Water leisure sports center to open at Nanji Hangang Park in May

An aerial view of the water leisure sports center at Nanji Hangang Park in Mapo District, western Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Starting in May, citizens will have the opportunity to enjoy water leisure activities such as windsurfing, paddleboarding and yachting at Nanji Hangang Park in Mapo District, western Seoul.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government unveiled its plans Wednesday to inaugurate the largest water leisure sports center in the city, with two marinas capable of accommodating 155 vessels for communal use.

As of this year, there are approximately 3,000 registered water leisure vessels in the city. However, existing marinas along the Han River can only accommodate 130 vessels. Consequently, yacht owners have had to seek out berths in other regions, such as Gimpo or Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province, or Yeongjong Island in Incheon.

One marina, spanning 2,600 square meters, will be able to house 69 water leisure vessels, including yachts and boats, and another overland marina covering 5,000 square meters will be constructed on the riverside adjacent to the marina to provide storage space for 86 boats and water leisure crafts.

The support center will also provide education on water leisure sports and various activities.

The 1,277-square-meter center aims to make water leisure sports more accessible to visitors, offering instruction in windsurfing, kayaking and canoeing.

The center's first floor will feature amenities such as an education room, a changing room and shower facilities, while the second floor will serve as a relaxation area. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Han River sunset from the rooftop.

To ensure the safety of the facilities, the city government has constructed floating seawalls capable of withstanding strong waves and winds during floods or typhoons. Stretching 90 meters in length and 3.9 meters in width, these seawalls will safeguard both vessels and users.

With attractions such as Nanji Campground, Seoul Battleship Park and World Cup Park nearby, the city government anticipates Nanji Hangang Park to become a prominent tourist destination where visitors can simultaneously engage in tourism and leisure sports.

Following the completion of final inspections of the interior and convenience facilities, the center will organize various water leisure education and experience programs for citizens, slated to begin in May.

Joo Yong-tae, director of the Future Hangang Project Headquarters at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, emphasized the center's role in popularizing water leisure sports, which previously lacked adequate infrastructure near the Han River.

"We aim to transform the Han River into a central hub for water leisure activities through this center. Furthermore, we hope to establish the Han River as the premier destination for water leisure in Korea," he said.