Yusei Ikariyama grew up in the Akaogi village, Tatsugo-cho, Amami, Japan — right next to the Pacific Ocean. He started surfing as a young teen, got into trouble, dropped out of high school, had encounters with the police, and generally lived the true, authentic life of a Japanese punk surfer. Much of his world has revolved around the ocean since then. Now, he’s trying to give back by protecting it.
The pro surfer had an epiphany in adulthood. He realized that his ocean playground was under threat. Industrial developers were encroaching with plans to build along the coastlines, putting sensitive ecosystems at risk.
Coral reefs and ocean life in the area are suffering as a result. Ikariyama couldn’t stand idly by. So he created his own nonprofit, dedicated to protecting the areas where the ocean meets land — a place Japanese fishermen call “Nedi.” Watch as he rallies his community around its singular goal.
Patagonia’s latest feature film, “Totoganashi,” follows Ikariyama as he ventures to protect the environment and ecosystems he loves and to preserve the ocean-centric culture of his community.
Follow Ikaeiyama on Instagram (@ikarip) and find more Patagonia films like “Totoganashi” on the brand’s YouTube page.
