After taking off from Narita crossing the Pacific on a ten hour flight, we made a quick layover in Seattle and boarded a small plane headed to Bend, Oregon.
Not long after takeoff, the snow-covered Cascade Mountains came into view. Bathed in spring light, they looked both gentle and powerful. A little later, we flew over hills where the snow had begun to melt and the earth was starting to awaken. When we landed, we were met by fresh, crisp air and a sense of stillness.
Time moved differently here—slower, calmer, far from the hustle of city life. Bend is a town dressed in spring, where nature and daily life coexist in harmony. And it was from this peaceful place that our trip began.
When we arrived at Mt. Bachelor, the first thing we felt was the mountain’s “gentleness”. The mellow slopes stretched wide, and the runs followed the natural flow of the terrain. It felt like gliding over gentle waves. Even the trees were spaced just right, and time seemed to slow down in the quiet of the forest.
But the gentleness of Mt. Bachelor wasn’t just about the terrain—it was also about the people. The locals had a calm, grounded presence, as if they were in tune with the mountain itself. Their easygoing energy seemed to radiate across the whole area, making us feel at ease being there.
The Big Wave Challenge, held at Mt. Bachelor, was the perfect match for this unique setting. Built entirely with snowcats, the course was incredibly well-crafted—every section thoughtfully shaped and named after iconic surf spots from around the world. Beautiful “waves” awaited both regular and goofy riders.
As for riding these waves, there’s no one right way to approach them.
Carve smoothly with the rhythm of the terrain. Throw in tricks and bring your own style to life.
It’s all about how you engage with the terrain, how you play off it. More than technical skill, this event challenges your creativity and sense of expression—how you ride the mountain, not just how well you ride it.
We brought six unique riders for this year’s Big Wave Challenge, each with their own personality and approach. Kazushige Fujita, a seasoned participant joining for the third time, was the veteran of the group and naturally stepped into a leadership role. His smooth approach into each section and the way he composed his lines were impressive, but even during commutes and on the lifts, how he spoke shaped the atmosphere of the entire team. Whether through riding or through his words, he led with a quiet, steady presence.
Alex Yoder flowed effortlessly with the terrain, laying down clean, smooth lines with no wasted movement. His riding had a graceful calmness that didn’t rely on big lip hits or flashy tricks—each turn carried beauty and depth.
A master technician, his board control and line choice reflected not only his skills but also his character.
Rei Igarashi, as usual, had a quiet presence. But when the moment dropped in, his line spoke volumes. He has a special ability to read the terrain and leave his personal imprint on it. In the wave-like contours of Mt. Bachelor, his riding shone—subtle, yet striking.
At one point, he casually uttered:
“My riding is my art.”
And honestly, that one sentence said everything about him.
Ayumi Kitahara, the only woman on the team, had already proven herself by winning the open class in the previous Big Wave Challenge.
This time, her riding yet again combined both strength and elegance—every slash, every layback, every wall ride carved out her style. Sharp and bold like slicing through waves, yet completely natural, her performance transcended gender and simply radiated authenticity.
Hiroki Hoshi, who joined GENTEMSTICK this season, was making his Big Wave Challenge debut. It was also his first international event, and while we sensed some nerves, his determination to make a strong impression came through clearly.
Though his riding was still a little rough around the edges, his power and energy stood out. His bold approaches to the lip and impressive airtime caught everyone’s eye. Though somewhat raw, his riding clearly showed potential.
Tenma Tamai joined us in the midst of preparing for the US JUNIOR FREERIDE CHAMPIONSHIP taking place in a week’s time.
Despite being the youngest, he had already tackled challenging terrain around the world—and it showed. He approached Mt. Bachelor’s Big Wave with poise, never backing down. His runs were precise and calm, backed by solid experience well beyond his years.
In the end, Fujita was awarded “Best Carve” for his consistent technique and masterful terrain reading. Tamai took home “Most Powerful” for his bold, hard-hitting style that left a lasting impression on everyone who saw him ride.
The 13th Big Wave Challenge came to a close, but for all of us, the highlight wasn’t just the riding—it was meeting and spending time with the event’s founder, Gerry Lopez. More than anything, this event is infused with Gerry’s Aloha Spirit—respect for nature, deep connection with others, and a pure love for the ride. That gentle, positive energy gave each of us a moment to reconnect with why we ride in the first place—a reminder of the soul of snowboarding.
Text by GENTEMSTICK
Photo by Kazushige Fujita, Jun Yamagishi, Jon Tapper
