Rakuten supports three pro surfers, Nat Young, Kei Kobayashi, and Shun Murakami, each with their own unique appeal.Regarding the differences in the surfers' styles and their respective highlights, we will learn from Hideshiro Minami, who plays a key role in Japan-US surfing and connects them to Rakuten.If you find a favorite player, surfing becomes even more fun!

In the previous Surfing article, we touched on the various charms of Surfing.Mr. Minami was a pro who challenged the big waves, but there are also many surfers of various types.First, by getting to know the three members of Rakuten Surfrider, let’s expand our interest.

Dynamic Action Unleashed by a Tall Figure | Nat Young

Nat Young, who calls Santa Cruz, California home, is a renowned surfer who has been participating in competitions from his junior years and has won numerous titles.This year, as I turn 33, I aim to compete in the World Championship Tour, battling against the world’s top professionals using my honed skills as my weapon.

“In terms of age, there are many players who are younger and more physically fit than Nat.But even now, after surpassing 30 years old, he is one of the surfers who continues to fight diligently as an active athlete throughout the year.The characteristics of a nut include a sharp turn, flashy spray, and a large line taking.The term “spray” refers to the splash of water from waves, and it won’t splash if your body weight is light or your leg strength is weak.The appeal lies in the bold riding style that is unique to a blessed physique of nearly 180cm in height.My personality is completely the opposite, I’m actually very quiet though (laughs).By the way, whether or not the spray flies also affects the scoring of the competition. If the spray is insufficient, the power of the turn may be judged as weak, and the quality of the performance may not be evaluated, so it’s quite important,” says Hideshiro Minami.

Riding the Rough Waves with High Skills and Courage | Shun Murakami

Shun Murakami, who hails from Yugawara Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, and calls Yoshihama his home, blossomed his talent immediately after making his contest debut at the age of 10, and turned professional at the young age of 14. I have been consistently achieving good grades.Murakami, distancing himself from competitive scenes where participants compete for scores in tournaments, is currently pursuing the path of free surfing, seeking freedom of expression.

“Originally, Shun had enough skill to potentially become a candidate for the Japanese Olympic team.However, from a certain point, the desire to participate in tournaments and achieve results faded away, and eventually, the person declined the candidate for representative by their own will.I’ve always loved interacting with nature, so I guess you could say I shifted from a life as a competitive athlete to a lifestyle where I can enjoy surfing more freely.I am currently traveling both domestically and internationally, wave hunting in search of thrilling waves that no one has ever challenged before.The trick that Shun particularly enjoys is tube riding, which involves navigating through a wave’s tunnel.Once you get the hang of it, there’s a unique pleasure that’s hard to replace amidst the waves, and it’s also a refreshing trick for those who are watching. However, many of the places where you can do tubes have shallow water depths and rocky bottoms, requiring advanced technique and courage.Furthermore, a keen “eye” and intuition are also necessary to pursue tube-like waves. Of course, Shun, and all excellent surfers possess these qualities,” says Hideshiro Minami.

VIDEO: Junichiro Harada

Conveying Charm in the Modern Way of Surfing | Kei Kobayashi

Kei Kobayashi, born in 1998, is a professional surfer who grew up in San Clemente, California.Holding American citizenship, they are typically active based in North America, but they also participate in numerous competitions within Japan, demonstrating their prowess with several wins under their belt.Mr. Minami also says, “I think his skill is so formidable that he can be said to have no rivals in local tournaments.”

“Contrary to what many may think, professional surfers are typically reserved and introverted. However, Kei is someone who has absolutely no qualms about putting himself forward.I regularly post about myself surfing on my YouTube channel and social media.In that sense, I believe one of his appeals is that he is creating a new image of a surfer, which has not existed until now.On top of that, there’s an athlete who is incredibly passionate about surfing.Kei, who has a petite physique, is so stoic that she trains from early morning to build a body that won’t lose to foreign players.I am currently working hard every day with the goal of participating in the Challenger Series starting in the spring of 2025, advancing to the World Tour that lies beyond, and winning the world title. All the young surfers are skillful and good at tricks, but Kei is particularly good at aerial tricks. So, it might be more interesting to watch if you pay attention to that aspect,” says Hideshiro Minami.

The exhilarating feeling of sports, where magnificent turns, airs (jumps), and a number of dynamic moves splash water spectacularly, is perfect for the upcoming hot season.According to Mr. Minami, there are ongoing plans in Japan to build a large-scale wave pool that can be used by everyone from general surfers to professionals in competitions!

“I hope that these facilities will help establish surfing as a more familiar sport and contribute to the development of energetic young people who will shoulder the future of Japan. I hope that surfers from both within the country and abroad will gather, revitalize the local economy, and create a new surfing culture, leading to the revitalization of the region,” says Hideshiro Minami.

For those who have been interested in learning about surfers after reading this article, it is recommended to check out the “World Surf League (WSL)“, where you can check the top-ranked surfers and contest participants worldwide.To make watching surfing even more interesting, try to find your favorite player.

VIDEO: Junichiro Harada【Shun Murakami】
TEXT: Keisuke Honda
EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe (IN FOCUS)