O2Y – Okinawa to Yoron 2024

Welcome to O2Y 2024 – Okinawa to Yoron Ocean Downwind!

Here’s a word from KANAKA Okinawa O2Y committee/ race director Takuji Araki

What’s O2Y ?

O2Y is a special race for all Okinawan people that revives the history of the Ryukyu waterman crossing the islands during with seasonal summer breeze. In 2021, on the 50th anniversary of the return of Okinawa to Japan, we hoped to cross the 27th parallel, where the national border used to be, to connect Okinawa and the world with beautiful seas, we have realized a race that crosses the strait with SUP paddling for about 30 km between Okinawa and Yoron Island. It was an epic challenge. We, KANAKA Okinawa, have been hosting and operating SUP races on the main island of Okinawa for 10 years. In the meantime, we have worked to spread SUP and educate children in the beautiful Okinawa ocean. And last November 2022, Shuri Araki (currently 16 years old, native Okinawan) reached the glory of the youngest ever SUP world champion in the history book.  At the same time, overseas paddlers began to voice their desire to visit Ocean, where world champions grew up.

Starting this year, we will be holding fan events in Yanbaru, where we live, where athletes from outside the island and local children can have fun and interact, and we will gradually begin accepting paddlers from overseas. We will deliver the beautiful ocean and forests full of nature to the world, and send a message to protect this wonderful environment while enjoying it.
Lastly, SUP racing has become so popular around the world that it is said to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Okinawa, an island prefecture surrounded by the sea, is blessed with no sport like this. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by repeated changes due to typhoons and other circumstances. Without the hard working local volunteers, the fisherman’s family and sponsors, this race would not have been possible. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude.

Race day Schedule (2024 June 28, 29 or 30)

3 days of waiting. The schedule and course can be changed according to weather and ocean conditions.
Race decision will be made at 19:00 the day before.

5:00 – board loading on the boats
6:00 – prayer for safety
7:30 – boats departure
9:00 – race start
14:00 – cut off time
15:00 – awards ceremony
18:00 – after party

O2Y preliminary simulation training / June 24, 2024

It is a practical training for athletes participating in O2Y, chartering a fishing boat in the sea area between Okinawa and Yoron and paddling downwind about half the distance of the course. How to navigate to Yoron Island? This is a great opportunity to test all the water quality, temperature, hydration, etc. in preparation for the strait crossing. Paddlers who are challenging channel crossing for the first time are required to participate.

Entry Fee *non refundable

70,000 Japanese yen *channel crossing include support boats
30,000 Japanese yen  *simulation training

Participant Limit  30 total 

the capacity is set for safety management reasons.

Prize money
prize money will be awarded to the elite only. prize will be allocated to all divisions according to the participant volume. In other words, a division with more participants has higher prize.

Application

This event is held under special safety regulations. Paddlers will be selected after the trial race on January 21st.

Every year in June, the main island of Okinawa after the rainy season is very hot and humid, and if you are exposed to direct sunlight, your physical strength will be exhausted considerably.

Only those who understand weather and open ocean risks and can prove ocean paddling experience will be exempted from the trial. Please contact us directly. (Reference: for those who have experience of Molokai-Oahu channel crossing.)

Equipment

From a safety perspective, all participants are required to use equipment which they are used to in open ocean downwind races. A list of all equipment is required with an application. Inflatables is prohibited for safety reasons.

Live Broadcasting, Media Interview

We have official cameramen, and copyright of all pictures belongs to the O2Y organizer.

About training up to the day

Lastly, for your safety, we want all selected participants to stay safe at the race as well as during your daily training in Okinawa island. Especially, paddlers coming to island from outside should understand the risks of dangers in the open ocean and vessel traffic, and should not go out without the advice of KANAKA Okinawa members who have sufficient experience in the local area. If you need asistance, please contact us directly.