Surfers test waves ahead of sport's 2020 Olympic debut

Japan, meanwhile, is hoping to get a boost from Kanoa Igarashi. Born in Huntington Beach, California, the 21-year-old Igarashi recently received dual citizenship in order to compete for his ancestral homeland in 2020.

Dual citizenship...…..really...

Japan, meanwhile, is hoping to get a boost from Kanoa Igarashi. Born in Huntington Beach, California, the 21-year-old Igarashi recently received dual citizenship in order to compete for his ancestral homeland in 2020.

@GW - Dual citizenship...…..really...

Yeah, he's a Jank. Igarashi should not be able to compete for Japan. He was not born here, has never lived here and cannot speak Japanese, but he claims to be Japanese. He surfs for Japan in the WSL too.

The surfers were testing the waves this week. However, the real test will be both competitors and athletes getting to this event. The 'only' road to get there will be jammed all the way back to Chiba city. And, even if you do make it, there is very limited parking. Taito station is a long way from the event site. You have to catch a bus, which will also be caught in the traffic jam. However, it should cause too much of a problem because the surf will be flat in August. This is one event that will be a complete shambles.

"Surfing in Japan dates back over 100 years."

Sorry, that's called playing in the water.

"Born in Huntington Beach, California, the 21-year-old Igarashi recently received dual citizenship in order to compete for his ancestral homeland in 2020."

I've been here since before he was born. Where is my dual-citizenship? And he will ONLY be Japanese if he wins. If he loses, he'll be the 'half' they stop talking about and change the channel. The ice cream of the month... the reason why there are 31 flavors.

However, it should cause too much of a problem because the surf will be flat in August. This is one event that will be a complete shambles.

Ugh, brilliant. (rolls eyes)

Pray for an early typhoon, then. Those sometimes make nice swells!

Disillusioned is correct on all points.

It is fascinating how quickly a sports star can become "Japanese" When was dual nationality accepted in Japan? I have been to that beach. Surfing waves in August? It must be a joke!

Can't really comment on the surf so I will have a go at sailing.

according to the locals,

there is NO wind in August. (barring a typhoon)

the events will be near Haneda, so no helicopters (and I suppose drone) can go up and actually film the events.

Sailing is not very interesting seen from the land a couple of kilometres away.

All the best

I went out for one day of this test event. Most of what other people are saying here is true. There are no hotels, just one road, it has the potential to be an organizational disaster. It's too bad because surfing deserves better.

As for Igarashi, he is Japanese, both parents are Japanese, he speaks Japanese so the bitter foreigners complaining about him getting dual citizenship should check their facts.

Kanoa Igarashi can haveJapanese/US dual citizenship until the age of 22. I did.

Also, Kanoa can speak Japanese. He even does some of his competition post surf interviews in Japanese.

He grew up in a household where both parents speak Japanese and he speaks it at home so he is bilingual even though his English is a bit better than his Japanese but that's to be expected.

As for the surf, typhoon season runs from June to November and it can be hit or miss. A couple of years ago we had typhoon after typhoon with consistent waves by the time August came around. So far this year it's been a bust. We won't know until July/Aug rolls around to see how it'll be for the Olympic contest.

The venue choice was a result of a lack of cooperation and traditional rivalry between Kujukuri and Katsu-Ura surfers. Generally speaking, for a big event or tournament, several venues with varying conditions will be secured and the final decision made on the early morning of the day or the night before.

Seeing as Ichinomiya has virtually no accommodation or commercial facilities, Katsu-ura, Onjuku, or even one of the Izu islands would have been a better choice.

"Yeah, he's a Jank. Igarashi should not be able to compete for Japan. He was not born here, has never lived here and cannot speak Japanese, but he claims to be Japanese. "

He doesn't simply "claim" to be Japanese.

He is Japanese; by blood, genealogy, in all probability culture too (both parents are Japanese).

Yeah, he is Japanese in ways you'll never be.

Surfing? What's next as an Olympic 'sport,' tiddlywinks?

consistent waves

I’m pretty sure the waves one year from now will not be the same as they are today. With climate change, rising sea levels, and other naturally occurring phenomenon, the waves of today are not the waves of tomorrow.

"'ve been here since before he was born. Where is my dual-citizenship"

An avowed hater, yearning for J-nationality. And here I am. thinking I've heard it all.

"Christa Deguchi: The judoka who could come back to haunt Japan"

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/24/sport/christa-deguchi-judo-japan-canada-tokyo-2020-spt/index.html

I guess she shouldn't be allowed to compete for Canada! Enne?!