[Japanese Side] 89-Year-Old Oldest Surfer "Life Amazingly Grows Even in Later Years"

89-Year-Old Surfer Sano Seiichi Enters Guinness World Records
Started Surfing at 80, Gaining More Attention

On the 18th, Japan held an event for Respect for the Aged Day. Stories of various elderly people continuing their work in Japan's aging society were introduced. In particular, Seiichi Sano, the world's oldest surfer, received great attention. On Respect for the Aged Day, he even performed a surfing demonstration at an artificial wave pool, becoming a hot topic. Today, we share the story of Mr. Sano, who at the age of 89 was recognized in the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest surfer.

Mr. Sano Seiichi surfing. (Photo by Sano Seiichi SNS)

Mr. Sano is especially notable because he started surfing at the age of 80. He said that due to being busy with work, he only had the time to find a hobby after turning 80.

Of course, Mr. Sano still leads a busy active life. He is the president of a building materials company and continues working without retirement. While actively continuing his career, he registered at a surfing school near Enoshima in Kanagawa Prefecture and began learning to surf alongside younger people.

His confident participation in surfing with young people attracted attention, and in July last year, he was certified by the Guinness World Records as the oldest amateur surfer (at the time, 88 years and 288 days old).

Now, nearly 10 years since he started surfing, Mr. Sano says that he enjoys riding small waves near the shore without taking on big waves. He calls himself a "Sanazami (small ripple) surfer" and spreads the message that surfing is a hobby that elderly people can definitely enjoy.

Mr. Sano Seiichi holding the Guinness World Records certificate. (Photo by Sano Seiichi SNS)

At the Respect for the Aged Day event on the 18th, he visited a surfing wave pool in Shizuoka Prefecture and demonstrated surfing himself. Starting at 8:30 a.m., he rode 70cm high waves, performing jumps and body turns on the board, skillfully riding 150 meters.

On that day, he attempted a new technique of lifting one leg backward on the board, but unfortunately, it failed.

Other spectators watching praised him, saying things like, "His lower body is so stable that you wouldn't feel he is 89 years old."

Today, he celebrates his 90th birthday. His love for surfing is expected to continue. He even joked that since surfing improved his physical strength, he no longer has to give up his seat on the train these days.

He advised Asahi, "Life grows amazingly even in the second half," and encouraged, "If there is something you want to do, definitely jump into it."

His passion, showing that starting something new is never too late regardless of age, resonated with many people.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.