoor sports facilities.
The competition had three categories: mixed teams of three, men’s pairs and women’s pairs. Participants tackled four competition stations in sequence, testing their strength, endurance and teamwork. Spectators cheered as competitors ran across the sand and lifted heavy exercise equipment.

The winning teams were ‘Sudongtae’ in the mixed team-of-three category, ‘Ri Kkabuljimara’ in the men’s pairs category and ‘Honey Badgers’ in the women’s pairs category.
The organizers also offered activities that general visitors, not just athletes, could take part in. Programs included beach yoga and running, Muscle Beach, an outdoor strength-training activity, keg toss, in which participants throw heavy barrels, as well as paddleboarding and kiteboarding.
A participant from outside Jeju who came to compete said, “Running on the sand in the sea breeze and lifting exercise equipment felt different from the indoor competitions I’d taken part in before.” A tourist who visited Gimnyeong with three generations of family also said, “The event, held after the beach’s swimming season had ended, gave us a reason to visit Jeju’s beaches.”
The competition has drawn attention for its attempt to extend the period when beaches are used. The plan is to diversify seasonal tourism offerings by connecting tourism demand, which is concentrated on summer beachgoing, with fall sports and activities.

Jeju Province and the Jeju Tourism Organization plan to expand the competition and strengthen ties with local restaurants, cafes and accommodation providers. They will also gradually work to attract international athletes, establish an event operations system on an international level and collaborate with sports brands.
Jeju Tourism Organization President Seungchul Ko said, “By adding sports content to the beaches in the fall, we have created a new reason to visit,” adding, “We will work to attract international athletes and collaborate with sports brands, while developing an operating model that delivers tangible benefits to the local community.”


[email protected] Jeong Yong-bok Reporter