this is the coolest photo ever! back in 1994, it was Bol’s first trip to Japan. he surfed the Minami Cup and Tokura-san, Ganti, and i were coaching him from the beach. he got 1st place against stiff competition from Hawaii’s Nainoa Surrat and Jason Shibata. that was a great memory! 
i really miss Japan surf culture. we would drive all around Japan to shop contests. it was fun watching everybody enjoying it. this was the Rise and Shine Users Cup in Chigasaki.
then the happy party followed. i remember walking around with 2 big beers in my hand filling up everyone’s glass for a cheers. i would do that all night until we ran out of beer. then we would go the the store and get more, and do the same thing all night long. and that was almost every weekend. and yes, that was my job. lucky me huh? haha. that was Japanese surf culture and i enjoyed it all! 
by the end of the night, everything was a blur. i don’t remember most of it but it didn’t matter. all us surfers knew how to have a good time and we surely did that…
super happy to see Nao-san living the happy Shonan life. i hope someday she can enjoy one of those big surf parties! and if i’m there she better hide because i’m coming with those 2 big bottles of beer. haha…
