“Fun fact about my name in Japanese characters, it means ‘to have fun along the seashore’, and I’ve been living up to it since I was 4 when I started nippers at Coogee Beach!”
Born in Perth, our ‘almost’ 21 year old Japanese athlete Sara Tazaki has found herself frolicking along the Australian sandy shores for as long as she can remember.
With her parents making the move from Japan to Western Australia in the year 2000, Sara was born and raised in Perth before a family holiday to the Gold Coast presented a desirable lifestyle and an opportunity for greater ocean time.
Relocating to the Gold Coast in 2012, the Tazaki family have never looked back.
“We came here for a family holiday a year prior,” Sara said.
“My parents recognised the potential and the opportunities to extend my swimming and Surf Lifesaving, and I was on board right away!”
Embracing every opportunity that she has encountered since moving to the sunshine state, Sara currently finds herself juggling ambition, passion and dedication as she navigates her Surf Lifesaving goals, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and part-time work!
Racing under the maroon star of Northcliffe SLSC, and proudly representing Race One, Sara recently returned to the home of her heritage for the Japan Nationals.
Motivated by good health and family love, Sara claimed gold in the Ironwoman, Board and Swim events.
“This year’s Japan Nationals were very special to me,” Sara explained.
“My Uncle who had come to support me last year passed away recently, and my Grandpa was in hospital. Though they couldn’t be at the beach with me this year, I knew they were cheering for me!”
Racing over a two-day period with approximately 600 competitors upon the shores of Shirahama Beach, Sara believes that the quality and quantity of surf sports across international waters is continually growing.
“I feel that the quality of the environment and athletes at the Japan Nationals is improving each year, and the number of competitors is growing annually!”
Cheekily, she suggested that despite there being no team events at these Nationals, the spirit of the Japanese athletes could well out cheer our Australian Championships!
“The team spirit from all the clubs in Japan is incredible, perhaps better than at our Aussies!”
In collaboration with Race One and the Japan Surf Lifesaving Association, Sara hosted a surf clinic of approximately 50 athletes across all ages sharing her passion and surf knowledge from her Australian backyard.
“The sessions included board, ski, swim and transition skills, plus relays and races,” Sara excitedly shared.
“With the support of Race One, we used the craft to execute the sessions, and were able to present merchandise as prizes! Everyone was ecstatic!”
Looking forward to the 2024/25 season, Sara will find herself lining the sandy shores of Australia at the upcoming Lifesaving World Championships where she will represent Japan, before kicking off the Australian Summer season with big goals, exciting new opportunities and of course, aspiring ‘to have fun along the seashore’, throughout the entire journey.
by Allie Lyndon