The team participating in the mega-sup race in Shimanto River challenges! Results and how

"Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawarakko" is located on the banks of the clear stream Shimanto River, which flows through Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture, surrounded by rich nature. 

This section introduces how the sports team, who heard that the mega-sup race will be held for the first time this year at the Kawarakko Village Festival, which is held every year in Kawarakko, has been trying to win the championship. 

Newly established at Kawarakko Village Festival! “The first time!! Mega sup race!! 」

Mega sap is a large sap that can accommodate up to 7 adults. The shape of the sap is similar to the surfboard, but unlike the surfboard, it is a board that inflates with air. This is a water sport where you can stand on the board, hold a paddle, and enjoy a walk on the water by rowing. 

Mr. O who participated in the race as a support member of the team 

"Our members are staff from various ways of involvement, including on-site support, advisors, and production staff. I learned that there was this mega-sup race, and thought that the friendship between the members could be deepened, so I decided to participate. I will try to win!” 

Mr. T, a member participating in the race this time, arrives at Kawarakko, and enters the water so that it can be sucked into the river. 

There was a cloud on the day, but it is reasonable to want to enter unintentionally, Shimanto River is one of the three major clear streams in Japan and the water is very beautiful! 

On this day, the water was so clear that I could see fish swimming on the bottom of the river. 

Challenge the Mega Sup Race!

Wearing a life jacket, members of all five teams were shaken by bus along the road along the Shimanto River for about 5 minutes and arrived at the starting point upstream. 

At the starting point, Kawarakko's guide will receive explanations on the rules and safety aspects of the race, give a lecture on how to row the paddle, and go to Mega Sup! ! 

Mega sap is only a size that can accommodate 7 adults with a total length of 5.5m, and if you look up close, Osako power! 

6 participating members will ride a Mega Sup one by one. Determine the position to ride in consideration of weight, etc., and determine the power balance on the left and right when rowing. 

"Previous rowing! The right song! Next is the left!", everyone practiced loudly. 

T says, “You can control the Megasup more than you imagined! You might be surprised!” he was confident.

After 5 minutes of training, the race starts! 

All 5 teams started to ride together! The sporting team succeeds in the start dash and runs to the top. 

At the beginning of the course, a gentle place where you hardly feel the flow continues, and you have to keep rowing, and your physical strength is exhausted unexpectedly. 

After a while, there is a place where the flow is a little faster, and here each team accelerates at once. At this point, the race continues unchanged, but the team behind the second place approached.

Turn the final curve, finally the straight game! 

Is the sporting team running at the top from the start able to escape? 

Two teams will win, squeeze the last strength, and play dead heat! ! 

What is the future of the game?… 

As a result, I was beaten by the second team just before the goal, and unfortunately second place. 

After finishing the course of about 2.6 km, all the members used up their power and worked out. 

"There was a point where the flow was a little faster, but I was able to continue racing with peace of mind in a place where the flow was almost calm! I'm sorry I couldn't win, so I want to challenge again!" said T-kun, the youngest member of the team. 

Kawarakko Village Festival

The Kawarakko Village Festival, where a mega sap race was held, but there were many attractive events besides the race.

There were festival stalls, Wanko soba fast eating competition, kids corner where children can play while feeling nature, rental sauna, slack line, and many events where they could experience and learn about the culture of the Shimanto River basin. In addition, I was able to experience canoeing and sap with one coin (500 yen). 

Salt grilled natural sweetfish from Shimanto River. 

"Ayu eaten here is very delicious even though it is seasoned only with salt. It was the most delicious sweetfish I have ever eaten. Ayu from Shimanto River.' 

We asked Mr. Taniguchi, Secretary-General of Kawarakko, about the background of the tournament.

"I wanted to make good use of the mega sap in Kawarakko, so I decided to hold a race because I thought that it would be exciting if I made it into a race format, so I thought that many people would understand the mega sap. 

The course of the tournament was less than 3 km, and the participants seemed quite difficult. However, I think that it was possible to have a good course with a wide river width and no strong flow. I would like to take on the challenge of holding the next event again as Kawarakko. " 

We also talked about the facilities of Kawarakko. 

"There are 26 camp sites, and accommodation facilities such as bungalows and Shimanto Hinoki House. The facility was built based on the concept of staying here and enjoying activities in Shimanto River, so it is a facility where many people can come to Shimanto River and enjoy Shimanto River. 

There are kayaks, 3-seater saps, 7-seater mega saps, Canadian canoes, etc., and there are many people who enjoy not only camping but also as a set with river activities. 

The number of customers used is the largest in the prefecture, but they come evenly from outside the prefecture. Recently, the number of overseas customers has increased, and it has doubled compared to the previous year. 

The river width is wide and it is a place where beginners can enjoy safely, so I would like you to visit and stay and enjoy activities in nature. " 

At the "Kawarakko Village Festival" held every year, this year's "1st! ! ! Mega sup race!! With the new establishment, we were more excited than last year. 

Kawarakko, which has an environment where you can experience nature through river activities, camps, accommodations, etc., is focusing on new events and activities one after another, so it is expected to show even more excitement. 

By all means, please visit "Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawarakko" to enjoy nature. It will be a great experience, no doubt! 

Facility introduction