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| Location: | Japan |
|---|---|
| Series: | O2Y |
| Type: | Downwind, SUP Race |
| Date: | 4 - 5 Jul 2026 |
| Organiser: | Kanaka Okinawa O2Y Executive Committee |
| Website: | https://www.kanakaokinawa.org/o2y/ |
| Social Media: |
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| Prize Money: | 2,000,000 Japanese Yen |
This prestigious SUP race with a 14-year history combines deep ocean downwind racing with a short-distance technical race that is friendly to SUP families, set against the backdrop of some of the world’s most precious natural heritage sites.
Travelling among the islands of Okinawa by SUP connects people, places, and history – linking the past with the future, and inspiring hope and dreams. It also supports youth development and helps protect the natural environment through the growth of the sport.
O2Y is a SUP race that brings to life the modern-day story of Ryukuy watermans crossing islands during the summer southerly wind (Ka-chi-bai).
KANAKA Okinawa have been hosting and running SUP races on Okinawa’s main island for the last 13 years, while also working to develop young people in the beautiful ocean.
The “O” in O2Y stands for Okinawa, and the “Y” stands for the Yanbaru region of Okinawa and neighbouring Yoron Island.
In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we organized approximately 30km downwind race between Okinawa and Yoron Island. This spectacular event marked the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japan from US, crossing the 27th parallel north, where the border once stood, with the hope of “connecting Okinawa with the world through its beautiful oceans.”
Then in 2022, Shuri Araki (then 16 years old), who was born and raised on this island, became the youngest ever ISA (International Surfing Association) SUP World Champion. Then in 2024, at the age of 18, he became the youngest ever (and the first Japanese) to win the ICF/International Canoe Federation World Championships, becoming a unified SUP world champion. This led to an increase in voices from overseas athletes wanting to visit Ocean, where Shuri grew up.
With this in mind, KANAKA Okinawa gradually welcomed overseas athletes to Yanbaru, the northern part of Okinawa where it is based. Fan events began to be held alongside downwind races, creating opportunities for everyone to have fun and interact.
Date: 30 June – 2 July
Location: O2Y Event venue are, Kunigami-villege
Instructor: Shuri Araki (current SUP World Champion), Takuji Araki (trainer)
6/30(Tue.)
*Please note: The training camp is for paddlers participating in the O2Y
Date: Saturday, 4 July
Location: Around Cape Hedo, Kunigami Village, Okinawa Prefecture
Categories: SUP Open(15-20km) 60,000yen｜ SUP Trial (approx.6km) 20,000yen｜SUP foil (approx.6km) 30,000yen
Date: Sunday, 5 July
Location: Kuina Eco-Sport Park, Kunigami Village
Categories: SUP Open/40+/50+ (1000m) 3,000yen｜SUP U9/U12/U15 (500m) 2,000yen｜SUP Foil (100m) 2,000yen｜SUP polo 6,000yen｜Dragon SUP 8,000yen
