Interview with Masato Toda / INTERVIEW ~ A new season to make a leap forward ~

Masato Toda grew up in a privileged environment where he wore boards before he became an elementary school student and there are always many famous riders around him.Masato, who has been sponsored since he was a child, has appeared in many videos, and has long been known in the Japanese scene, has turned 21 years old.We asked Masato, who has begun to move toward new activities this season, about his thoughts.

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Photo: Kenta RAWmatsuda

What is the key to Masato's snowboarding?

Kikake is the influence of parents.It feels like my older brother Masaki (Seiki Toda) was really into it.I don't remember when I first wore a board when I was so crazy, but when I just started, I didn't really like snowboarding (laughs).At that time, I couldn't slip at all, and I said "I'm sorry".So, when I was in elementary school, I gradually wanted to do snowboarding, and that's when I started in earnest.
At that time, I often slid with Satoshi (Satoshi Shimada), who is also a founding member of SCLOVER. I was shown "Style is like this" in front of me, and I was trained at SNOVA Mizonokuchi and Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort with interesting ways of playing and not only skills but also ideas.I've only been snowboarding since I was little (laughs).When I was in the 4th grade of elementary school, I was sponsored for the first time and started working as a rider, so during the winter I lived in the mountains for a long time. During the heyday of SCLOVER, I was able to snowboard in a pretty good environment with myself.My parents also supported me by saying, "Do what you like."

How did you feel when you were snowboarding at that time?

At that time, I just enjoyed snowboarding.What Satoshi and his friends were doing was not a tournament, but a video, and I longed for it.Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to have people around me take pictures, and I had them put out CK4VM and SCLOVER's LOVE LIFE.Although small, I could see what I wanted to do.I think the world of video is how much you can pursue self-satisfaction, but it was great at that time because I enjoyed doing anything with the people around me.

Face the spot silently during shooting, leave a picture in a way that you are satisfied with, no matter how many times you get hit Photo: KentaRAWmatsuda
Face the spot silently during shooting, leave a picture in a way that you are satisfied with, no matter how many times you get hit Photo: KentaRAWmatsuda

After all, have you been influenced by watching videos from overseas or Japan?

No, I haven't seen any video at all.That's why I'm so ignorant of snowboarding.My big brother was really looking at it, but I was looking at it sideways.I've always been a person who hasn't been very interested in people around me.So, I don't know the name of the legendary person at all.The only thing I saw in Japanese video was SCLOVER at the time of the first videotape.I haven't seen much overseas, and I only saw TECH NINE and FORUM's "THAT".But "THAT" was really numb.

Did you skate the park all the time when you were in Ishiuchi?

I agree.It's almost a park.Satoshi and others told me that the foundation was a free run, so I tried to do a free run, but if the park was interesting, I almost skated on the park. It's like a park if you let it flow from the top of one or two mountains.

When did you start doing the streets?

It was the first time I did Gutsli Street at STONP.When I was about 16, I used to do the street once, but at that time I couldn't do it at all (laughs).I've been doing it a few times since then, but I started in earnest around 1 or 17.So it's surprisingly recent that I started doing streets.

Masato is 21 years old, and recently, riders of the same generation have appeared, right?Are you involved with other riders?

It's about Ryoki.I've been skating together since I was little, and even after Ryoki went to Whisler, I skated when he came back.Others were just the people above the basic Dirty Pimp.I was shown various things with the cool riders.I feel that the way of thinking is a little different from the riders of the same generation these days.I've been surrounded by adults for a long time, but when I looked around, a lot of snowboarders of the same generation came out in the last two years or so.I don't have much entanglement, but since I'm of the same generation, I would like to do it if there is something I can do together.There is a case where we can do it together at the same level.

At the 2016 High Cascade Camp, the clips taken here read the topic
At the 2016 High Cascade Camp, the clips shot here were a hot topic.

It's been a very blessed environment, right?

Since I was little, it's hard to find good riders, cameramen, and filmers around me.Thanks to that, I've been known by my name since I was little.But now I have the feeling that I have to be a little impatient.I've been snowboarding for more than half of my life, so I don't think I'll leave anything that will have an impact on the world. When I did it with STONP, I was enthusiastic about being able to appeal overseas thanks to Kazu, but when I looked back at my part myself, it was "subtle".That's true every year, but I've never been satisfied.Partly because of that, I think it's about time to get rid of it.People around me say "it's good", but I think I can do more dangerous things.Compared to overseas streets, Japan is still a long way off.Halfpipe and slopestyle are catching up with the world, but the streets aren't keeping up at all. Even if you look at overseas videos about 5 to 6 years ago, that one is more dangerous than the one who is doing streets in Japan now.It's a level that makes us think that what we are doing is playful.Atsushi Hasegawa is said to be dangerous over there, but I don't think he can carry the Japanese street scene on his back.The generation below us should raise it further.I want to do that.

You shot with the adidas Snowboarding crew in your home country last season, didn't you?How was the shooting?

I've felt a lot, but first of all, they got used to the streets and their experience points were amazing.Even if I knew that I would be kicked out soon, I would try a couple of times and leave the video.I'm doing that kind of thing at various spots, and if I move like that, I can make a crazy image like the full part of Ruif Paradis.The stoic posture was just a shock.After seeing that, when I looked back on our attitude, I thought it was pretty loose.It was very inspiring to see the movement of the world's top Luif live.Among them, it was a big thing for me to see that if I could do so far, I would be able to get closer to that stage in the world.

Shooting with adidas Snowboarding riders, a lot of inspiration Photo: Gian
Shooting with adidas Snowboarding riders, a lot of inspiration Photo: Gian

Why not try using adidas Snowboarding's TACTICAL ADV?

No, those boots are insanely good.I've never worn a model with so much technology, but it's perfect. The cushioning of BOOST foam is very good, and it absorbs shocks well with hard stomps on the street and riding in the park, so you won't get tired even if you slip all day long.I wear it in a slightly larger size, but I like it because the fitting is much better than this season's model.

What is your impression of the wear?

I'm wearing a model called GREELEY JACKET, and I really like that outfit.I really like that kind of loose-fitting clothing. LAZY MAN PANT can go home and relax with his boots off.In a good way, it doesn't feel like wearing clothes, it really feels like everyday wear and there is no stress.I really hate being tied up, so it's good to be very easy to move.It may be cold because there is no inner, but there is no problem with slope cruising, and the point is that it is not stiff.I also like the classic three lines.

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Masato has been sticking to style since he was little.Even on the street, that commitment does not bend Photo: KentaRAWmatsuda
Masato has been sticking to style since he was little.Even on the street, that commitment does not bend Photo: KentaRAWmatsuda

Are you aiming for a snowboarder who will leave a name in the world?

Well, I've been thinking about it since I was little.I would like to be named as a favorite rider of choice for general snowboarders over there.Kazu-kun is like that, so there are times when I don't do that much.It's big that I've snowboarded more than half of my life.Even though I'm only doing that, it's not good that it's halfway.I want to go as far as I can.I don't want to end here.

What are your plans for this season?

Actually, I'm thinking of changing the way I move a little from this season.I'm aiming overseas, so I'd like to shoot overseas if possible.This season will be a new challenge for me.Ideally, it would be great if I could take a lot of footage and participate in shooting overseas.It's all up to you.I used to have an environment where I could shoot, but I will create that environment myself.I'm worried, but if I can't do it here, it's going to be a mess, so this season is the game.