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.
Following the sea kayak edition and SUP edition, 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.
Everyone probably knows what surfing is, but it often has an image of being "too difficult" or "hard to get into." As a surfing novice, I also had the same impression, but 'Carlsbad''s surfing lessons completely changed that. They teach you how to stand on a surfboard in just one lesson, and at a more affordable price than I expected. I hope that by reading this article, some of you will think, "I want to try surfing too!"
'Carlsbad' is a long-established board shop operated by Kunihiko 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. You can also purchase items such as boards and wetsuits at their shop in Ishinomaki City.
Furthermore, they are well-versed in marine activities along the Miyagi coast 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 giant of Ishinomaki."
This surfing lesson was held at Watanoha Beach, about a 10-minute drive from Ishinomaki Station. It's a beach located east of the Ishinomaki Fish Market, which is Guinness-certified as the "world's longest fish market" at 875.47m.
Watanoha Beach is said to be suitable for beginner surfers because its location and wind conditions result in gentle waves. Mr. Okawa carefully explains the reasons for the calm waves, so if you participate in 'Carlsbad''s surfing lesson, be sure to ask him about it.
Furthermore, there's a tsunami evacuation tower right behind the beach, so it's reassuring to know you can quickly evacuate if a tsunami occurs.
After changing into wetsuits and chatting, we arrived at the sea, finished our warm-up, and immediately started the lesson! Enjoy the process of how I, a first-time surfer, learned to ride the waves in just one lesson.
First, we practiced "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 and the force of your paddling. It takes repeated practice to be able to go straight.
Next, we practiced what is essentially the "preparatory action before standing on the surfboard." From a prone position, we practiced extending our arms like a push-up to shift our weight back and forth. When you arch your back and shift your weight forward firmly, 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 about 5 minutes, but we practiced diligently on the beach. I used to play baseball in school, and it reminded me of the steady practice we did back then. Even though it's steady, when you understand the meaning behind the practice, it strangely feels enjoyable.
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 find the right 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 for standing on the surfboard and was able to ride waves repeatedly. Of course, surfing is fun once you can stand up.
And so, my first surfing lesson came to an end. Because they teach the basic movements thoroughly in a calm sea, even beginners can learn to ride 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, and when it comes, paddle and stand on the board at your own timing." Since they offer lessons tailored to individual skill levels, this surfing lesson is recommended 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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