Kitaizumi Surf Festival 2026 Wraps Up, Reiya Oba and Kokoro Baba Win
The Kitaizumi Surf Festival 2026 wrapped up after three days, from October 2 to 4, at Kitaizumi Beach in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture. Reiya Oba won the men's division, and Kokoro Baba won the women's division.
In the men's division, Reiya Oba (a goofy-footed surfer whose home break is Kugenuma) took first place, and Dai Fujiwara finished second. In the women's division, Kokoro Baba, who has been in great form this season, came first, and Mirai Ikeda, who had just won gold at the Asian Games, took second. In the kids' division (U-12), Masanari Fujimoto won the boys' title and Konami Oe won the girls'.
This is the fourth consecutive year the event has been held, with the goal of spreading the appeal and safety of Fukushima's coast both in Japan and abroad. This year it was run as a reconstruction support project selected for a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry subsidy program, aiming to attract more visitors through surfing and to clear away the reputational damage that followed the earthquake.
On the final day, October 4, many spectators came to cheer on the riders. The contest was run while watching the conditions, and the beach was busy with surfers, locals, and tourists.
Fifteen years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, I feel that surfing has become one way to share nature, culture, food, and tourism. Beyond the results, I think this event was a chance for people to get to know Kitaizumi.
Source: Surfing Life
In the men's division, Reiya Oba (a goofy-footed surfer whose home break is Kugenuma) took first place, and Dai Fujiwara finished second. In the women's division, Kokoro Baba, who has been in great form this season, came first, and Mirai Ikeda, who had just won gold at the Asian Games, took second. In the kids' division (U-12), Masanari Fujimoto won the boys' title and Konami Oe won the girls'.
This is the fourth consecutive year the event has been held, with the goal of spreading the appeal and safety of Fukushima's coast both in Japan and abroad. This year it was run as a reconstruction support project selected for a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry subsidy program, aiming to attract more visitors through surfing and to clear away the reputational damage that followed the earthquake.
On the final day, October 4, many spectators came to cheer on the riders. The contest was run while watching the conditions, and the beach was busy with surfers, locals, and tourists.
Fifteen years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, I feel that surfing has become one way to share nature, culture, food, and tourism. Beyond the results, I think this event was a chance for people to get to know Kitaizumi.
Source: Surfing Life
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