Many of Roopt's share houses are located in the coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture, allowing residents to enjoy not only seafood but also many marine activities. We want all Roopt residents and guests to experience Miyagi's marine activities.
This time, we bring you an article about a SUP experience in Ishinomaki City! We enjoyed SUP with a guide from 'Active Life Lab' in Hamaguri-hama, located in the northwestern part of the Oshika Peninsula.
Many people hear about SUP often but don't really know what it involves. This was my first time doing SUP, and I was a little anxious, but with careful guidance and lots of fun in the sea, it was a very fulfilling experience. If you want to "play in the sea of Ishinomaki" as the title suggests, please read on.
'Active Life Lab' is operated by Ryodai Miyagi, an environmental activist from Ishinomaki who grew up with the sea of Ishinomaki. He runs two types of businesses: 'Active Life YADO,' an environmentally-focused guesthouse where people learn about environmental issues and gather with like-minded friends, and 'Miyagi Outdoor Lab,' a facility for training in how to enjoy nature through outdoor activities like the SUP experience we had this time.
Since the sea of Ishinomaki, where he played as a child, became unsuitable for swimming after the earthquake, he has been engaged in environmental activities and providing programs with the desire to "do something about the sea that was lost in the disaster." In addition to the above, he also organizes monthly beach cleanups and self-catering events, making it a research institute that addresses environmental issues from all angles.
First, we gathered at a beach hut near Hamaguri-hama, signed consent forms, and chatted while introducing ourselves. This beach hut was not built by a construction company but by members who gathered with the goal of regenerating Hamaguri-hama. The interior is cute, isn't it?
After putting on wetsuits and life jackets, they carefully explained the terminology and usage of the SUP board and paddle. Instead of just explaining, they would suddenly start a quiz like, "Mr./Ms. [Name], what is this part called?" making it fun to learn.
Hamaguri-hama, like other beaches on the Oshika Peninsula, is an inlet, making the waves calm and gentle for SUP beginners. Also, with Mr. Miyagi's guidance, I felt safe paddling, which allowed me to "play around" as mentioned in the title.
First, we got used to standing and paddling on the SUP board. For those without SUP experience, you might wonder, "Can I really stand on just one board in the sea?" but surprisingly, I was able to stand up quickly. It allows you to feel your body's balance more realistically than in daily life, and it might even be an opportunity to get to know your own body.
Once you get used to it, you'll even have enough余裕 to strike a pose while paddling, like this.
The charm of this SUP experience is being able to feel the grandeur of nature while paddling. In Hamaguri-hama, where there is no sound except for the clear chirping of birds, you can see small fish and seaweed when you look at the sea, and trees and rock faces when you look at the mountains. Surrounded by such magnificent nature, you even feel a sense of your mind being reset, forgetting all the daily worries.
Also, falling is one of the joys of SUP, not just paddling. It's what you call a "splash." It's surprisingly refreshing to be thrown into the sea with a splash, and you can playfully splash or intentionally knock others in, returning to your childlike self and having a blast.
There's an uninhabited beach inaccessible by car, and we stopped there as a rest spot during the SUP trip. While resting and drinking tea, we walked a bit towards the mountains, picked up seaweed, and skipped stones together. We enjoyed activities beyond just SUP, and all participants had a great time. I used to play a lot in the sea when I was little, so it felt like reminiscing about the past.
The SUP experience lasted three hours, but it was so fulfilling that it felt like it ended in an instant. Rejuvenating in a natural setting and playing in the sea made it a moment of refreshment for both mind and body!
After experiencing my first SUP with Active Life Lab, the first thing I thought was, "It's important to return to being a child." As adults, we carry many things in our daily lives, but precisely because of that, taking time to forget everything and play around refreshes our mind and body, making our daily lives more fulfilling.
Mr. Miyagi provides careful guidance, and it's an activity that can be enjoyed even if you can't swim, so I felt it's a marine activity that anyone can enjoy. If you're interested after reading this article, please search for "Active Life Lab"!
Roopt, which operates share houses in Miyagi Prefecture, accepts not only long-term residents but also short-term stays and accommodations. Stays from one night, or short-term stays of a week or a month tailored to individual lifestyles, are also possible.
Also, for Active Life Lab's SUP, all equipment such as SUP boards and wetsuits are available for rent, so you can enjoy SUP with just yourself. Stays just for the summer are also very welcome, so if you "want to do SUP in Miyagi," please feel free to contact us.
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