Message from the Race Director

 

Dear Paddlers,

Hello, this is Kenny Kaneko, Race Director of Va’a Japan.

We are pleased to announce that the “4th JAPAN CUP in Minami Izu” will be held on April 18 (Sat) – 19 (Sun), 2026.

This event marks a milestone as we enter our fourth season as Va’a Japan.

Over the past three seasons, we have grown this race together with paddlers from across Japan. Each year, the number of participants has increased, and the event has developed into a race that now welcomes not only paddlers from all over Japan, but also many from overseas.

In response to this growing international participation, we have decided to rename the final race in Minami Izu—previously held as the “All Japan Championship”—to the “Japan Cup,” with the aim of creating a more internationally recognized event.

The Japan Cup is not only a place for Japanese paddlers to compete against each other, but also a platform where paddlers from around the world can meet on the same ocean and inspire one another. We are committed to growing this event into a race with a strong presence in the global OC1 racing scene.

We sincerely look forward to seeing you in the waters of Minami Izu this April.

We look forward to your entries.

 

 

Va’a Japan Race Director
Kenny Kaneko