omg, shocking news from the surfing world. young pro surfer Ricardo Dos Santos was shot and killed on the streets in brazil. this kid won the tahiti trials in tahiti and went on to beat kelly slater and other top talent in that contest. he was just making his mark in the surfing world at the young age of 24. omg, this is very sad news for everyone.
after many delays because of the bad weather yesterday, i finally made it to niseko. got picked up by Tokura-san and we headed deep into the mountains. it’s been such a long time since i was up here so i was pretty excited.
first, we stopped at Tamai Taro-san’s shop. gosh, the three of us have some awesome memories. from going to snow back country, to indo boat trips, to hawaii, all great times in our lives. Taro-san, Tokura-san, and i with our 19 year Niseko reunion.
i will never forget this day 19 years ago. this is when niseko was still unknown to the world. Taro-san was and still is the legend of snowboarding. known all around the world. Tokura-san and i were very lucky to have this wonderful experience that we will never forget. omg, i look so young in that photo. what happened? haha.
right when i got here, Osamu-san and the boys got me dressed up. it was already 4pm but just in time for a night snowboard session.
going up the lift was scary because it’s just been too long. the thoughts going through my mind of falling over the edge of the mountain, or hitting a tree. now i know how it feels when people come to hawaii to surf after being out of the water for years. that’s how i felt. Tokura-san, Kenjiro-san, and Osamu-san watching over me and keeping me safe.
it’s been 19 years since i snowboarded. a bit nervous to tell you the truth, but once i hit the powder on my first drop, i felt like i was surfing the biggest wave in the world. i was yelling and screaming with joy! what a great feeling!
then had a wonderful dinner and beers with the boys. thank you Tokura-san, Osamu-san, and Kenjiro-san for my first day of niseko experience!
another day, another snow. see you on the mountains!
