My Kind of Town part 3

 
BMX flying
BMX flying

One aspect of Nishinomiyahama 西宮浜, where I have lived for almost a year and a half, that I have not mentioned before in this series is the variety of sports and leisure activities that go on there almost throughout the year. There is always so much going on both on land and in the waters that surround this man-made island.

One of the major activities, much of which I see almost daily from my livingroom and balcony from spring to autumn, is sailing. Nishinomiyahama is home to the Kansai Yacht Club, located at the Shin Nishinomiya Yact Harbour. This club organises regular yacht races in Osaka Bay 大阪湾. I have been lucky enough to have been invited on some of these races (as moving ballast) by Mark Smith, who is a great skipper to sail with. Derek of Smith’s School of English, Tsukaguchi スミス英会話塚口校 wrote about his first race recently (see post HERE), so I won’t go into this in any detail.

There is also a lot of dinghy sailing, and it is often a great sight watching large numbers of these little sailboats heading out for a day of racing. I also (perversely) enjoy watching learners struggling not to capsize their dinghies in the inshore waters. 

Jetski

Jetski

Although my passion is for “artistic” types of photographs, I do enjoy taking shots of the sporting activities on and around Nishinomiyahama. Here I try to create interesting compositions as well as capturing the action of what is going on. I particularly like to spend time watching the young people at the local BMX track. They amazed me at how friendly and receptive they were toward a gaijin with a big camera, and often thank me for taking pictures. I have taken some prints back to give to them and this got them really excited. I also spend some time at the skateboard park (??what do you call these places), but haven’t got such good pics there.
 
Windsurfer

Windsurfer

So I sit at my laptop on this holiday morning, watching the yachts and dinghies going out into Osaka Bay, wondering what I’ll see today to inspire me, and thinking how lucky I am: living in such a beautiful and interesting place, and having such a secial group of people as students at my school, Smith’s School of English, Kawanishi スミス英会話川西

.

BMX

BMX

 Can’t Think of better places to live and work.

Any of you reading this: I would be more than happy for you to join me sometime with your cameras, whether your interest be birds or bikes.

John

スミス英会話川西

5 Comments

  1. Edward
    Posted July 21, 2009 at 11:46 pm | Permalink

    John,

    More great pictures. As a cycling and boating enthusiast, you’ve once again struck a note in my heart! I almost feel like I took those pictures… wish I had your skill and great location.

    What’s next in the John C Photo Gallery?

    Edward, SSE Ohtsu

  2. John C
    Posted July 22, 2009 at 6:16 am | Permalink

    Why don’t you come around here some time when you’re free (Obon time?) and we can do some shooting (photos) together and I have dozens of prints.
    Thanks for you words, again.
    John

  3. Edward
    Posted July 23, 2009 at 3:24 am | Permalink

    John,

    Consider your invitation accepted. Now all I need to do is buy myself a new camera…

    Ed

  4. Posted July 23, 2009 at 8:08 pm | Permalink

    Wow, John,

    Once again, amazinig pictures! I could actually feel the moment! It almost makes me want to try flying on my bike like that…almost..

    I just have to say that I had to look twice at the guy on the bike to see if it was Edward!!

    Carol

  5. Edward
    Posted July 23, 2009 at 8:19 pm | Permalink

    Carol,

    It definitely wasn’t me! I prefer to stay on the ground when I ride. I’m not chicken, I’m just safe!

    Ed

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