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Japan’s Mirai Ikeda Shines at Krui Pro Junior Event

June 7th, 2024

Japanese surfer Mirai Ikeda emerged victorious at the Krui Pro Junior event in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Ikeda showcased her exceptional talent, navigating the challenging waves with precision and skill. This victory marks a significant milestone in her career, reflecting the growing prominence of Japanese surfers on the global stage. Ikeda’s triumph is a testament to …

Categories: Contests, People

Construction of Japan’s first ‘Wavegarden’ wave pool to be built in Shiga Prefecture, opening in spring 2026

May 27th, 2024

Plans to build a surfing pool manufactured by Wavegarden in Japan have finally been announced. It is scheduled to open in spring 2026, and will be located in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, on the Karasuma Peninsula, which juts out into Lake Biwa. The facility will officially be called “WAVE PARK BIWAKO”. Located about 50 minutes …

Categories: Places, Spots, Tourism

The world’s best aerial surfers coming to Japan this June for Stab High Japan at Shizunami Surf Stadium

May 21st, 2024

“Stab High”, the surf contest that celebrates the art of flight and aerials, will be held at Shizunami Surf Stadium on 22-23 June. Many surfers are scheduled to visit Japan, including the winner of the previous event, Robbie McCormick, as well as Chippa Wilson, Julian Wilson, Matt Meola, Mikey Wright, Noah Dean and Mason Ho. …

Categories: Contests, People, Places

Watch Jamie O’Brien surf and snowboard on the same day in Japan.

April 4th, 2024

Jamie O’Brien ditched the tropical vibes of Hawaii for a chilly adventure in Hokkaido, Japan. With excitement levels off the charts, he kicked off his day by conquering some epic “japow” slopes, followed by a laid-back session catching waves in the Sea of Japan. Talk about making the most of a day on Japan’s northernmost …

Categories: Culture, People, Places, Tourism

Aussie-born Connor O’Leary picked by Japan for Olympic surfing spot

April 4th, 2024

Connor O’Leary, a surfer originally from Australia, revealed that he’s been chosen to represent Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This decision came after he formally changed his allegiance to his mother’s homeland last year. Hailing from Cronulla in south Sydney, O’Leary was granted a third men’s spot on the Japan team by the Nippon …

Categories: Contests, Olympics, People

Survey underway for Wavegarden’s construction of surf pools in Japan

August 29th, 2023

A full-scale surfing wave pool by Wavegarden, a company that started in the UK and Spain and is now also operating in Australia, Brazil and South Korea and now eyeing potential sites in Japan. Those interested in the Wavegarden facility are encouraged to take part in the survey (see link below) Overview of Wavegarden’s pool …

Categories: Places, Tourism

CT competitor Conor O’Leary applies to change from Australia to Japan.

July 31st, 2023

The Nippon Surfing Association (NSA) announced on 6 June that Conor O’Leary, a WSL Championship Tour (CT) competitor, has applied to move from Australia to Japan. The application was made by the NSA at his request and is currently under consideration by the ISA (International Surfing Federation). If the application is approved, his nationality will …

Categories: Contests, Olympics, People

Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, hosts a Surf Town PR monitor tour

July 6th, 2023

Last year, the ‘Kitaizumi Coast’ in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, underwent a successful re-launch as a prominent surf tourism destination. As part of this strategic initiative, Minamisoma City orchestrated a well-structured ‘Surf Town PR Monitor Tour’, featuring the esteemed presence of professional surfers Kenji Miyauchi and Yugo Kawabata. This exclusive tour enabled them to experience the …

Categories: Culture, Places, Spots, Tourism

Riding the wave to recovery: Kitaizumi Surf Festival 2023

June 30th, 2023

The 2023 Surf Paradise Executive Committee recently announced that it will hold a surfing event called the “Kitaizumi Surf Festival 2023 Fukushima Reconstruction Support Beach Event @ Minami-soma” from 16 (Sat) to 18 (Mon) September. Twelve years after the Fukushima disaster, the number of surfers enjoying surfing in the Fukushima area has increased and events …

Japanese women Anon Matsuoka and Kana Nakashio win the women’s QS5,000 and Pro Junior competitions

June 20th, 2023

Japanese athletes Anon Matsuoka and Kana Nakashio emerged victorious in the highly competitive women’s QS5,000 and Pro Junior competitions at the esteemed 2023 Kului Pro World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 5,000 and Pro Junior event. The culmination of this thrilling contest took place on the final day, leaving spectators in awe of the …

Categories: Contests, People

Kanoa Igarashi and Shino Matsuda qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

June 11th, 2023

The eight-day 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games’ in El Salvador recently came to an end. This year, in addition to the WSG medals, this was an important event for the selection of athletes for the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2023 Pan American Games. The 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA …

Categories: Contests, Olympics, People

Catch the Waves: Discover the Thrills of Surfing in Japan this Summer!

June 3rd, 2023

As the summer sun beckons, surfers around the world are eager to catch the perfect wave and explore new horizons. While places like Hawaii and Australia are well-known for their surfing spots, there’s another hidden gem that deserves your attention: Japan. This summer, consider embarking on a surfing trip to Japan, a destination that offers …

Kanoa Igarashi wins 2nd consecutive title & 1st place to qualify for Paris Olympics Surfing World Games

June 2nd, 2023

The surfing world is abuzz with excitement as Kanoa Igarashi, the sensational young surfer, clinches his second consecutive title and secures the top spot to represent his country in the upcoming Paris Olympics Surfing World Games. With his remarkable skills and unwavering determination, Igarashi has cemented his status as one of the most formidable surfers …

Categories: Contests, Olympics, People

Remembering the Legendary Pro Surfer Naohisa Ogawa

May 28th, 2023

The world of professional surfing is mourning the loss of one of its most revered athletes, Naohisa Ogawa. The legendary pro surfer, known for his unmatched talent and vibrant personality, succumbed to the battle against colon cancer. Naohisa’s untimely demise has sent shockwaves through the Japanese surfing community, leaving a void that will be hard …

Categories: Culture, People

Japan Olympic Surfing venue refusing to cooperate

May 7th, 2021

With fewer than three months left until the Games are set to open, the venue which is scheduled to host the upcoming Japan surfing competition is refusing to cooperate by not setting up COVID-19 testing facilities for athletes. This is creating a few logistical problems for Japan struggling to drum up support for an already …

Categories: Contests, Olympics, Spots