[Rider Interview] Yuki Ota, mother, rider, and parent, paints a picture of the future of parent-child snowboarding. From "enjoying" to "raising."

Yuki Ota is a rider who hosts kids' lessons and camps, and hosts official and amateur competitions. Her own children have now grown up enough to compete in competitions, and the time spent on snowy mountains, where they used to just "play together," has now changed into a place where they "challenge each other." We spoke to her, who is a mother, a rider, and a "nurturer" who connects snowboarding culture to the future, about her current reality and her outlook for the future.

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Q1. Since our last interview, how has your snowboarding life changed with your child's growth?　

Ota: In the past, I just wanted to have fun with my kids, but now we're a complete team (laughs). Both my older and younger kids compete in competitions, and there are times when I feel like I'm completely losing out on the jib. (laughs) In the previous article,Please check here. Skating together is an inspiration for each other, and this season we even competed in an official slalom competition for the first time as a father and son. Before I knew it, we were more like "friends improving together" rather than just teaching each other, and it's a lot of fun.

From "having fun together" to "improving together"

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Q2. How do you feel now as a parent and as a rider watching over your children?

Ota: As a parent, I am very concerned about safety. But as a rider, there have been times in the past when I felt like, "Maybe this is the time to be aggressive...", so I am always conscious of that balance. Lately, I feel more like I'm treating him not as a "coach" or a "parent", but as a "comrade taking on a challenge together". The moments when we ski together and are amazed by each other and say, "Wow, that's amazing!" are truly the best!

Recently, as children's skills have improved, it has become more important to judge "how far to let them challenge themselves" and "when to apply the brakes."

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Q3. You are expanding your kid's camps, parent-child events, and educational opportunities for mothers. What is the theme that you are focusing on now?

Ota: Nowadays, I see some scenes where children who are still immature in terms of body and technique are forced to do difficult things, prioritizing "looking good" or "eye-catching techniques" in some places... To be honest, it makes me very worried. I think that "challenge" and "recklessness" are different. If you get injured, it's all for nothing, and you can only improve by taking the right steps. At our camps and events, we value "safety" and "basics" above all else. First of all, you need to be able to do a good free run. Only then can you take on a challenge that you can truly think is "fun!" Don't rush, you'll get better, so it's okay. I want to take a "long-term" view of children's futures, and I want to create a place where parents can share that awareness with me.

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Q4. I imagine you give it your all every day as both a mother and a rider, but are there any moments when you can return to your true self or reset your mind?

Ota: Actually, I incorporate yoga into my daily life, and just focusing on my breathing helps me to get in tune with myself. I like the original Hatha yoga, and it allows me to face my inner self in quiet time. Also, just being in nature mysteriously makes me feel energized. Even if I'm busy, if I can take a moment to take a breather, I can do my best again. I try to consciously create such "time to stop." I continue to hold yoga classes, and recently I've also been doing temple yoga.　@yujlife_yoga

Q5. MC/Athletics…What a new challenge teaches me

Ota: Recently, I've been taking on more "new challenges," such as serving as the MC for the official PSA and JSBA matches, which I've been invited to do for the past few years. In addition to proceeding with the event, I also have to concentrate on not getting the names of the techniques wrong, and liven up the venue while understanding the feelings of the athletes... it's nerve-wracking, but very rewarding. I take the microphone with the desire to "make the tournament even more exciting" while working with the association members. Because I'm in a position to communicate, I want to cherish the power of words and creating a good atmosphere.

And actually, I'm now also taking up track and field because of my kids' influence (laughs). When I was practicing with them, their coach asked me to join the junior high school relay and run the 1000m, and I've also run the 100m personally, and I'm going to try the long jump next (laughs). By actually taking on challenges myself, I can really understand how the kids feel when they take on challenges. I feel happy and excited about those times, and I feel really lucky to have been blessed with my teammates, parents, and coaches.

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Q5. Is there anything you would like to challenge yourself with in the future?

Ota: I want to create a future where parent-child snowboarding is not something special but something that is "the norm." I want to expand the relationship so that we can not only enjoy it together, but also grow together. I now have many opportunities to snowboard with small preschool children, and I am celebrating the 10th year since I started hosting the event at Fujiten Snow Resort. NERiNE Snowboard Academy @nerine.sa In the "Parent-Child Snowboarding Class" at Sayama Ski Resort, I face kids who are riding a board for the first time. In addition, I am in charge of lessons for children who are experiencing snowboarding for the first time three times a year as a head coach in the "Futurehead" program at Sayama Ski Resort. Of course, the "Snow Mama Circle" is also very popular. In the future, I would like to focus on supporting kids who are improving their level and aiming for the next stage. This season, we also held "Freeride Kids Lessons for 3 nights and 2 days away from parents" twice at Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort. We are thinking of further plans, and although there are some parts that we cannot say specifically yet, we are definitely starting to move with an eye on the "next form".

I also hope to be a presence that supports the entire scene by being an MC for official matches and organizing events, and by being on the "communication side."

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Q6. How do you make time to be active in your busy daily life?

Ota: Honestly, I hardly have time to sit down (laughs). My basic style is to think while I'm on the move. Time isn't something that's "somewhere," but rather how I make it. The key is to plan things well and be able to move quickly. Thankfully, I'm good at "continuing," so no matter how busy I am, I think I have the stamina and will to "continue doing what I want to do." Recently, my children have been very cooperative, carrying my luggage and making rice balls for me. We're already "Team Ota" (laughs). Maybe I can continue because we have a relationship where we can prepare together and support each other like this. Since I started thinking like this, "I share what I want to do with my family and make it happen together," I've started to feel positive about being busy. But this job actually has a very severe side in that "if my child gets a fever, I can't go to the site at that moment." That's why I'm very careful about managing my health. I make my meals as homemade as possible. I basically make homemade snacks as well, and I choose organic ingredients as much as possible. Thanks to you, my children don't catch colds very often. They are able to continue their activities because they stay healthy. That's why I also place great importance on the "invisible" aspects, such as their diet and daily rhythm.

Q9. How do you spend your off-season? Is there anything you're looking forward to?

Ota: Having fun during my off-season is extremely important (laughs). First of all, the Kamui Misaka Ski Resort is close by, so I've been enjoying the indoor half-pipe for over 20 years since my competitive days. I also like surfing, SUP, and skateboarding, and I often go to the beach or river in the summer. I guess I just love moving my body in nature.

The sensation of riding the waves and gliding while feeling the wind is something that is common to snowboarding. I feel like I'm just having fun, but my sense of balance and body movements are naturally improved.

Also, being able to do different things in each season feels like a very rich lifestyle, and I like to go on leisurely trekking and feel nature. Being "active all year round" is my style, and I want to continue it forever. But actually, I also like kimonos (laughs). I've made several for myself, and I'm so into them that I can wear them myself. They're all a bit messy, but anyway, it's all fun. I think being true to the things I like is what makes me who I am. Also, I'm casually on YouTube, so please check it out if you're interested (laughs).　https://www.youtube.com/@NERINEYUKIOTA

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Any final words!! Ota: "There are certain views that can only be seen because we have children" With this in mind, I hope to continue spreading the joy and possibilities of snowboarding with my family and friends. I want to make it even more commonplace to continue having fun on snowy mountains with my children! And I hope to enjoy playing on snowy mountains with my children to the fullest♪ We'll laugh and ski together, and sometimes fall (lol). It would be great to cherish these times and connect with all kinds of people!