Mari Mizukami and Eiko Matsui's two-woman trip Gunma / Numata area VOL.1 ~ Kawaba edition ~

In 2020, the adult "Women's Futari Journey" will be set in the Numata area of ​​Gunma prefecture, and will deliver Kawaba, Marunuma, Oze Iwakura and each snow resort in three serials.This yearTwo professional snowboarders, Mari Mizukami and Eiko Matsui.Yukie Ueda, who lives in LA and has a regular appearance, cannot return to Japan due to the current social situation, so Eiko Matsui, a rider who lives in Gunma, participates in the race as a pinch hitter in a hurry.
Even though it is said that there is not enough snow, they say that they can enjoy more depending on themselves.The journey between two adult women has begun.
Text: Mari Mizukami
Photo: Takahiro Nakanishi
Special Thanks: GNU snowboards, RIDE snowboards, Kawaba

<A brief introduction to the two traveling>

? Mari Mizukami (MARI MIZUKAMI)
20 years of professional rider experience.Yoga teacher DIY girls
Eiko Matsui (EIKO MATSUI)
Representative of a female rider who rides sideways in Gunma prefecture.Nurses who are active in hosting events


Two women traveling, reunion at Kawaba ski resort

Just before the start of this shoot, "I'm sorry, Mari! I can't go to Japan anymore."
It was three days before the shooting that I was informed that (Ueda) Yukie couldn't return to Japan in a hurry.
After all, the reason is that event that is confusing all over the world now.I would have made the same choice in her position.
"The alternative rider is ... I like the girls riders in the Gunma area."
The two agreed, and Eiko Matsui, who lives in Gunma, was named.I've never skated with E-chan.I heard from rumors that I like to ride sideways, and I thought I could enjoy a wide range of trips with her who lives in Gunma.

I immediately contacted E-chan and asked her.
"Gunma, a two-woman trip, Yukie-chan can't come to Japan ... I'm looking for a rider who can shoot with me instead, but what about E-chan?"
Then, "I definitely want to participate! I'll do something about my work holidays !!", I was able to make a prompt decision with a generous response from the athletic club.

Kawaba Ski Resort was chosen as the first field for the Gunma trip.

Kawaba Ski Resort is close to Tokyo and has all the facilities and gourmet food.

In early March, on the morning of the shooting day, I arrived at Kawaba and immediately joined E-chan.Photographer Nakanishi also came to shoot.
It is no exaggeration to say that he is an exclusive photographer who continues to shoot the third series of "Travel for Two Women".I'm a trusted cameraman.
Kawaba on this day was blessed with fine weather, and the snow conditions seemed to be good.There is certainly less snow this season due to the effects of global warming, but Kawaba Ski Resort says that there are more customers coming to Kawaba than usual.I'm glad that there are many people who can sympathize with enjoying the snowy mountains.

"Let's go to the top first and then slide," said the two of us on the lift.

As soon as I got on the lift, E-chan started talking.
"I'm sure I met ... XNUMX years ago when I participated in a girls event hosted by Mari. The winner of the tournament had a dream of getting a ticket to France. If I win, the next field. I think I can go to France. "

It sounds gorgeous to hear this, but when I was hosting this event, I had a major surgery on my knee cartilage and it was a ridiculous and difficult time to walk for several years.

Around this time, I was invited to the Les 2alps ski resort in southern France every summer.Even if you want to slip in France, it is difficult to walk, and slipping is a dream again.It was a tournament sponsored with the desire to discover girls riders and have them go instead if they couldn't go.

Eh-chan's story reminds me of those days, and now I've overcome the injuries of that time and "slipped" as a professional rider.It reminded me that I have been able to have a fulfilling snowboarding life that I couldn't even consider since those days when it was difficult.The conversation with her reminded me of my original intentions.

Kawaba ski resort course seen from the top of the lift.Double the fun by descending from the top to the bottom at once

During the conversation, it became that story that Yukie couldn't return to Japan this time.The situation is getting worse every moment due to the spread of infection, and it is also a trip in the midst of threatening daily life.
If everyone continues to live with this feeling every day, their hearts will be darkened.I think the spirit of enjoying what you like is important for everyone today.Especially if you live on a planet where hardships are happening.I think everyone has the same opinion, but it is most important to cooperate with each other across national borders.

"I'm doing fun snowboarding right now, so I just want to send something to the earth to enjoy with a smile."
Be modest, be conscious of what you are careful about, and enjoy yourself!We hit it off and decided to enjoy the trip of the two women.

Nakanishi photographer who naturally calms Eiko's feelings that are a little nervous when shooting this trip. Photo: Mari Mizukami

I changed my mind and enjoyed the free run together while looking for a playable terrain.
Discover the wall you can apply!I was able to get speed with just the right amount of hardness.

Find the bank where the light shines and lay back. Rider: Mari Mizukami

The snow in the morning is tight and perfect for layback.E-chan was also discussing the points she wanted to jump over with cameraman Nakanishi-kun.

Eiko jumps over the bamboo grass that has come out due to the influence of the warm winter as an item. Rider: Eiko Matsui

On the way down from the top to the middle, there were many wall terrains that could be applied.After that, there is a bank course, and below that, it continues to the park.

Freeride session between Mali and Eiko

It is a slope where you can practice various things and enjoy yourself just by running one top to bottom of the slope.The park is also substantial and there are so many items that you can choose according to your level.

It is a park with a wide range of items that anyone can challenge

"Speaking of parks in Kawaba, isn't that rider?"
E-chan seems to have been thinking about the same thing.

Retsuo Takahashi.

I've heard rumors that I'm coaching a school centered around Gratley and Park in Kawaba.We decided to visit Leo's school immediately.

