Tokyo Surfers: Team 3373

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i took this photo exactly 4 years ago when it was the first time i met Team 3373 or Team Sazanami. Murakami-san and the old school boys formed this awesome team. waking up early morning in tokyo, jumping 3 vans, and heading to chiba to surf, surf, and surf. ever since then, i’ve been meeting more members of Team 3373 and they are all such great hard core surfers.
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even though it was 4 years ago, i remember that day clearly. just a bunch of friends having a wonderful time with each other. the true meaning of soul surfing.
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fast forward 4 years later to today. Sato-san is another member of the team. i had a great time with him this morning surfing and talking. the surf was pretty hard core. when we got out to bowls, Sato-san told me “wow, it’s uncrowded!” yes, there was only 1 other guy out. i told Sato-san, “the reason it’s so uncrowded is because most people can’t make it out here.” it was overhead, windy onshore, and 50 waves per minute. only the strong can survive. and at age 57, Sato-san survived!
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Team 3373 surfed 70 times together in 2014. every weekend doing the same thing over and over. just a bunch of cool guys in their mid 50-‘s heading to 60’s and full of power. surfing created an unbreakable bond with these guys. the smiles will last forever. Sato-san, thank you for a wonderful morning surf and fun. i’m so happy listening to your stories about your team. i think that is the essence of surfing and i can totally relate to your dreams! surfing with my friends gives me pure joy, i’ve been doing it for 35 years and i still love it. getting closer to old friends and meeting new friends. that’s what surfing is all about. keep on surfing and keep on smiling!
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and thank you for the Team Sazanami stickers! to Murakami-san and rest of the team, keep on surfing. forever young! hope to see you guys in hawaii!
then had a wonderful time this afternoon with a birthday girl. another awesome story that will have to wait for tomorrow. it’s 8:30pm and i’m getting ready for bed. it was a very long but wonderful hard core surfing day! good night.

KIRBY FUKUNAGA
ハワイで生まれ育ち、プロサーファー、フォイラー、スキンダイバー、カメラマンの肩書きを持ち、ウォーターマンとして、海で多くの時間を過ごし、海から多くのモノをもらいながら生活しています。彼が伝えようとしていることは、海がある生活は僕らを豊かにしてくれるということ。そして、自分だけではなく、いろいろなことをみんなにシェアし、人生を楽しむということ。現在は、ハワイでプライベートサーフィンガイドを主催。
カービー福永のハワイサーフィンガイド
https://go-naminori.com/kirbyhawaiisurfingguide