FISH FINDER in CHINA ＆ HONG KONG

In early December, Kazushige Fujita and Rei Igarashi arrived in Shenzhen, the massive metropolis often called the Silicon Valley of China. Rising from the center of this rapidly evolving city is an imposing structure that defies the imagination for an indoor facility: "Shenzhen Qianhai Huafa Snow World." Guinness-certified as the world’s longest indoor ski resort, it stands like a "mountain of snow" suddenly manifested in a futuristic city.

The purpose of this journey was to hold a riding session with the staff of Island Wake, a Hong Kong-based GENTEMSTICK dealer, at this massive facility that opened just this past September. Since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, snow sports have become a major phenomenon in China, with an energy that far surpasses the indoor ski boom Japan once experienced. The 440-meter-long slope embodied this momentum, wrapped in an atmosphere that felt somewhat surreal.

For Fujita and Igarashi, this was also their first "resort" riding of the season since their first turns in Tateyama in November. On the flat, sugar-like artificial snow, they chose the Spoon Fish 141 and Mid Fish, both known for their iconic fishtails. Their outlines—designed to reveal their true essence on groomed burns—cut through the slope with beautiful turns, surely leaving a lasting impression on the Island Wake staff.

Between sessions, the staff eagerly asked questions about riding techniques and setups. Responding to their earnest gazes, the two riders communicated through their riding more than words. In that moment, there was a pure passion for snowboarding that resonated beyond national borders.

As the session ended and they stepped out of their bindings, Fujita murmured, "I wonder what kind of world it is, being able to ride in a place like this all year round."

It is said that there are now over 60 indoor ski resorts in China. An environment where you can stand on snow throughout the year is undoubtedly attractive. Yet, for us in Japan, snowboarding is an outdoor sport deeply rooted in nature and the fleeting seasons. His words held a profound weight, reminding us of the preciousness of an environment where we cherish each "once-in-a-lifetime" encounter with the mountains.

The smiles of the Hong Kong Island Wake staff, with whom they shared this brief but intense time, gave the riders a clear sense of fulfillment. To be honest, there was some anxiety about visiting China amidst unstable international relations. However, by actually visiting the land, riding on the same snow, and talking face-to-face, something meaningful became clear.

To look at things from a unique angle, to overcome any situation, and to carve the best possible line in the moment—whether it be strong, beautiful, or even gritty. The GENTEMSTICK philosophy—of riding while accepting nature, the environment, and even the circumstances—was undeniably alive in this place.