Leo was there!

In front of Leo Takahashi's JSTAAA official Park & ​​Gratley Snowboard School

He, who is a director of the Japan Snowboard Trick Certification Association JIB, will participate in the shooting as a guest rider.

"Then, if it's the position of the camera, I'll turn the front side," he talks with cameraman Nakanishi and chooses the technique according to the angle.

And make FS360 lightly from the first shot.

Leo was free to slide in the park without any bias.

"Then, is it okay to use rails next?"

Crispy.A man who can work is quick.I first met Leo when the pipes were rising at Makinoiri Ski Resort.

It was about 2000 years ago around 20 ...
I think the flow of time to make it is fast.

Fascinates the perfect reading that makes you think that there is only a good image in Leo's head

I have a professional rider and school coach, so I asked him about the tips for grabs that I personally want to challenge.Then, he kept the main points to about three and taught me in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
Snowboarding is sensuous, but I think it is important for a leader to have the ability to explain the principle of movement to the other person in an easy-to-understand manner.

One of the attractions of this park lesson is that you can slide behind a professional rider.

In general, people tend to think that the person being taught does not have the understanding when it is not transmitted even if they are taught, but the teaching side depends on how well they have the linguistic ability and explanatory ability to select and convey easy-to-understand words to everyone. It is also an issue.However, this is quite difficult.If you think that the technique you want to learn is "simple", the makeup rate will increase.There is no doubt that learning at such a school is a shortcut to improving both skiing and teaching.It is epoch-making that there is a facility in Kawaba ski area where professional riders can teach Gratri.

JSTAAA official recognition Retsuo Takahashi
Kawaba Ski Resort School

Inspired by Leo-kun, who decides his technique with crispness, E-chan also started attacking the park.

Eiko Matsui's tail press that is not good at jib but attacks with style

Kawaba's jump has a blue line at the exit, so it's easy to get the timing and feel at ease.It's a well-reputed park, so you can improve quickly.

Eiko Matsui's tail grab.The landing was smooth with a relaxed style.

Spring snowboards make a noticeable difference in the sliding surface of the board.Wax at this time is essential.Due to the mild winter this season, the snow melts and the boards often do not run in the afternoon.I decided to go to Marasaki Sports to find a wax that suits the snow conditions so that I could run the board faster and enjoy it.I am grateful that there is a fashionable shop in the ski resort.

Kawaba's Marasaki Sports with a good taste and a wide selection of products

When I went to Marasaki Sports ...
The clerk was Masahisa Hayashi, also known as Magun.There is no doubt that the wax he recommends.There seems to be a menu that waxes at the shop.

Magun who will tell you the wax to slip in consideration of the snow condition of the river

Magun seems to be in the store until the end of this season.One of the attractions of Kawaba Ski Resort is that you have a chance to see his skiing live in Kawaba.

There is no doubt that the wax chosen by the rider made the board slippery, so I decided to resume the Gratley session.
There are many courses in Kawaba, but I chose a relatively gentle course for practicing Gratley.

Enjoy Gratley together while advancing little by little.

Gnu snowboards KLASSY model 148 is also recommended for gratis other than powder. Rider: Mari Mizukami

Switch tail press.
Keeping the board flat is the key trick.
"In order to expand your way of sliding, it is important to change the angle and stance from time to time and slide with a stance different from the previous stance."
Since each has a different skeleton, it was said that finding a stance that suits your body is a shortcut to improving your snowboarding.

Switch tail press. Rider: Mari Mizukami

In one day, I was able to enjoy various genres such as free run, park, and gratri at Kawaba Ski Resort.I missed lunch because I slipped too much, but one of the nice services is that there is a cafe that also supports late lunch.

A delicious PIER 39 sandwich.The price is reasonable and the volume is perfect.

"Everything is delicious, here." As E-chan says, all are delicious.Takeaway XNUMX yen All the things that girls are interested in, such as crepes and tasting of plum wine.

Lunch at Kawaba Ski Resort, which also focuses on gourmet food, is one of the pleasures

We love delicious food, and we couldn't stop talking about gourmet food near the ski resorts.This trip with two women and the Gunma trip will be fun too.

Continue.

Two Women Trip Gunma / Numata Area VOL.1 ~ Kawaba Edition ~ MOVIE

Next time is "White World Oze Iwakura", where you can do long-distance snowboarding and snow skating.stay tuned!

★ PROFILE
Mari Mizukami
Born July 1976, 7, 17 years of professional career. In 20, he was promoted to a professional with a half pipe.He has traveled to 2000 countries by appearing in domestic and foreign movies and shooting overseas.He has experience in hosting a French tournament, skiing in groups of three, and a snowboarding tournament in Japan.As for how to spend time off, he is active in a wide range of activities such as challenging "DIY for the whole house", yoga instructor and special supporter of blind soccer.
SPONSOR: GNU snowboards, Norrona, SPY, Northwave, Drake, HestraGloves, SBNfreerun, Plasma Dissociation Water, HiKOKI (Hitachi Koki)
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Eiko Matsui
Born May 1983, 24, lives in Gunma prefecture and is from Osaka.Although he became a civil servant, he was addicted to snowboarding and retired.He has participated in slopestyle and big air competitions and has a background in riding and summer camp digger in North America.He moved to Gunma to live a snowboard-centered lifestyle and published it in a local newspaper.While participating in freeride competitions, he conveys the joy of sideways riding.Snowboarding and snow skating in the winter I'm the organizer of skateboarding and skimboarding events in the flatlands in the summer.
SPONSOR: RIDEsnowboards, AIRBRASTER, HERTELWAX, 39factory, Sara Yuzawa, Gunma SAR Hideto, AG SKIMBOARD
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