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 kayak 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 has an image of being "too difficult" or "hard to get into." As a surfing beginner, I had the same impression, but 'Carlsbad' surfing lessons completely changed that. It's more affordable than I thought, and they teach you how to stand on a surfboard in just one lesson. I hope that as you read this article, some of you will think, "I want to try surfing too!"
'Carlsbad' is a long-established board shop operated by Kunihiro Okawa. In summer, they offer marine activities such as surfing and SUP in coastal areas like 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. At their shop in Ishinomaki City, you can also purchase items such as boards and apparel.
Furthermore, they are well-versed in marine activities in the coastal areas of Miyagi Prefecture, and have even established an association and become its representative to improve safety, emphasizing the importance of safely enjoying marine activities. It is truly a board shop that can be called the "marine sports leader of Ishinomaki."
This surfing lesson was held at Watonoha Beach, about a 10-minute drive from Ishinomaki Station. It is a beach located east of the Ishinomaki Fish Market, which is recognized by Guinness as the "world's longest fish market" at 875.47m.
Watonoha Beach is said to be suitable for beginner surfers to practice due to its calm waves, resulting from its location and wind direction. Mr. Okawa carefully explains the reasons for the calm waves, so if you participate in 'Carlsbad' surfing lessons, please be sure to ask him.
Furthermore, there is a tsunami evacuation tower right behind the beach, so you can rest assured that you can quickly escape if a tsunami occurs.
After chatting while changing into wetsuits and finishing warm-up exercises at the beach, the lesson immediately began! Enjoy the process of how I, a first-time surfer, learned to ride the waves in just one lesson.
First, we practice "paddling," which is moving through the water with your hands.
It may look like just moving through the water, but it's surprisingly difficult. Even if you try to go straight towards your target, you'll quickly veer off course due to shifts in your center of gravity or inconsistent paddling strength. It takes repeated practice to be able to go straight.
Next, we practiced the so-called "preparatory movements before standing on the surfboard." From a prone position, we practiced extending our arms like a push-up to shift our center of gravity back and forth. When you arch your back and shift your center of gravity forward properly, you get the sensation of gliding forward with the power of the wave.
Here, we returned to the beach to practice the movements for 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. As a former baseball player in school, it reminded me of the steady practice we did back then. Although it's steady, it's surprisingly fun when you understand the meaning behind the practice.
However, it didn't go well from the start, and I kept falling in. I could shift my weight without difficulty, but I struggled to grasp the timing to stand up.
After repeatedly falling in like this, the moment I first rode a wave arrived! The sensation of moving forward with the power of the wave was exhilarating.
After that, I started to understand the timing to stand on the surfboard and was able to ride the waves repeatedly. Of course, surfing is fun when you can stand up.
Thus, my first surfing lesson came to an end. Because they taught me the basic movements thoroughly in a calm sea, I was able to ride the waves even as a beginner, and the lesson left me with a desire to "do 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, and when it comes, paddle at your own timing and stand on the board." In this way, they provide lessons tailored to individual levels, so it's a recommended surfing lesson regardless of experience.
During the lesson and before it, and while waiting for waves, I learned about the fun and depth of surfing.
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