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A Snowboard Event in Sapporo's Odori Park This September! All About 'SNOW SMASH Supported by SNOWBANK'
A snowboarding event right in the middle of Sapporo! And in September, no less! "SNOW SMASH Supported by SNOWBANK," where you can witness some intense riding, will be held on Saturday, September 16th, and Sunday, September 17th, 2023. We'll introduce you to the appeal of this exciting event and the passion behind its theme, "Social Contribution That Starts with Fun."
What is "SNOW SMASH"?
Snowboarding, a winter sport that influences music and fashion and can be enjoyed by everyone from children to adults. "SNOW SMASH" is an event where you can experience the charm and power of snowboarding. The venue is located right under the Sapporo TV Tower, on the former site of the NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station.
Preparations by SNOWBANK for their Tokyo Snow Festival. The course is completed after making artificial snow.
The snowboarding contest, "SNOW SMASH Session," will feature a gathering of Japan's top riders! Riders like Kaito Hamada, who competed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, as well as Rikuto Watanabe, Ryoki Ogawa, and Kansuke Otomo, will battle it out with their breathtaking riding techniques.
"Social Contribution That Starts with Fun": Learning About Blood Donation and the Bone Marrow Bank Through Snowboarding
The event will also feature live music performances by artists such as Riku Nakanishi, Shion, Fuga (from Rofu) & KATSUAKI, DaCow & JACE FLEX, RAFUU, and Shi-bo (Bremen).
Shion
Additionally, there will be activities like sledding and food trucks, making it a fun event for the whole family.
The riders are met with passionate cheers as they go down the course.
This event is held under the theme "Social Contribution That Starts with Fun," aiming to create opportunities for people to learn about blood donation and the bone marrow bank through snowboarding and to take action. Not only will you be able to donate blood at the venue on the day, but there will also be booths where you can learn about bone marrow donor registration.
We spoke with Gohei Sato, the producer of SNOWSMASH, who is managing the event.
Gohei Sato
SNOWSMASH Producer (Otona Inc. / Master of Otonaza)
After graduating from the evening program at Sapporo Minami High School, he went on to university. He became a registered dietitian and worked at a hospital and for the Hokkaido government. He was invited to join Otona Inc. by the sister of its CEO, Mr. Igarashi (who is now the CEO of LANDRESS Inc.). He is currently the business manager for the co-working cafe bar Otonaza/bub babys. He is also involved in a wide range of other activities, including being a part-time university lecturer and running a futsal school.
Thanks to the success of Japanese athletes at the Olympics, snowboarding has become widely known as a winter sport. However, I feel that domestic competitions are still developing in terms of spectator numbers and media coverage compared to overseas.
Nevertheless, snowboarding is gaining attention as a sport with a strong affinity for music and fashion, and a street-like vibe despite being a mountain sport. By holding this event in the heart of Sapporo in the fall, we hope that even people who don't usually encounter snowboarding can experience it. We want to showcase its appeal as a competitive sport and provide a venue for people to engage with snowboarding as a lifelong activity. Our wish is for Sapporo, and Hokkaido, to become a region where everyone, from children to the elderly, enjoys snowboarding.
The event is a collaboration with "SNOWBANK," which organizes snowboarding events under the theme "Social Contribution That Starts with Fun." We aim to provide an opportunity for young people, who might not usually visit a blood donation center, to learn about and take action on blood donation and the bone marrow bank.
We hope that while enjoying the event, we can create new snowboarding fans and contribute to society.
What is "NoMaps"?
This event is held as part of "NoMaps," a multi-disciplinary festival that has been held in Sapporo every year since 2016. "NoMaps 2023" will take place over five days from Wednesday, September 13th to Sunday, September 17th. Various venues in central Sapporo will host talk sessions, live performances, events, and more.
Let's all get fired up at the exciting snowboard battle!
SNOW SMASH Supported by SNOWBANK
■Dates: September 16 (Sat) & 17 (Sun), 2023, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
■Venue: Former site of NHK Sapporo Broadcasting Station, Kita 1-jo Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
■Admission: Free
NoMaps 2023
■Dates: September 13 (Wed) - 17 (Sun), 2023
■Venue: Various locations in Sapporo city
