This time, we interviewed Nabu, a heavy user who maintains an all-black style.
Nabu boasts an impressive 100 voyages in a year and a half.
He shared insights into his unique style, cultivated through SUP and camping, the reliability he seeks in his gear, and his encounter with FOLBOT.
Nabu's Profile: An outdoor enthusiast who spends most weekends in the field. He is known for his "black camper style," unifying his camp setup with black-themed gear, and shares his SUP and camping experiences on Instagram. As a heavy user with 100 voyages in a year and a half, he enjoys a real outdoor lifestyle in the field.
Instagram @nablas_films
Encountering SUP, Starting with Board Sports
—What got you into water activities, Nabu?
Nabu: Originally, I was into snowboarding, so I liked what you call "board sports." But snowboarding can only be done in winter. I was looking for something I could enjoy in the summer with a similar feeling.
That's when I discovered SUP at Lake Aoki through a friend 11 years ago, and that's how it all started.
—11 years ago, SUP wasn't as common as it is now, right?
Nabu: That's right. At the time, I didn't know what to choose, so I started by buying a cheap board from Amazon for about 30,000 to 50,000 yen. I wasn't sure if I'd stick with it.
But once I started, I quickly got hooked, and a year later, I bought a more robust model.
The "Black Camper Style" Born from Collecting Favorite Gear
—Did that lead to combining it with camping and ultimately developing your current "black camper" style?
Nabu: I had actually started camping little by little even before SUP.
I learned about FOLBOT about three years ago when I saw a tactical kayak on Instagram. I absolutely loved the brand "DEVISE WORKS" and my site was filled with their gear, so when I saw that FOLBOT was chosen as a collaboration partner, I thought, "This is it!"
☝A collaborative SUP with DEVICE WORKS. A valuable model imbued with the brand's worldview.
—When I visited your site, I was overwhelmed by the sense of unity.
Nabu: I wasn't conscious of it at first, but as I collected things I liked, it gradually turned black (laughs).
There's a kind of community in the camping world where people unify their gear by color, like the campers next to me who had everything in tan.
☝Nabu's black camper style, featuring gear unified in black.
The Overwhelming Stability of FOLBOT SUPs: "Ride with Peace of Mind"
—Now that you've started using FOLBOT SUPs, how do they compare to your previous models?
Nabu: The biggest difference is the overwhelming stability.
My wife uses a light single-layer board, and I can clearly feel the difference in wobble when I ride it.
Also, with other brands I used before, I sometimes experienced initial defects like air leaking overnight after a day's use.
Trouble on the water can be life-threatening, so I can't compromise on the reliability of my gear.
I was concerned about heat expansion with black boards, but FOLBOT products don't have such problems, and I can truly ride them with peace of mind.
Customizing Your Gear: The Joy of Making It Your Own
—We're honored by your trust. You've done a lot of customization, haven't you, Nabu?
Nabu: I've glued a GoPro mount for selfies and customized my PFD (life jacket) with many patches.
It's fun to modify things to suit my own convenience.
As for maintenance, it's a habit to wash everything thoroughly after getting home.
Especially with shoes, I soak and wash them well in the bath because I'm concerned about the smell.
By nature, I like to keep things as tidy as a show home (laughs).
—I was surprised earlier to hear how many times you've been out on the water...
Nabu: Actually, when I counted yesterday, I realized I'd been out paddling about 100 times in the last year and a half. (laughs)
—100 times! You definitely ride more than we do as manufacturers (laughs).
Nabu: I go camping about 40 to 45 times a year, but I use SUP mostly during the season from May to October.
During that period, I go camping almost every weekend, so I'll go for a paddle before setting up, and then go in again after taking down camp and working up a sweat before heading home.
It's completely integrated into my lifestyle now.
☝Nabu enjoying the outdoors in his own style, with customized SUP and PFD.
Heavy User's Demands for Gear
—Paddling 100 times in a year and a half, do you find yourself wishing for certain items?
Nabu: What I really want is a SUP stand first. I don't want to put it directly on the ground, so I'd like a multi-functional one that can also be used as a table.
Next, water shoes. It's hard to find stylish ones that are thin enough not to impair the feel of my feet.
And my biggest wish is for a lightweight model that women and children can easily handle.
I often go out with my family, and the weight becomes a real issue when there's a long distance from the parking lot to the water's edge.
It might be difficult to balance toughness and lightness, but I'd really like you to consider it.
Expanding Encounters and Community in the Field
—Thank you. A SUP stand and shoes are something we'd also like to develop, so your feedback is very helpful.
Finally, what motivates you to continue your outdoor activities, Nabu?
Nabu: Actually, because my child has a disability, I want to create opportunities to go outside and interact with various people in various places, rather than staying cooped up at home.
Through camping and SUP, I've had so many encounters.
Connecting with people I accidentally met on the lake through Instagram, and gathering with other owners like this.
To expand this wonderful community, I want to continue sharing my experiences with FOLBOT gear.
—Through the interview
As evidenced by his 100 voyages in a year and a half, SUP is already an integral part of Nabu's life.
New encounters on the lake and precious family time.
Nabu's words revealed how the allure of an outdoor lifestyle, expanded through SUP, naturally blends into his daily life.
Our conversation with Nabu reaffirmed our desire to expand this community together with our users.
Nabu's activities in the field and his black camper style are also shared on Instagram.
Please check it out.
Instagram @nablas_films
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