Izu Activity Report (SUP)

As this is the first report to tell you about activities on the Izu Peninsula, after much thought, I came up with the simple idea that "When you think of the Izu Peninsula, you think of the sea!!" and, as someone who hasn't been getting enough exercise lately, I thought I would like to try something called SUP!

SUP is an abbreviation of stand up paddle board, a water activity that originated in Hawaii. You stand on a board that is a little bigger than a surfboard and move forward on the water by paddling.

I got in touch with Nomura-san, who runs SUP tours in Minami Izu.

I was able to do it. I thought it would be good to have a clear indicator like that, so I would like to take my staff, including myself (a 20-something who is not very active), and others in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, on a cave tour. I have never done SUP before, but can I do it?

So I inquired about it.

Most of the people are beginners. Almost no one can stand up, so it's fine.

I think I can do this!

I wanted to get this information out to you before summer arrives so you can enjoy it, so I booked the SUP before the rainy season.

However, the event was postponed the first time due to rain, the second time due to wind, and the third time due to wind... It was postponed again and again. I'm not only a rain girl, but I'm also a wind girl.

By the way, you can enjoy SUP even in the rain. There are ways to enjoy rain.

Anyway, the rainy season has ended, but the day of the interview has finally arrived!!

A perfect day for SUP!!

The weather was clear along the way and we could see Mt. Fuji in the distance!

We arrived at the Koura Ward parking lot. The bay is very quiet as it is not a swimming beach.

It's finally time to get ready.

First, you will wear a life jacket and be taught how to put on a helmet. Marine shoes can be rented even if you do not have them.

I felt excited, like I was going on an adventure.

We will then travel to the beach where we will be taught the precautions and safety measures to take when doing SUP, as well as how to hold and row the paddle.

You can rest assured that the instructions are easy to understand even for beginners.

The board we will be using this time has high buoyancy and is stable and easy to ride, making it ideal for beginners.

Finally, we hop on the board and set off.

It was surprisingly easy to ride... Everyone was able to stand!

Shortly after we started rowing, two staff members started complaining that their legs were hurting. They said that their legs were hurting because they were putting too much pressure on their legs to avoid falling.

If you fall, you won't be able to exert yourself.

We paddle a little and head towards the quay.

Here you will learn how to change direction and how to stop.

After being taught how to make a somewhat difficult turn, the staff members fell one by one.

I can't put any strength into my legs lol

It was the end of the rainy season and it was very hot that day, so the ocean felt amazing! The sea water temperature was around 24-25 degrees, a little cool and comfortable.

Here you will be taught how to get back on the board if you fall.

"There are fish here," said our instructor, Mr. Nomura. So we went closer and... which ones?

This is a fish. It looks like a dead leaf.

This fish, called the reef flyfish, is thought to mimic dead leaves because it swims in a fluttering, floating manner.

By the way, I forgot to take a photo while I was checking to see if they really were dead leaves, so I explained using the photo that Nomura had taken.

Once you've learned how to stop and turn, it's time to set off on your adventure!!

In many places, layers of rock can be seen due to wave erosion.

It shows that volcanic ash that was once on the ocean floor has solidified and come to the surface.

First, you will pass through a natural tunnel.

We lined up in a line and made careful adjustments to our boards as we moved forward.

Well, we arrived at the first cave.

According to Nomura, the caves change depending on the day and time, and some are passable, some are impassable, some are eroded by waves, some collapse, and so on. That's what makes it so interesting, says Nomura.

*The sunlight is so strong that water droplets on the camera are reflecting light.

Finally, the cave!!

Apparently, rocks do fall in the cave on rare occasions, so SUP Minamiizu members wear helmets for safety. (Although no one has been hit by one.)

At first, he was worried that the helmet would be unpopular, but on the contrary, it was well received because of the sense of adventure it gives off.

The cave is so high that you have to crawl inside to get through, and the light shining in was very beautiful. It's thrilling! It's so much fun that you can go around it several times.

When you pass through the cave and look back, you will see beautiful geological formations and crystal clear waters.

Good! It's so good!! (It's so good I'm at a loss for words.)

From here, we head out to sea. Following Nomura's instructions, we proceed carefully so as not to interfere with boat routes or fishing.

Thanks to the breakwater, there are no waves in the bay and it is easy to maintain balance, so we can move forward with ease.

As we reached the side of the breakwater, we saw bigger swells in front of us. I wondered if we could make it, but it was also fun.

The feeling of the board floating up on the waves was amazing, and when I moved the paddle in time with the waves, I was propelled forward in one go. At this time, the theme from Indiana Jones was playing in my head the whole time lol

However, because of the waves, if you let your guard down and take a short break, you will be pushed back immediately. On the way, one of the staff members was blown off the board by the waves. It looked difficult to get on the board in the waves.

After rowing a fair distance, about 1.5km, overcoming rough waves (in my opinion), we arrived at a larger cave than the one we had just been to. The view was spectacular! I was glad I had rowed so hard. When we got close to the cave, it felt cool and the temperature had dropped a little.

From inside the cave you can hear the echoing sounds of waves, "boom" and "splash."

As you go further inside, the temperature drops even further, and the inside of the cave, which was formed over a long period of time, has a fantastical atmosphere.

As I walked deeper into the cave and looked back,

Again, there was a magnificent view.

It seems like you could lie down on the SUP here and float for hours.

It's a spectacular view that makes you realize there is still so much about Izu that you don't know.

About 20 to 30 cm above the surface of the water, I could see some vivid colors.

It is a coral called Iboyagi. Its bright orange color is visible even in the dimly lit cave. It seems to live in places with little sunlight.

After enjoying the cave to your heart's content, we head along the cliff.

The waves seem to be as big as ever, but Nomura paddles smoothly. Amazing!

Here I found my favorite spot.

Ta-da!! I love the grandiose feel of Dragon Quest.

With the Dragon Quest theme playing in my head, I headed towards a rocky area with exceptional transparency. Here, too, I was able to see coral. This time it was red coral. Looking closely, it looks like a rooster's comb. It's called an alcyon. (Actually, it's called the Alcyonacea.) That's just how it is!! Lol

We could find schools of squid and young fish on the shallow rocks.

We make our way through the maze-like rocky area.

"Young people look at the columnar jointed cliffs and say they look like something out of Minecraft."

It's true, my mind is always in the world of games.

Finally, we came to a small cave.

It's so narrow! I can't get in unless I crouch down.

I bent down a little to go in. Inside was a cavern large enough for me to stand in.

A solid 2 hours (3 hours this time for research purposes)

We all came back to the beach exhausted, but we all agreed it was fun and very satisfied!

Our instructor, Mr. Nomura, will give you a detailed explanation of the geological features, allowing you to fully enjoy the magnificent nature of Izu and also giving you the opportunity to learn more about the Izu Peninsula.

We also had photos taken during the tour, which made for a great memory. (Nomura-san is a great photographer!)

The tour content is carefully designed so that anyone can enjoy it casually, so those with physical strength can paddle a lot, and those who want to relax can enjoy snorkeling. They also offer dog SUP, so dogs can join in the fun.

What did you think? Please give it a try this summer!

↓↓↓The official website of SUP Minamiizu is here↓↓↓

SUP Minami Izu HP