Five people, Ryuichi Hekida, Satoshi Wada, Kei Munakata, Kazunori Tanaka and Ryo Hiwatari, who traveled to Utah, USA for about three weeks from the beginning of January 2019.The purpose is to shoot streets in Utah, USA.We ask Hekida, who planned this TRIP, to tell this dense three-week shooting story in two serials. <Part 1 Click here for more information.> Then, we prepared the goods necessary for shooting locally and proceeded with shooting at various spots including Rail Garden.What kind of story is waiting for them in the second half !?
Text: Ryuuichi Kabeta
Photo: Ryo Hiwatashi

The beginning of a nightmare

The spots also have a rough eye, so from here on, I'll put more effort into shooting.When the rail arrives at a famous spot where Kink & Elbow is done, rock-paper-scissors decides the order of sliding by making approaches and lips.
No matter where I go to the spots, I decide the order of skiing like this.

This day was from Kazutoshi Tanaka and Kei Munakata, who won the rock-paper-scissors game.

Kazutoshi, who started trying before the surroundings were ready, made a clean make-up!But this was the beginning of the nightmare of the day ...

Kazutoshi's B / S board slide

Kazutoshi, who was lightly impressed by the fact that he made it with just one shot, even before the start of shooting, said, "I can say anything else!"After a few runs, he couldn't fit the last down rail and was rolled up and smashed his hips on the ground.On this day, the snow was a little hard, so it sank.I had difficulty walking for a few days.

Kay's F / S Lip slide

Kay had been suffering from a mysterious illness from the second and third days after moving to the United States, but when she slipped, she took painkillers to cheat.And speaking of Kay, it's an invincible character among us.The reason is that no matter how flashy it is, it won't hurt or hurt.However, there is a tragedy for Kay.

Kay dried in the kink part ... It was a nice day when the laundry was easy to dry (laughs)
Kei faint in agony ... The rail has a complicated shape as you can see from the left end.

Kazutoshi and Kay, who were killed at this spot, and other members also wanted footage here, so they came to revenge again.I and Nao Wada (Sikal), who were in the second half of the group, also slipped lightly on this day and ended quietly.

There are days like this.Injuries are inherent in shooting, streets, and snowboarding, so it can't be helped.

On the way back, Kazutoshi stopped by the supermarket and got a cane (laughs).

Inside the car right after being killed (laughs). Both of them were in agony and couldn't move (laughs)

After that, I spent a few days relaxing.Go to the rail garden to practice, go to the natural hot springs, go to the drive, relax at home.During that time, there was a scene where only the members who could move were shooting.

Kazutoshi who got a cane
The rails here are fun and really practice

Another day

Since it was a holiday, I decided to attack a spot in the school and headed for the double down point.The point here was that there was little snow, so I took down the tools such as a shovel from the car and set it up first.But here too ...I lock the car key in (laughs).

Sliding tools such as boards are in the car ... OMG

If you call the car rental company and tell them that you have locked in, they will come in about an hour.During that time, I was waiting for an approach and landing. .. ..It doesn't come at all. .. ..

Sikal playing in-lock and free time
Kay sleeps because she is free to lock in
How to fold like a skate deck (laughs)

Even if I wait for about XNUMX hours, it won't come ...If you get rid of your numbness and call again, another person will answer you through the phone and unlock it by remote control! Do it from the beginning, like "Is there such a thing?" (Laughs).Well, shooting started while there was such a happening.

S / SB / S board slide by Shikaru Wade
F / S board slide by Ryuichi Kabeta

There was a happening called in-lock at the beginning of the shooting, but thanks to the shooting until late, I was able to see the beautiful sunset and night view.

S / SB / S Board slide by Shikaru Wade

On this day, I headed for revenge to Kink & Elbower, which I had visited before.The day before, it seemed that it had snowed a little in the city, and the beautiful snow was revived.For me, this day is also the most impressive day.This is because it was the day when I came up with the technique I wanted to do the last time I came and practiced that technique in the rail garden and went to try it.It was the day when I skated the most on this trip, so it left a strong impression on me.Besides, on this day, everyone was able to leave a video and I was able to eat IN-n-OUT on the way back, which was great!

Warm up by Ryuichi Kabeta (The sequence of this photo is on the gravure page of the December issue of FREERUN magazine)
It was good to be able to make up while breaking!

Next day is another famous ledge spot.Kay and Kazutoshi slipped in this spot, and I and Sikal devoted themselves to the shooting team.

As expected, there is only a sign in the snowy country
F / S Blant slide by Kazutoshi Tanaka

However, on the way, the guards got angry and moved.After that, I headed to the rail with the skate lock that Sikal was aiming for.

Check the video for the spots and situations at that time!


Another day

On this day, I headed for a spot in the park, which was a little less than an hour away from the town, with the round rails descending while curving.

Half cab in 5-0 by Shikaru Wada
F / S Lip slide by Kei Munakata

The shooting here was in the park, so I was able to take a relaxing shot.Moreover, there were many rails in the park, so I went there for two days in a row.

Sikal doing an approach check
B / S board slide by Kei Munakata

At night after shooting, my friend invited me to shoot a gun.

I was taken to a facility called TNT, where I could shoot clay pigeons and machine guns as well as normal shooting, so I wasn't familiar with guns at all, but it was really interesting!This kind of play is especially American.

And finally the Utah trip is also the last day.The last spot I went to was a loose down rail session at the school.

Kay's XNUMXth board slide
Kazutoshi struggled, but in the end he made a perfect F / S Board slide.
This day was the last day, so I played until the sun went down.This is the end of shooting!
From the left, Kazutoshi, Kay, Kabe, Sikal and Ryo Hiwatari who took the picture.

This trip started with an idea and was realized by gathering members.I was wondering what would happen if the troubles continued from the first entry (don't forget ESTA when going abroad), but when it was over, everyone was able to finish shooting safely and return to Japan.

After this trip, I really felt the difference in the environment for snowboarding between Japan and overseas.Of course there are various spots in the area, so it's natural, but it was a very enviable environment for local kids to slide on the street normally instead of on the slopes.
Perhaps the people in the town understand it, the uncle and aunt who are taking a walk are also friendly, and the older brother and older sister who are walking are also peaceful!I felt a big difference in the place where it is not an environment like Japan where "only a fixed place!"As expected, America is a country of freedom! ..
Well, when I get angry, I get very angry (laughs).

This is the movie of this trip ↓