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 all Roopt residents and guests will enjoy Miyagi's marine activities.
Following the sea kayaking and SUP editions, this time we bring you the surfing edition! We took a surfing lesson from 'Carlsbad,' which offers marine activity lesson programs mainly in Ishinomaki City, Higashimatsushima City, and Onagawa Town.
I'm sure you all know what surfing is, but it often has an image of being 'too difficult' or 'intimidating.' As a surfing novice, I had the same impression, but 'Carlsbad''s surfing lessons completely changed that. The price is more reasonable than I expected, and they teach you how to stand on a surfboard in just one lesson. I hope that by the time you finish reading this article, some of you will think, 'I want to try surfing too!'
'Carlsbad' is a long-established board shop operated by its representative, Kunihiro Okawa. In summer, they offer marine activities like surfing and SUP in coastal areas such as Ishinomaki City, Higashimatsushima City, and Onagawa Town, and in winter, they offer winter sports in the Kurikoma mountain range in northern Miyagi Prefecture, providing ways to enjoy the environment and climate. You can also purchase boards, wetsuits, and other items at their shop in Ishinomaki City.
Furthermore, he is well-versed in marine activities along the Miyagi coast and has even established an association to improve safety, becoming its representative himself, thereby promoting the importance of safely enjoying marine activities. He is truly a 'marine sports pioneer of Ishinomaki.'
This surfing lesson was held at Watonoha Beach, about a 10-minute drive from Ishinomaki Station. It's a beach located east of the Ishinomaki Fish Market, which is certified by Guinness as the 'world's longest fish market' at 875.47m.
Watonoha Beach is said to be suitable for beginner surfers to practice because its location and wind direction result in gentle waves. Mr. Okawa carefully explains the reasons for the calm waves, so if you participate in 'Carlsbad''s surfing lessons, please be sure to ask him.
Furthermore, there's a tsunami evacuation tower right behind the beach, so it's reassuring to know you can quickly escape if a tsunami occurs.
After chatting while changing into wetsuits and finishing warm-up exercises at the beach, the lesson began! Enjoy the process of how I, a first-time surfer, was able to ride the waves in just one lesson.
First, we practiced 'paddling,' which is moving through the water with your hands.
It might look like just moving your hands through the water, but it's surprisingly difficult. Even if you try to go straight towards your goal, you'll quickly veer off course due to shifts in your center of gravity or inconsistencies in how much force you use to paddle. It takes repeated practice to be able to go straight.
Next, we practiced what is known as the 'preparatory movement before standing on the surfboard.' From a prone position, we extended our arms like doing a push-up and practiced shifting our weight back and forth. When you arch your back and shift your weight forward properly, you get the sensation of gliding forward smoothly with the power of the wave.
Here, we returned to the beach to practice the motion of standing on the surfboard. We were taught the timing for the push-up in STEP 2, the timing and position for moving the left and right feet, and the timing for standing up.
It was only about 5 minutes, but we practiced diligently on the sand. I was in the baseball club in high school, and it reminded me of the steady, fundamental practices we used to do. Even though it's painstaking, when you understand the meaning behind the practice, it strangely becomes enjoyable.
However, it didn't go well from the start, and I kept falling in. I could manage the weight shift without difficulty, but I struggled to get the timing right for standing up.
After repeated falls like this, the moment I rode a wave for the first time arrived! The sensation of moving forward with the power of the wave was exhilarating.
After that, I started to understand the timing for standing on the surfboard and was able to ride the waves repeatedly. It's obvious, but surfing is fun once you can stand up.
And so, my first surfing lesson came to an end. Because they thoroughly taught the basic movements in a calm sea, even as a beginner, I was able to ride the waves, and the lesson left me with a desire to try it again.
By the way, there was one other person taking the lesson with me, and their lesson content was a bit more advanced than mine: 'wait for a wave, then paddle and stand on the board at your own timing when the wave comes.' In this way, they provide lessons tailored to individual levels, so it's a recommended surfing lesson regardless of your experience.
During the lesson, before it, and while waiting for waves, I learned about the fun and depth of surfing.
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