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."
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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.
