Eyes on the prize

Amid the bustle of the World Surf League Championship Tour event in Peniche last month, Kanoa Igarashi, the American-Japanese national and Portuguese resident pro-surfer, sat for an interview with The Portugal News to share his unique perspective on professional surfing.

Kanoa was born in the US to Japanese parents, yet for him, competing in Portugal is like competing on his home turf. He often refers to Portugal as his home and has been known, for many years now, to reside in Ericeira and to have made financial investments in Portugal´s Silver Coast. “Portugal is where I spend most of my time nowadays,” Kanoa explains, “I think the quality of life here is amazing. Everyone is super kind- I love it here. Some of my best friends are here, which was one of the main reasons I moved here. For me, Portugal is the best country in the world. So, the competition in Peniche, being super close to home and having my friends around, is an important contest for me personally.”

Kanoa´s unique path to surfing stardom began with his parents’ decision to leave Japan behind and emigrate to California so their children could have the best opportunities growing up. Naturally, this made Kanoa highly committed not only to his career but even more so to his family. “It means a lot, you know,” Kanoa reflects, “it shows the love parents have for their children, and I’m forever grateful for that. They did everything to give me the best possible life. And now we’re living this dream together. Whatever we do, we do as a family, and whatever success I achieve, it’s thanks to them. I think that for what I do, you need a team. My family is my team. My girlfriend is a part of my team. My close friends are part of my team. When it’s their time, I support them one hundred per cent. And when it’s my time, they support me one hundred per cent. So, my priority is always family and friends, and then surfing. Surfing is a huge part of my life, but it´s just one portion of my life. It’s giving me so much, and I’m super thankful for surfing. However, I will never forget that at the end of the day, family is always first.”

Kanoa is known in the surfing world as a master of style. As an athlete who aspires to perform at the highest technical level, but also achieve perfection in the aesthetics of his athletic performance. “I surf the way I want to surf, you know?” Kanoa expounds. “I don’t surf for scores, I don’t surf for competitions, I surf for myself, and that’s my main priority. I think it’s important to have style. I’d rather have a good style and do my own thing, even if it doesn’t score. At least this way, I’m doing my best, and what makes me happy.”

Heritage

His approach to style, he has said, is linked to his Japanese heritage, a heritage he was privileged to represent in the 2020/21 Tokyo Olympic Games, where he surfed for Japan and won the Silver Medal. “It changed my life, and I’ll never forget that moment when I got the medal,” Kanoa recalls. “Competing in the first-ever Olympics for surfing was such a special moment. I felt crazy pressure, you know, a very strong, nervous energy. But it ended up working out; we got a medal. And it was something that I never thought I’d feel in my life. To experience that was really cool. It’s so special; the Olympics changed surfing for the better. We’re in a position now where so many people tune in to watch the Olympics because of surfing. And so many people are watching surfing now because of the Olympics. It’s really cool to be part of this era when it’s all starting.”

Kanoa´s career is already abundant with achievements, yet he is still young and athletically peaking. At 26 years old and currently ranked in the top ten surfers of the WSL, he feels that his greatest achievements are yet to come. “Yeah, I think I’m just getting started, you know, like I’m about to enter my prime years. It’s been a good year so far with scores, and I feel like the judges appreciate my style and technique, so I’m super happy with that. And I’m just gonna keep going and not lose focus. Everything that I learned growing up through my rookie years, I’m putting it together to give my best five-six years, starting now. I feel healthier than ever, fitter than ever and stronger than ever. I have great opportunities in the WSL, and the Olympics will be in three years. So the timing is really good for me. I’m excited to get on that journey and aim for that world title and the gold medal.”

With a passion for surfing and writing, Yariv Kav moved to Portugal´s wave capital from his native Israel. He was awarded a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manchester back when Oasis was still cool, and a diploma with distinction from the London School of Journalism in Feature and Freelance Writing. Loves travel, languages and human stories.

Yariv Kav