YAMANAKAKO, Yamanashi Prefecture ― Wakeboarding is the ultimate extreme water sport, fusing elements of water skiing, surfing, snowboarding, and skating. Towed behind a speeding motorboat, riders launch off the boat's wake to perform mind-blowing aerial tricks. Picture combinations of spins, rolls and flips with names like Slim Chance, X-Mobe, Skeezer and KGB.
Wakeboarding arrived in Japan from the United States in the late 1980s and has since grown remarkably. Over half a million people across the country engage in the sport today, and there are around 150 active pros. Among Japan's stars is 19-year-old Taiga Takamura.
Turning pro at just 12 years old, Taiga has already claimed some major domestic titles. He currently leads the 2024 Japan Wakeboarding Association men's tour with two wins out of two from four rounds. His evolution has been phenomenal, driven by hard work, dedication and the thrill of mastering new tricks.
"With wakeboarding, it's an amazing feeling as you glide across the water's surface and feel the wind," Taiga enthuses during an interview in mid-June 2024. "Then, of course, there are the tricks. As they get more complex, it takes more time to master them. But when you finally 'make' a trick, it's incredibly rewarding. There's no better buzz."
Taiga's Coaching Edge
Taiga attributes much of his success to the guidance of his father and coach, Tetsuji, a former pro with a university degree in physical education.
"My father's teaching methods are top level because he tailors everything to match the rider's style without putting too much strain on the athlete's body." Taiga explains: "My Dad was strict with me in the past and was more hands-on, but these days, I have a better sense of executing tricks on my own. I've become more adept at figuring things out for myself, so he mostly leaves things up to me now."
Riding Under the Eye of Mount Fuji
Flat, still water, known among riders as "butter," is ideal for wakeboarding, so most riders prefer riding on lakes. With the tranquility of a lake, it's easier to predict how the water will behave and where the waves will come from since they are generated by the boat, unlike the chaotic nature of the ocean.
Taiga's home base is Lake Yamanaka, nestled at the foot of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, providing the ideal setting for his training. It's almost as if he is being protected by the venerated mountain as he rides, adding a sense of calmness and inspiration to his practice sessions.
"Mount Fuji and such a beautiful big lake provide a rare setting that would be hard to find anywhere in the world. With an awesome boat and lake and Japan's famous mountain, it's the ideal environment for wakeboarding," Taiga says, expressing a deep sense of gratitude.
A Sport of Skill, Style and Courage
In competition, judges look out for technical difficulty, jump height (otherwise known as "air"), and the amount of risk taken. Spicing tricks up with elements such as grabs of the board adds style, further enhancing the performance.
Taiga excels at tricks that mix vertical and horizontal rotations. One of his favorites, the "Scarecrow Mobius 540," involves a front flip while spinning around one and a half times. He recently mastered the double half cab roll, a trick involving two full flips that only a handful of riders can make.
Technical prowess is a given for mastering such complex tricks, but they also require tons of courage.
"Controlling your mental state is vital," Taiga shares. "If you fall, you can slam into the water hard and get hurt, so some tricks can be super scary. But if you feel fear, your thoughts spiral in the wrong direction. It's crucial to maintain a positive mindset and ride with the belief that you can do it."
This mindset is crucial for Taiga, who practices almost daily, come rain or shine, filling up ballast tanks with water pumped from the lake to weigh down the back of the boat to create even bigger wakes to launch himself off.
Training Innovations
Beyond his time on the water, Taiga incorporates various training techniques to refine his aerial skills. One key method is trampolining.
"To get accustomed to the feeling of twisting and turning in the air while wakeboarding, I often practice maneuvers on a trampoline," Taiga explains. "It helps me perfect my tricks in a controlled environment and builds the muscle memory necessary for executing complex moves when I get on the water."
Additionally, Taiga watches videos of other top wakeboarders to learn from their techniques and visualize new tricks.
"For tricks I haven't mastered yet or those I struggle with, I watch videos of other riders. I analyze how they perform the tricks, picture them in my mind, and then try replicating them on the water," he says.
The World Stage and Dreams of Orlando
In any domestic competition, Taiga will make the podium, often coming first. However, he still isn't quite at the level where he can seriously contend against the world's best.
His ultimate goal is to become a world champion and compete on the Pro Wakeboard Tour in the US, the highest credibility professional circuit in the world.
To achieve that final push, he feels he may need to shift his base to Orlando, Florida, the mecca for the world's top riders. Orlando is renowned for its exceptional training facilities and numerous lakes that provide the perfect environment for honing wakeboarding skills.
Additionally, its year-round subtropical climate allows for continuous practice and training. This mix of talent, resources and favorable weather makes Orlando the ideal location for Taiga's aspirations.
"I believe that training in Japan alone can get you to a world-class level, and I feel that more athletes from Japan will step onto the world stage in the future," Taiga says. "But I think it would benefit me to move to Orlando one day. Training with the world's best would be inspiring, and I could learn so much just by being around them. Wakeboarding is my life, after all."
At just 19 years old, Taiga Takamura's journey is a testament to the commitment, bravery and passion required to excel in this extreme and exhilarating sport. With his peak yet to come, he continues to train under the guidance of his father and push his limits.
The wakeboarding world eagerly awaits the day when Taiga will showcase his talents on the global stage.
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Author: Philip Dann
Philip Dann is a video journalist and producer, versatile across mediums with a background in documentary and news production that spans Japan and the UK. With a distinctive portfolio at NHK World, his work is recognized for its storytelling in sports, culture, travel, and social issues, offering insights through a multicultural lens.
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