The Arakis and Itzel Delgado Conquer the Okinawa 2 Yoron Downwind Race

Father and son dominated the 30 km downwind KANAKA O2Y Summer Race, held on the challenging waters of Okinawa, Japan, on June 26, in scorching 35-degree heat. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the race distributed a total prize of €6000 among the winners. Each year, the level of participants has increased, with ages ranging from juniors to masters. Overseas athletes were especially inspired by this majestic ocean. The organizers expressed their deepest respect to the ocean paddlers, “KANAKA, the brave warriors who cross islands“, who train themselves daily, and to the many volunteer staff, sponsors, and all involved for their efforts in making this great event happen. Next year is expected to be even more exciting, with even more international athletes anticipated to join the O2Y race. See the result list below!

Shuri Araki, also known as ‘Shrimpy‘, is a young SUP prodigy from Okinawa, Japan. Growing up in a family deeply connected to the ocean, Shuri developed exceptional skills in downwind and open ocean racing. He recently turned 18 and has already made a significant impact on the SUP racing scene. A four-time SUP World Champion in 2022 and 2023, Shuri dominated the European SUP race events in 2024, winning the Euro Tour Grand Champion title. His consistent performances and strategic prowess in downwind racing have positioned him as one of the top paddlers globally. He trains under the guidance of his father, Takuji Araki, the organizer of the Okinawa race.

Shrimpy, congratulations on your remarkable wins in the Euro Tour this year! Could you walk us through your experiences and the key factors behind your success in the first half of 2024?

This Euro Tour was the first time I participated in four consecutive races during a long overseas trip for a month. Until now, my body and organs were still small and developing, so I did not have permission from my father, who is also my coach, to participate in consecutive races. However, this year, at the age of 17, my body and internal organs grew enough to race consecutively, allowing me to participate in four consecutive Euro Tour races. At first, I was a little worried about the one-month trip. However, it was a great experience to compete against many strong racers and legends such as Michael Booth, Titouan Puyo, and Arthur Arutkin. The reason I was able to win four consecutive Euro Tour races is that I demonstrated almost 100% of the results from the tough training camp my father and I had been doing for about three months in the winter in preparation for the Euro Tour. Additionally, this year I signed a new sponsorship contract with Flying Fish. During training camp, my dad and I studied the Freedom Pro and developed a new mode, the Freedom “Shrimpy” Pro, which is more refined than the original Freedom Pro. I started using that board from this Euro Tour, and it worked perfectly, allowing me to win every race with that one board.

You’ve been paddling since a very young age. Can you tell us about your early experiences on the water and how your family has influenced your passion for SUP?

Ever since I was a child, I have lived surrounded by nature. The ocean is less than a 20-second walk away from my house, and we drink natural mountain water from a nearby spring every day. Okinawa is also a land of longevity, and our dinner tables are always lined with home-grown vegetables, allowing us to eat healthy meals every day. During this lifestyle, I first came into contact with a SUP when I was six years old, sitting in front of my father and always surfing together. Then, while playing with a SUP, swimming, and diving, I learned the joy of nature and the ocean by open ocean downwind paddling. Little by little, I shifted towards flat water paddling competitions. My father never forced me to compete in SUP; he always took me to the deep ocean from the time I was seven years old. When I was about ten years old, people around me often said, “Open ocean is very dangerous, so stop playing like that.” But my father never changed and taught me the fun of playing downwind in the wild deep ocean. I always get a lot of support from my family. We travel everywhere together so I can always concentrate on any kind of race in top condition. Now, my younger sister comes with us on the trips, and we all work hard as one team.

In addition to competing, you help organize the Okinawa O2Y Summer Race. How do you balance your training and competitive schedule with your responsibilities as an organizer?

I am involved in this O2Y event both as a competitor and as an organizer. As a competitor, I aimed to win, of course. As soon as I returned from a long Euro Tour trip, I focused on downwind for about a month in preparation for O2Y. Also, as an organizer, I tried to support my father as much as possible and do my best to lead O2Y to success. Starting this year, top athletes from overseas have gathered at O2Y, making it an international event. I have been competing in overseas races since I was in elementary school, challenging older athletes at every turn. Now that I’m 18, I’m able to compete with adult athletes. I hope that children in Okinawa, Yoron Island, and Japan will turn their eyes more to the world. If I win the O2Y or other World Championships, it will point them in the right direction. I want more and more strong athletes from overseas to come to O2Y, and as a representative of Okinawa, I will work hard together with other Japanese ocean paddlers to be able to welcome them.

The Okinawa O2Y race celebrates a rich maritime heritage. How does participating in such events deepen your connection to your cultural roots and the ocean?

My father and I have crossed this great ocean between Okinawa and Yoron Island many times as part of our regular summer camp, but this place is not just deep water, it also has a deep history. After World War II, Okinawa was governed by the United States for 27 years, and there was a border between Okinawa and Yoron Island. The year 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japan. So this event is not just about competing to reach the finish line; it is an event with a very deep meaning, as we cross the ocean and connect the two islands, the people, and the past and present.

