Believing in yourself
Yurana is a 17-year-old longboarder born and raised in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Having grown up some distance from the ocean, she only discovered surfing six years ago. It's hard to believe that was just recently. Now, she's a talented young surfer who has been invited to major contests that are the dream of female surfers all over the world.
She heads to the coast on the train, excitedly holding her longboard, and heads out to sea. Her charm lies in her mature aura and the strong conviction that naturally radiates, making it hard to believe she is a high school student in her uniform. What is reflected in the depths of her eyes is the very freedom she feels in the ocean.
As I listened to her feelings and the conflicts she faced, I was naturally drawn into her world.
"I didn't even know surfing existed."
Yurana continues to compete in numerous contests, skillfully maneuvering her board on the waves. Her passion is as expansive as the ocean, and her love for surfing is palpable. Her growth in just six short years is astounding for those who know how difficult surfing can be. You'll find yourself becoming more and more captivated by her.
"When I was 11, my family circumstances changed drastically, and we decided to try something new as a family. My older sister suggested surfing, which she had found on social media, and we all decided to join a surf school.
At first I thought, "What kind of sport is this? Isn't the ocean just a place to play on the shore?" I had no idea that there were people who surfed. Lol."
She had barely even set foot in the ocean, but the challenge she decided to take on with her family opened the door to a new world.
"I was the only one in my family who was crazy about surfing, so I would research various surfers on social media, and on weekends when I didn't have school, my mom would take me to the beach and I would practice nonstop.
When I was 13, I got a single fin board, something I had always wanted to ride, and when I was 14, I entered my first competition.
She says that competition was the moment that sparked her passion for surfing.
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"My first competition ended without me being able to show any of my surfing. I was anxious about the limited time and number of waves, and I was overwhelmed by the spirit of the others, so I was more concerned about the other competitors than the waves. It was a competition that made me painfully aware that I wasn't mentally prepared."
Looking back on the experience, she said that although she felt a sense of regret, at the same time she was determined to "definitely win next time."
"Looking back, that experience may have been the catalyst that made surfing become more than just a hobby, but something I took seriously."
That's what Yurana told me.
The things you love are given new color through various experiences and encounters with people. It is only when you accept all of the positive and sometimes negative emotions that you truly realize that "love" takes shape. Surprisingly, the reason we devote ourselves to something may often begin with "regret." It is that regret that becomes the driving force behind taking the next step.
"The Queen Classic Surf Festival illuminated Yurana's path"
The Queen Classic Surf Festival (QCSF), held every year in Biarritz, France, is a dream stage for female surfers who love longboarding. What's particularly noteworthy about this event is that it's an invitation-only event. It's a truly special contest that only select surfers can participate in. In 2024, Yurana finally received an invitation.
Unlike typical competitions, the QCSF welcomes all participants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or surfing level, and aims to celebrate the differences in individual identities. In particular, the competition has attracted attention within the industry as a competition that sends a strong message about improving the status of women's surfing.
Last year's competition was unique in that participants were divided into groups of four and competed against each other. Here, it's not just about winning or losing, but the bonds of mutual respect and cooperation that are most important. This is what makes QCSF appealing and different from other competitions. Spectators come from a wide range of backgrounds, not just surfers, and enjoy the event, sharing moments of resonation and inspiration through surfing on this stage. 
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Yurana had this to say about QCSF:
"When I first heard about this competition, I was really impressed by the concept and thought, 'Wow, such a wonderful competition exists!' I made it my goal to participate, and then one day I received an invitation via Instagram message. I couldn't believe it, but it was true, and I jumped for joy."
The joy of that moment is clearly evident in her expression.
"I immediately told my mother that I wanted to compete, and we discussed the cost of going to France and other things. She said, 'If you pass your school exams, I'll let you go,' so I studied hard to make that happen."
After passing the test with flying colors, she took on the challenge of the QCSF with her mother. At the venue, music played throughout, there were skating sessions, breast cancer awareness activities, and booths selling nails and peace jewelry, and she says the atmosphere felt more like a festival than a competition. Surrounded by such unique surfers, she said it was a valuable time that allowed her to reaffirm who she is and what she wants to express. 
"Judgment" 
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"Until I discovered surfing, I had never had the opportunity to be judged by others, but as I continued surfing, I had more opportunities for people to watch my surfing and more opportunities to be criticized. I had finally found something I loved, but not being able to enjoy it freely made me feel increasingly suffocated."
She says there was a time when she was swayed by other people's "righteousness."
He began to doubt himself, wondering, "Are the things I've believed in wrong?"
He confessed that when he first started surfing, he felt the same sense of difficulty in life.
"Because I'm from Kawasaki, there weren't many people around me who surfed, so I felt like I was the only one standing out as my skin got tanned and my hair got browner from the seawater. I felt lonely because of the difference in appearance from everyone else. After that, I became scared of what other people thought of me, so I started hiding myself and tried to imitate everyone else."
"I have to be the same as everyone else." It broke my heart to hear that she was in an environment where she felt that way. For Yurana, who was a junior high school student at the time, it must have been a painful experience. 
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"But the weekends when I went to the ocean to surf were the only times I could forget about all that and just be myself. Being surfing was my salvation.
That's why being invited to QCSF was such a big event for me. Seeing the foreign surfers I met at the venue expressing themselves freely in their own style and simply loving surfing made me think, 'I'm not wrong. I can believe in my surfing.'"
She honestly told me about the pain of her past.
She told us that her experience at the Queen Classic Surf Festival was the catalyst that freed her from those hurts and discomfort.
In modern society, prejudice and discrimination based on differences in identity are raised as problems in various situations. Judgment, prejudice, discrimination, and inequality from others are often actually created by ourselves. While our environment and customs may have an influence, it is never our fault, strangeness, or wrongness.
Your body and mind are important partners that are always by your side, and one day you will surely feel a deep attachment to them.
This interview made me reconsider the fact that differences in identity do not necessarily create conflict, but rather give each person new and rich possibilities.
Afterwards, she continued to talk enthusiastically about the appeal of surfing. 
"Be yourself without any pretense" 
"Nature is beautiful precisely because it is untouched and unadulterated. So when I surf in a place like that, I feel like I can be myself. It makes me feel like I'm fine just being me, without any pretense."
It was clear that she had already found a place where she could shine.
"When I'm surfing, I look at everyone in the water. From their head to their toes, the position of their hands, their gaze, their expressions... I look at everything and think, 'That's so cool.' Everyone has their own unique charm, and I try to absorb that."
Her perspective on surfing was very interesting, and I was impressed when she said that being able to be yourself leads to the best riding.
As a surfer, she is sure to shine even more in the future, so we asked her about her future goals.
"I want to create a place where you can shine just as you are."
She answered frankly, saying that she hasn't yet decided what form it will take, but that she wants to create a homely place for someone through her beloved surfing.
As someone who was deeply moved by QCSF, she feels this strongly. She believes that our pain and experiences can be a powerful force that gives hope and sheds light on others.
When do you feel you shine? Where do you feel you shine?
"I love my mommy!" says 17-year-old Yurana with an innocent smile. Next year she will be taking entrance exams. She is striving to balance her studies with surfing while aiming to go to university.
As she studies and surfs, giving it her all, we can't take our eyes off her and wonder what kind of future she will have.
I look forward to the day when her dream becomes a reality. 
Yurana Mase
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Article and photos by Hinako Kanda
