BUDIASA presents CLIPS

I'm really proud to post this blog on behalf of my braddahz from Japan Keisuke Imada and Hisamitsu "Broken" Iijima! Keiske and Broken are the dynamic duo that is Budiasa! Clips is Budiasa's newest project and by the looks of the cover shuvits really grab my attention.

When I'm in Japan with Nickhead and Brokeneck, these guys are always working with us to get the "Clips"! All of our surfing has gotten better because of Budiasa's projects. I really enjoy working with them because of their passion for surfing and laid back lifestyle. I'm excited to hear the soundtrack that they've picked out! Budiasa also does a great job of profiling the future generations! Check the trailer:

Ronin Eyewear Groms

Today I went up to Sunset Beach to meet up with my two grom team riders for Ronin Eyewear. Takumi Yasui from Kamogawa, Japan is here surfing and training for the winter season. Takumi is staying with Mahina Maeda's house, the perfect spot for an up and coming Japanese grommet!

Mahina wearing Ninja-White-Gradation Lens Takumi wearing NO.3-White-Gradation Lens

Takumi and Mahina have such big futures ahead of them and I'm stoked to be apart of it! I remember what it was like being a surf stoked grom, all I wanted to do is surf and that's just how these two are. It's so awesome.


Mahina Maeda and Takumi Yasui, Sunset Beach 2009

So today I went over and shot them for the Ronin Eyewear Japan Blog and for our upcoming Ads and catalogues for 2010 in Japan! Right after we were done shooting, the kids were out the door to go surf Freddyland. Classic!

2009 Malibu presents Hyuga Pro

Today is the final day of the Malibu Hyuga Pro in Japan.

It's Monday there, and Sunday here in Hawaii. Click the

link above to take you right to the live webcast.

My boy Nick Mita is double dipping doing both MCing &

Competing. He's making double pay and still sleeping in

his van to save money...now that's one "chang" buggah.

Nah, j/k no arm bar me....hahaha. Anyway Nick is in Qtr.

2 and coming off a big win over his rival Shiba Jun, haha.

Nick is also sharing the same sleeping space with Kekoa

"Kimbo". This van must have good mana because Kekoa

got 2 perfect 10's in the contest. (Who's judging the JPSA

judges or what...nah joke) No sabo-blog me ah....hahaha.

The third amigo who got conned into sleeping inside of

the car by the other two mentioned buggaz is Dustin boy!

Dustin has been the stand out of the WQS side with 3 heat

wins. Point totals of 17.25, 18.o and 17.45. He's now in the

Quarter Final #1. It's great to see Dustin competing in

Japan and raising the level there!

Keep an eye out for all the Ronin Eyewear team riders

still competing in this event. Good luck boys!

WQS

Quater Final, Heat 1

Yellow-Dustin Cuizon

White-Masahiro Suzuki

Quarter Final, Heat 3

Yellow-Naohisa Ogawa

Pro Jr

Quarter Final, Heat 4

Yellow-Gai Sato

Semi Final, Heat 2

White-Hiroto Arai

Cadet

Semi Final, Heat 1

Red-Hiroto Arai

White-Takumi Yasui

Semi Final, Heat 2

Red-Gai Sato

White-Yugo Kawabata

SHIKOKU, JAPAN

SHIKOKU
We bailed Ibaraki at 7AM for a 3 hour drive to Haneda Airport. Made it safely to OK Parking to drop off our Van. Checked in, didn't have to pay for our surfboards on the domestic flight to Kochi City, Shikoku. Not having to pay for surfboards when flying is like a dream! A quick hour and a half flight and we were there just before 2PM. Caught the shuttle bus over to Orix Car Rental and this is the whip they gave us!

Brand new Honda Inspire! Hybrid and all!!! Chee hee!!! 13 boards, 3 duffel bags, 3 Macs, and all the gear you need for a blog. Check out Nick and Kekoa's blogs. Pretty much priceless right now! 3 hour drive over to Ikumi. Once we reached our destination the fuel gauge was still abover the Full line...go figure! I love Hybrid's! We checked out Ikumi where the JPSA #4 by Murasaki Sports is supposed to take place and it was ankle high. (sorry no photo)


Classic photo of the boys. I said "hey guys, show me how stoked you guys are to be in Shikoku" and this was what I got. It's a good thing these guys can rip and are a sponsors dream cause they wouldn't make it as models. Nah j/k. Nah not/k...hahaha!


How's this sight for sore eyes! Go ahead and put this up on your screen saver! A little gift from me to you. No you know Japan is not just about the big cities and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are still very many beautiful places like this in Japan, nearly every stop on tour will take you through a place like this!

The constant struggle of Man vs. Nature
When we saw this, we felt better that our car was a Hybrid. We all have to do what we can to preserve nature! Go green, consume less, recycle more, reuse what you can, reduce waste. It's all of our responsibility.


















If you are ever in the Shishikui area of Shikoku be sure to stop by and grind at Bahati. Bahati is run by the Tsuji family, the proud parents of Japanese surfing sensation Yujiro Tsuji who will also be competing in the Murasaki Pro @ Ikumi Beach this week. They got the ono kine grinds!


Nick, Mr. Tsuji, Me, Kekoa, Mr. Chiba
Thank you for the great food and hospitality! Aloha!

JPSA #3 ISU presents Gotcha G Land Pro in Ibaraki, Japan (Wrap Up)

IBARAKI
Yesterday was the last day of the JPSA ISU presents the Gotcha G Land Pro at Oarai, Ibaraki. Unfortunately for Team Hawaii, Kekoa, Nick and I never made the podium, but our buddy Darren Turner won the event!

Stop #3 on the JPSA Tour in Oarai, Ibaraki, Japan


Dazza ripping his way to victory in front of Aqua World


The Tajima Ohana was in Ibaraki to cheer on Daddy (Teppei) to win the Expression Session and a cool $2,000.00. (Jin, Teppei and Mie Tajima)


Nick Mita going straight up and eliminating me from the competition with only one good knee. Nah j/k. Nickhead is coming off of a gnarly knee injury and has been training hard with Kimo Middlesworth and the boys at Kamehameha. He game me a dose of my own medicine. Looks like I gotta get back on the program. So stoked to see Nick getting back to 100%!!!


I would like to send out a big Mahalo to Taka, Koichi and Tomoko for taking such great care of us in Ibaraki! Here we are Shakas, Peace Signs and Smiles by all! See you again next year!!!

Kekoa & Nick

Here is a classic shot of my 2 travel buddies, Kekoa Uemura and Nick Mita. The 3 of us have been slugging it out here in Japan almost a decade! Japan has been so good to us and in return all we want to do is spread the Aloha Spirit! Everywhere we go people are so kind! Just take a look at these guys that they will make you smile! We have great friends, tell them you enjoy their company, their support and their friendship! We all need great friends! Koa and Nick you guys are the shit!