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On Sunday, November 13th, the River Do! Hiroshima International Open Race was held on the Ota River, which flows through Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
The point where the tournament was held is close to the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, and other attractions, and is always bustling with tourists.
This was a large-scale event, not just a race. Over 200 people registered. Because it was held on a river, cyclists could see the cyclists up close from the cycling path along the bank and the many bridges over the river, and the cheers of support could be heard constantly.
Team KOKUA was represented by Nariakira Shimazu, who competed in the ISA World Championships held in Puerto Rico and achieved an impressive second place in the Jr. Technical class, Kenny Kaneko, Natsumi Baba, and Yea Tsurui, a new member of KOKUA TEAM GENERATION NEXT.
The main event is a spectacular one, with athletes from all classes starting at the same time.
The Ota River is a large river where water taxis also come and go, but over 150 runners lined up across the entire width of the river, in several rows. The front row started off packed so tightly together that it was difficult to insert a paddle. As soon as the start began, a strong undertow arose, and the runners behind the leading group were caught off guard by the backwash that hit the riverbank, causing them to struggle against the undertow for quite some time.
The difference in subsequent developments depended on how well you got ahead at the start.
The Ota River is affected by tidal currents. The speed of the current changes between the center of the river and the banks, so you need to read this when choosing a course.
Just after the start, the tide was heading towards high water, so we had to paddle against the tide.
From the turning point, the current began to follow the runners. Then, as they headed towards the sea again, the tide turned against them for the final time. The runners who read the current and took a bold course to either stay in the center or the edge of the river came out ahead.
Once the group broke up, each fleet began drafting, and the tactics involved were also a highlight.
The top men's race was taken by Team KOKUA's Kenny Kaneko, Shigeaki Shimazu, and Ryuhei Yoshida. Kenny Kaneko led the other two from start to finish, and Shigeaki Shimazu, along with Yoshida, kept up with Kenny Kaneko.
The gap narrowed midway, but Kaneko Kenny broke away in the final sprint to win the dead heat. Shimazu Shigeaki lost to Yoshida by a narrow margin, but he steadily caught up with Yoshida, who had beaten him by just one step at the All Japan Championships, and thrilled the crowd with his further growth at the ISA World Championships.
In the women's race, Natsumi Baba finished in first place, about four minutes ahead of the second-place swimmer. She rowed steadily and without losing her pace, even in the wake of the start. She was surrounded by only male swimmers, so she couldn't draft or negotiate, but she maintained her own stable rowing until the end. She placed 19th overall.
This was Yae Tsurui's debut on a 14.0ft board. Although it was a board she was still unfamiliar with, she managed to come in third. Although she wasn't able to close the gap with second-placed Yonemura, she is still a first-year junior high school student and has a fresh energy that is sure to make her a great addition to the team.
Below is the player report.
[Nariakira Shimazu]
［Result］ Race Class Hardboard Men's 14.0ft and under 3rd place (01:16:35)
"I was still tired after coming back from the World Championships, but the speed of my board on the flat conditions helped me to keep my energy up until the end, and I finished in third place.
I was able to respond well to the swells caused by the wake of the boatman's residence and pick up the waves. I was able to paddle the whole way without feeling the fatigue I'd felt since returning home. This race allowed me to feel the board's performance more than usual, and I was reminded once again of how high its performance is.
[ Kenny Kaneko]
［Result］ Race Class Hardboard Men's Under 14.0ft 1st place (01:16:30)
"I enjoyed battling with Nari (Shimazu Shigeaki) and Yoshida from start to finish. Team KOKUA also did a great job. The day before, we held the KOKUA Night, and I was able to interact with many paddlers. It was a great two days."
[Natsumi Baba]
［Result］ Race Class Hardboard Women's 14.0ft and under 1st place (01:25:59)
"Even on flat conditions, my speed varied depending on where I went in the river, so I was constantly thinking about where I should be in the river at what time. The undertow right after the start was within my expectations, so I settled down and was able to look for a swell that I could use, but midway through, drafting directly behind a swimmer in another class is prohibited, so I tried drafting alongside them, but I lost control of my board and fell into the water. I realized I lacked technique. I used a FLY PRO 22.5 board. It had an excellent balance of speed and stability, and I was able to ride without stress in any conditions."
All members of Team KOKUA who participated in the tournament won prizes. In addition, many competitors who used KOKUA boards, paddles, and gear achieved high results and made it onto the podium. It was clear that the number of KOKUA users is increasing all over the country.
The field allows you to watch the athletes up close, making the appeal of the race even more apparent. The tournament also has divisions for beginners, families, and friends to enjoy, including touring classes, team relays, and dragon SUP races, and this type of competition will hopefully encourage people who have never tried SUP before to try it.
Alongside the event, there were paddle clinics, test rides, stalls, and stage performances, making it an event that everyone could enjoy, and it was a tournament that served as a catalyst for expanding the base of SUP for both competitive and leisure use.
