Post by Perry on Aug 7, 2011 1:44:02 GMT -5
If you have been spending countless hours on Google Earth and Surfline like I had been before arriving here then chances are surfing is one of your top priorities. So as a surfer in Kagoshima Prefecture prepare to be amazed. It has few crowds, a variety of breaks, and year-round warm water. The surfers here are some of the kindest people and often share local information without any hesitation. However the surf is far from consistent, except for the islands, and often blown out. The Japanese term “gaman” is a good attitude to have during the lulls.
Let’s start with the islands. The beautiful subtropical island of Amami has several quality reef breaks. Both sides of the island break all year round. Tanegashima Island is situated just south of the Osumi Peninsula. The island is literally covered with quality beach and reef breaks. The east side of the island gets the brunt of deep-water long period energy coming from the Pacific. The coastal bathymetry of the island focuses swell energy on many spots providing fast peaky conditions. The inhibiting factor with all the islands is the strong winds that accompany most swell events.
Now to Kyushu island. The main island has many options but it’s very seasonally sensitive. Winter winds coming from Siberia produce strong wind-swell, which refracts around the western Satsuma peninsula. Win- ter swells have a generally northwestern pattern. The coast from northern Satsuma-Sendai to Eiguchi- hama is somewhat consistent during winter months.
In June, large Low-pressure systems originating near Taiwan kick up nice Southwestern energy lasting until mid-July. This is known as the Japanese Rainy season and is a great time to explore the fickle but quality west coast from Sendai to Ibusuki. A good bet during these months is Ei, located between Ibusuki and Makurazaki.
Typhoon season, which last from June to November, is the time to be happy. Warm water and sometimes- perfect long-period swell will light up breaks you never even knew existed. If these monster lows are wreaking havoc on Taiwan or China, then the Satsuma peninsula is firing. When the waves are too easterly to hit Sat- suma, your best bet if you’re on the main-island is Miyazaki. The coast from Nichinan to Northern Miyazaki prefecture is Japan’s gold coast. It’s only a few hours from Kagoshima city. Trust me you will spend lots of gas money surfing these breaks but it’s worth every bit of yen.
Miyazaki break information is well documented online. Satsuma breaks are not. From North to South, West to East, here is a list of good spots and their best seasons.
l Nishi-kata 西方
This break is located On the 3 highway. It is a good bet in winter when the swell is very northerly. During the rainy season and typhoon season it is fickle but at times good.
l Arakawa
A somewhat secret sometimes Rincon-esc point break located on the 43. Very fickle but has the potential to fire all year. In winter, when other spots are big and dumpy, this spot can be classic.
l Eguchihama 江口浜
This beach break is very sensitive to the wind and also crowded for Kagoshima standards.
l Ei town has many breaks. Oniguchi, irino, yagoshi, and mawatari are the more consistent ones and can on occasion deliver some solid rides. Chiran has a fairly dangerous reef, which sometimes produces nice right barrels. This spot however is extremely dangerous on low tides and is relatively hard to find. Ei works all year round but is best during the rainy season and typhoon seasons. It faces south so when a strong low is unleashing its fury on Taiwan, China, or the Ryukyu islands Ei town will be in a direct path of long range energy.
There are a few surf shops in Kagoshima city. Murasaki Sports in Tenmonkan is the largest and generally a great place to ask for tips. There are also nice surf shops in Eguchihama and Nishikata.
Tanegashima has several, Origin being my favourite. If you have any questions, or want to go for a surf please contact me at: mdursum@gmail.com.
-Matt Dursum
Let’s start with the islands. The beautiful subtropical island of Amami has several quality reef breaks. Both sides of the island break all year round. Tanegashima Island is situated just south of the Osumi Peninsula. The island is literally covered with quality beach and reef breaks. The east side of the island gets the brunt of deep-water long period energy coming from the Pacific. The coastal bathymetry of the island focuses swell energy on many spots providing fast peaky conditions. The inhibiting factor with all the islands is the strong winds that accompany most swell events.
Now to Kyushu island. The main island has many options but it’s very seasonally sensitive. Winter winds coming from Siberia produce strong wind-swell, which refracts around the western Satsuma peninsula. Win- ter swells have a generally northwestern pattern. The coast from northern Satsuma-Sendai to Eiguchi- hama is somewhat consistent during winter months.
In June, large Low-pressure systems originating near Taiwan kick up nice Southwestern energy lasting until mid-July. This is known as the Japanese Rainy season and is a great time to explore the fickle but quality west coast from Sendai to Ibusuki. A good bet during these months is Ei, located between Ibusuki and Makurazaki.
Typhoon season, which last from June to November, is the time to be happy. Warm water and sometimes- perfect long-period swell will light up breaks you never even knew existed. If these monster lows are wreaking havoc on Taiwan or China, then the Satsuma peninsula is firing. When the waves are too easterly to hit Sat- suma, your best bet if you’re on the main-island is Miyazaki. The coast from Nichinan to Northern Miyazaki prefecture is Japan’s gold coast. It’s only a few hours from Kagoshima city. Trust me you will spend lots of gas money surfing these breaks but it’s worth every bit of yen.
Miyazaki break information is well documented online. Satsuma breaks are not. From North to South, West to East, here is a list of good spots and their best seasons.
l Nishi-kata 西方
This break is located On the 3 highway. It is a good bet in winter when the swell is very northerly. During the rainy season and typhoon season it is fickle but at times good.
l Arakawa
A somewhat secret sometimes Rincon-esc point break located on the 43. Very fickle but has the potential to fire all year. In winter, when other spots are big and dumpy, this spot can be classic.
l Eguchihama 江口浜
This beach break is very sensitive to the wind and also crowded for Kagoshima standards.
l Ei town has many breaks. Oniguchi, irino, yagoshi, and mawatari are the more consistent ones and can on occasion deliver some solid rides. Chiran has a fairly dangerous reef, which sometimes produces nice right barrels. This spot however is extremely dangerous on low tides and is relatively hard to find. Ei works all year round but is best during the rainy season and typhoon seasons. It faces south so when a strong low is unleashing its fury on Taiwan, China, or the Ryukyu islands Ei town will be in a direct path of long range energy.
There are a few surf shops in Kagoshima city. Murasaki Sports in Tenmonkan is the largest and generally a great place to ask for tips. There are also nice surf shops in Eguchihama and Nishikata.
Tanegashima has several, Origin being my favourite. If you have any questions, or want to go for a surf please contact me at: mdursum@gmail.com.
-Matt Dursum
