i’ve said over and over that it was my dream 20 years ago to build friendships between hawaii and japan. not just me, but for everyone around me. and as years have gone by, my circle of friends is just growing and growing strong. surfing this past weekend with my friends from japan was an awesome moment. our 2 hour sunset session brought great waves, great rides, great smiles, and a great sunset. don’t have time send each photos individually so thought i’d just post them all. check it out.
so stoked to see Miwa-san surfing so much better each year. i was super impressed by her confidence and riding. super smooth and super stoked!
another awesome photo of Miwa-san. thank you for translating my blogs all these years! happy surfing surfer girl! welcome to hawaii.
this is not Miwa-san, this is Mia-chan. i just taught her how to do a bottom turn. bend your knees, look forward, put more weight on the back foot, and enjoy the ride. this is a perfect bottom turn!
i met Kara-san in ishigaki about 18 years ago? so long that i don’t even remember. all i remember is Kara-san being so kind, gentle, and full of aloha. and also a great surfer.
omg, the waves were so perfect! Kara-san getting ready for the off the lip!
getting very close to me. i was kind of scared his board was going to hit me in the face but i know he is a professional so i’d be ok.
my lens is 5 inches away from the tip of his board. Kara-san in full control! oh, and if you ever go to beautiful ishigaki island, Kara-san is the man! best ishigaki guide around! enjoy.
Nanako-chan just started surfing a 6 months ago. amazing progress!
Maki-chan always surfing so strong and smooth. must be the yoga. namaste.
Pee-chan walking the board like he’s walking on the sidewalk. nice technique and cool photo.
Pee-chan surfing good too. every year he comes to hawaii, he’s surfing better and better.
the classic bottom turn. practice makes perfect.
nice set Nanako-chan! i’m still amazed on how much nabe and dessert you ate the other night. haha.
Yuuta-san has a hardcore job. he works in the sugar cane industry in ishigaki. no machines, he cuts sugar cane after sugar cane by hand. his job quota is 4 tons of cutting and loading sugar cane per day. yes, by hand/per day! that’s how our ancestors that came from japan to hawaii did it 100 years ago. so stoked to see the old school style still going strong in ishigaki!
it’s a dream so have such awesome friends in this beautiful world! businesses will come and go, surfboards will break and be gone, things will get damaged or stolen, but surfers friendships will last forever. that’s what i truly believe. so keep on surfing!
