Wheelchair Rugby Torunobu Ike experiences kayaking & yacht at Universal Beach!

"YASU Sea Station Club" in Yasu-cho, Konan City is one of the facilities that promote "universal tourism". "Universal tourism" is a trip that everyone can enjoy. The club has a system in place where everyone, regardless of age or disability, can enjoy Malin activities. This time, the captain of the Japan Wheelchair Rugby National Team, Torunobu Ike, challenged the first kayaking & yacht! I'll tell you the pattern. 

YASU Sea Station Club facing the beautiful sea 

About 15 minutes by car from Kochi Ryoma Airport. The NPO YASU Sea Station Club stands along the seaside near Yassi Park.

This is the place where the sailing competition was held in Kochi National Athletic Meet in 2002. Taking advantage of its well-equipped facilities and the blessed natural environment, we are promoting activities to promote various Malin activities such as sea kayaking, yacht, SUP, and snorkeling. 

The theme of the YASU Sea Station Club is "Malin activities that everyone can enjoy in a sea that doesn't belong to anyone." We promote "universal tourism" that everyone can enjoy, and we regularly set up "universal beaches" at Ya-Sea Park Beach in front of the club to assist swimming and Malin activities. 

Sea kayaking & yacht experience that can be integrated with the wind 

This time, Mr. Yukinobu Ike from Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture visited Yasu-cho.

Ike had a traffic accident at the age of 19, and his left leg was amputated. There is also a disability on the left hand, but after that, he starts wheelchair rugby and represents his head, becoming the captain of the Japan National Team. He also won a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games Rio Games and Tokyo Games. It is an ace of the Japanese wheelchair rugby world that continues to evolve toward the 2024 Paris Games. 

I really love the outdoors. You can go fishing bonito in the sea with a boat license, go fishing black bass in the dam lake, and go camping with friends in summer.
“But the sea has been a little far away lately. When the wheelchair goes to the sand, the tires are buried and unable to move, and when the sand is entangled, it breaks. But today I am looking forward to being able to do activities using tools. I think it will be a good challenge.”

Guided by Mr. Okada, a staff member of the YASU Sea Station Club, Ike wears a life jacket. In addition, choose kayak and paddle and head to the bay in front of you. 

On the beach, there was a dedicated beach mat that could be used in wheelchairs. Mr. Ike moves to the shore and gets on the kayak.

You will receive a lecture on how to hold the paddle and how to row. "I'll follow you nearby, so you can freely go anywhere you like in the bay," says Okada. The bay of Yasu has calm waves, so even beginners can feel safe.

The kayak carrying Mr. Ike was lifted by four staff members and landed, and traveled to the sea gently. As expected, it is the first kayak that is an athlete, but it moves smoothly through the bay without overturning.

“It’s hard to balance, but it’s really fun! If you move as taught, it will go smoothly. I want to go fishing with this!" he showed me a full smile.  

Ike, who enjoyed kayaking for a while and returned to the beach, next is a challenge to yacht.

I boarded a small yacht for beginners, and four staff members lifted it up to the sea. The staff will teach you how to operate and move it exactly as it moves forward.

"It's fast! It's funny!" Following the kayak, this is going well too.

"When I moved the way I was taught, I got a little trick. I wonder if the wind was on your side,” Mr. Ike said.

"At first, when I was told that the wind was coming in, I didn't know at all. However, when I caught it well and speeded up, I felt a sense of unity with nature. If you can catch the wind, you will feel this charm even more. It’s hard, because it’s hard!” 。 

Everyone enjoys marine sports in Kochi! 

I asked Mr. Ike who came back to the beach again for his impressions.

"It's like a child, but it was really fun (laughs). It's so fun to play in nature. Some people gave up in wheelchairs, but I realized I didn’t have to give up.” 

This experience supported by YASU Sea Station Club. Mr. Ike said, "A lot of people helped me, and with that support, I enjoyed this much. I want a lot of people to know how to enjoy it easily.” 

And he seems to be quite interested in the dedicated mat laid on the beach.
"You can't move in the sand with a wheelchair at all. But if you have this mat, I’ll go on normally. I think it is convenient not only for wheelchairs, but also for strollers, silver cars, and those who use canes. Even if you don't do big work such as making a slope with concrete, spreading this mat will make it easier for everyone to walk. I hope these things will become more popular and more people will be able to use them.” 

"In addition, with regard to wheelchairs, for example, for beaches with large tyres, light and durable, and more supportable, will be born more. Then everyone can enjoy Malin activities.”
He shared his thoughts on universal tourism as the voices of the parties concerned.

Finally, I received a message from Mr. Ike.

"It was really fun to be together with nature today. I want children to experience these things more and more, playing in nature while taking care of nature. The YASU Sea Station Club, which I experienced today, has facilities and I was able to learn from the staff. After all, I think it's important to learn and protect manners and enjoy them. From now on, I want to enjoy Malin activities even more!” 。 

Facility information