Hainan’s Coconut Climbing Debuts at National Games

Move over, parkour! Hainan’s centuries-old tradition of scaling coconut trees for fresh juice just got a modern adrenaline boost. For the first time, the high-speed skill made its debut at China’s 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities in Sanya, turning a daily practice into a heart-pounding spectator sport.

Competitors raced up 15-meter poles mimicking coconut trunks, slapping a buzzer at the top in under 5 seconds – faster than most TikTok trends go viral. The event blends cultural heritage with nail-biting competition, proving tradition can be lit. Local athlete Lin Wei told organizers: 'Our ancestors climbed for survival. We climb for glory – and to show the world Hainan’s spirit.'

Organizers say the game promotes ethnic minority traditions while appealing to Gen Z’s love of extreme sports. With plans to expand the event nationally, could coconut climbing become Asia’s next big export? One thing’s clear: this isn’t your grandma’s fruit-picking technique anymore.

Reference(s):

Coconut tree climbing shines at national-level games

cgtn.com