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 hope that Roopt residents and guests will also enjoy 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 the Hamaguri-hama area, located in the northwestern part of the Oshika Peninsula.
Many people hear about SUP a lot lately but don't really know what it involves. This was my first time doing SUP, and I was a little anxious, but thanks to the careful guidance and the many opportunities for ocean play, it was a very fulfilling experience. If you want to "have a blast in Ishinomaki's ocean" 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 Ishinomaki ocean. 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 training facility for enjoying nature through outdoor activities like the SUP experience we had this time.
Since the Ishinomaki ocean, where he played as a child, became unsuitable for swimming after the earthquake, he has been engaged in environmental activities and program provision with the desire to "do something about the ocean lost in the disaster." In addition to the above, he also conducts 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 revitalizing 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. It wasn't just a simple explanation; quizzes like "Mr./Ms. 〇〇, what is the name of this part?" would suddenly start, making it fun to learn.
Hamaguri-hama, like other beaches on the Oshika Peninsula, is an inlet with calm waves, making it gentle for SUP beginners. Also, thanks to Mr. Miyagi's guidance, we were able to paddle with peace of mind, which allowed us to "have a blast" 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 ocean?" 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 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 and the chirping of birds is clearly audible, you can see small fish and seaweed in the ocean, and trees and rock faces jump out at you when you look at the mountains. Surrounded by such magnificent nature, you even feel a sense of your mind being refreshed, forgetting all the worries of daily life.
Also, falling is one of the joys of SUP, not just paddling. It's what you might call a "splash." Being thrown into the ocean with a splash is surprisingly refreshing, and you can have fun splashing dramatically or intentionally knocking others in, returning to your childlike self and having a blast.
There was an unmanned beach inaccessible by car, which we stopped at as a rest spot during the SUP trip. While resting and drinking tea, we walked a bit into 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 ocean 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 no time. Being refreshed in a natural environment and having a blast playing in the ocean made it a moment of mental and physical rejuvenation!
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 burdens in our daily lives, but precisely because of that, taking time to forget everything and have a blast allows our minds and bodies to refresh, 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 an ocean activity that anyone can enjoy. If you're interested after reading this article, please search for "Active Life Lab"!
Roopt share houses in Miyagi Prefecture accept 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're thinking "I want to do SUP in Miyagi," please feel free to contact us.
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