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Chiba, Japan

So we are back in Chiba for the 4* WQS Billabong Tsurigasaki Pro at Shidashita. Shida is one of Chiba's most high performance venues, which is the perfect setting for some of the World's top professionals to show their stuff! Japan is such a great place to compete because the crowd really gets behind the surfers and their skill and aren't afraid to show it and express their respect for all of the surfers! Hey that's why I love surfing here, because the people really, really love surfing. It's like no where else in the World!!!

Be sure to stay tuned to the events Live Webcast all week! Send you messages into my boy Nick Mita, he's commentating the entire event. He gets super amped when everyone sends in their thoughts and comments of support for the surfers. Nick is also competing in the event so be sure to cheer him on as well! I think the best surfers are the ones that can represent themselves in and out of the water, and Nick is a perfect example of that!

Watch the Billabong Tsurigasaki Pro

The conditions today were very difficult, not the type of waves you would expect from Japan. The surf was in the 3-4 foot range, but very powerful dumping type waves. These conditions are expected to stick around all week, so the surfers have to be ready to battle with the ocean and not just the other competitors.

Here are a couple of shots from the event website! Stoked to have gotten some love! Thanks Yamamoto san for shooting!

I was stoked to get a few fun waves in my heat today!

I got the chance to fill in for Nick "The MC" Mita while prepared for and surfed his heat today. Nickhead ripped his way to the round of 96! I know why now, cause he had the best seat in the house! The view was nice from the box!

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!!!

Shahalak

Check out this crazy graphic that Shahalak made for my board! Shahalak can make you pretty much any custom graphic that you may want to put on your board. Check out their web page to see if they can make you what you desire for your new surfboard. Thanks Haru and the gang!

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!

Check out Hawaii's Kekoa Bacalso in the upcoming Hurley Boost Mobile Pro at Lower Trestles this weekend onward. Go get em BAM from the Ronin family!

Baby Bruiser Boom Boom

So my buddies Nick Mita and Kekoa Uemura have got some of the funniest stuff that we have been doing on the road on their blogs. They convinced me that I should set one up too cause I travel around to some different places and should share it with yall so here's my first post.

This is Baby Bruiser Boom Boom! He's the newest addition to the family and is a bundle of joy! He keeps Aix sane when I'm on the road for work. I miss him already! I miss you too Aix!