sports

Tsugaru Channel swim: the EPIC video

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It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post. I shall just say that 2018 has been an EPIC year for me. And hopefully I’ll get around to writing about some various highlight at some point before the year end.

But for the past 8 months of the year, I was swimming. A lot. I achieved a bucketlist item of swimming Tsugaru Channel (that body of water between Honshu and Hokkaido) and one of the Oceans Seven swims. I swam it as part of an international 3-person relay with two friends (also expats in Tokyo). And for the record, I’ve been trying to do this swim for the past 2-3 years and was never chosen for a slot. But at the end of 2017, I was finally notified of a last-minute slot for 2018 (I think due to someone else cancelling).

It was quite the journey in terms of training and build-up and the actual swim itself. Will eventually write an epic swim report, but for now, I will leave you with the EPIC video documenting our channel swim which we did on 19-20 July 2018. The film was shot and edited by my amazingly talented friend (and crew support on the swim) Matt.

For your viewing pleasure: (and yes, we really did this!)

A sporting long weekend: Tokyo Sevens

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Last weekend was a long weekend. And what a sporting one it was. Friday was brunch, followed by a baseball game at Tokyo Dome, and then on Sunday it was all day at the Tokyo Sevens. The Sevens series is awesome and the Tokyo Sevens was a really fun day. Went and saw the finals round on the Sunday. An early start for a Sunday. 9am. But it was a glorious day and dare I say, it was even singlet weather. Unreserved tickets are the way to go, that way you can move around. It’s a rather small stadium, so no matter where you sit, you’re bound to get a good view.

From Tokyo Sevens

When I go to the rugby, I like to dress up. (Just kidding, that ain’t me):

From Tokyo Sevens

Sporting events are awesome in Japan. You can pack whatever food and drink you like, alcohol included. No bag checks at all. Given we were going to be there from 9am to 5pm, we packed a whole gourmet picnic. I like to watch the Rugby in
style. We even bought in a bottle of champagne. We had cheese, deli meats, fruit, sandwiches, chips etc. And when you don’t have a knife to cut the cheese, a plastic store card found in the ol’ purse will do the trick. Beers can also be brought in or purchased at the venue as well.

From Tokyo Sevens

Let the Games begin:

From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens

We got these free blow-up batons which you clap together:

From Tokyo Sevens

Even got a free flag (supporting) face tattoo. Go Australia!

From Tokyo Sevens

The great Tasman rivalry: Australia vs New Zealand:

From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens

Sadly, we lost again NZ, but we won our other two games, and came 5th or 6th overall.

I did manage to get a photo with a Kiwi player, Kaka:

From Tokyo Sevens
From Tokyo Sevens

And the Fiji team took out the Sevens. We somehow ended up sitting amongst the Fijian supporters. They’re quite vocal. I was surprised by how well represented they were in terms of numbers.

From Tokyo Sevens

If only every weekend were a 3-day weekend.

Put the Tokyo Sevens on your to-do list in Tokyo. It’s an annual event (usually in March). Pack food, booze, friends and it’s a super fun day out.