As I’m an Okinawan, I will never forget my gratitude for the opportunities to meet so many people through this O2Y event, and I hope that we can all make it across the ocean safely. Everything is for the future. Finally, I have one big dream to share. That is to protect and preserve forever the beautiful ocean of Okinawa, where I have played since I was a child. The people of Okinawa have taken this wonderful nature for granted and are unable to realize how important this place is. This makes me sad. In order to preserve Okinawa’s beautiful ocean forever, we need to help local people realize the greatness of the ocean through O2Y and develop a sense of gratitude for it. So I will continue to make this O2Y event a success together with my family and friends. Let’s gooo!

Itzel Delgado, a standout SUP athlete from Peru, has been making waves in the international SUP racing scene. Known for his speed and determination, Itzel has achieved significant milestones, including winning gold at the Pan American Surf Games and securing top positions in the ISA World Championships. In 2024, Itzel continued to demonstrate his prowess by achieving notable results in various international competitions. He is a key advocate for the growth of SUP in South America, focusing on making the sport more accessible to young athletes in the region despite economic challenges.

Itzel, having competed in various international events this year, what are your expectations for the Okinawa O2Y Summer Race, and how does this race compare to others in terms of difficulty and significance?

I am very happy to be able to compete in the O2Y this year. It is a test of endurance paddling between two beautiful Japanese islands. To begin the race, all athletes jump on the boats to find the best possible start point in the middle of the open ocean, in order to have a straight downwind to the island of Yoron. This race has been organized for many years in Japan, and this is the first year that international athletes are allowed to participate in the island crossing. This year I am doing events that are different from what I’ve been used to racing. I am looking for longer races and more downwind. I have been preparing for these longer events with the SEPA Training Academy that specializes in endurance training. Specifically for O2Y, I flew earlier to Okinawa to be able to train downwind with the Araki family and enjoy the Kanaka winds.

The Okinawa O2Y Summer Race featured a challenging 30 km downwind course. How did you adjust your training regimen?

Since the beginning of the year, I have been trying different equipment to find what works well for me. For this race, I decided to use my QuickBlade paddle, VDrive 91; I used Larry Allison Dolphin fin and for the board, I rode a Starboard AllStar 14×20.5. On top of this, I brought with me a CamelBak with a 3-liter bladder as well as some gels to take care of my nutrition and hydration during the long race under the intense heat. This experience paddling in Okinawa has taught me a ton. I had the possibility to train with Shuri and his father Taku in some of the best downwind conditions I have paddled. Both Shuri and Taku are super experienced paddlers and being able to train together and talk about paddling has helped me to learn more about the sport I love and improve.

You’ve been an inspiration to many young athletes in South America. How do you plan to use your experience from the Okinawa O2Y Summer Race to motivate and guide the next generation of SUP paddlers in your home country?

I want the next generations of Peruvian paddlers to be successful and competitive. I am showing the possibilities of the sport and what I am capable of doing and hope that kids get inspired about it and want to follow. I want to thank my family for being my biggest supporters and motivation.

I also want to thank the Araki family and everyone involved in the organization of O2Y, which is a spectacular event. I want to congratulate all the paddlers that crossed the channel in the amazing conditions that we had. And I look forward to paddling in the waters of Okinawa and Yoron again soon!

Results of KANAKA Okinawa O2Y Summer Race

Rank   Name Age     Time   Special Prize

1          Shuri Araki   18        2:51:51           Men’s 1st place

2          Takuji Araki 50        3:07:36           Men’s 2nd place

3          Itzel Delgado           25        3:10:23           Men’s 3rd place

4          Daniel Hasulyo         33        3:14:06           Men’s 4th place

5          Ryotaro Kikuchi        23        3:20:42           Men’s 5th place

6          Daisuke Ueda           34        3:25:39           Men’s 6th place

7          Tommaso Pampinella         30        3:33:26

8          Shota Kurima            38        3:45:40

9          Takuya Kawahara    35        3:45:58

10        Ivan Frutos    18        3:52:28

11        Rinka Mizutani        14        3:55:58           Women’s 1st place

12        Koji Nagayoshi       52        4:04:08           Over 50 1st place

13        Takayuki Otsuka    52        4:13:18           Over 50 2nd place

14        Ryusuke Ikeda          39        4:14:52

15        Yosuke Hatakeyama         54        4:21:38           Over 50 3rd place

16        Masumi Omura         39        4:21:55

17        Satoru Higa   48        4:30:58

18        Chiara Vorster        17        4:32:43           Women’s 2nd place

For more information:

TotalSUP event

Event page

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Shuri Araki

Itzel Delgado

Photos by the courtesy of: Takuji Araki