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.
I'm sure you all know what surfing is, but you probably have the image that it's "too difficult" or "hard to get into." As a surfing beginner myself, I had the same image, 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 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 Kunihiko Okawa as its representative. 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 boards, wetsuits, and other items 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 pioneer of Ishinomaki."
This surfing lesson was held at Watanoha Beach, about a 10-minute drive from Ishinomaki Station. It is a beach located east of the Ishinomaki Fish Market, which is certified by Guinness 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 gentle 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 changing into wetsuits and chatting, and finishing warm-up exercises at the beach, the lesson immediately began! Please 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 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 the strength 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 shifting our weight back and forth by extending our arms as if doing a push-up. 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 once 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 respectively, 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 my student days, and it reminded me of the steady practice we did back then. Although 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 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 waves repeatedly. Of course, surfing is fun once you can stand up.
And so, my first surfing lesson came to an end. Because they thoroughly teach the basic movements in a calm sea, even beginners can 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, involving "waiting for a wave, then paddling and standing on the board at their own timing when a wave comes." In this way, they provide lessons tailored to individual skill levels, making it a recommended surfing lesson regardless of experience.
During the lesson, before it, and while waiting for waves, I learned about the fun and depth of surfing.
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