No matter how many times you go into the ocean , you will never get the same waves.

Tadayuki Kato, a well-known surfer, buys for the surf and skate culture-focused brand "SSZ" within BEAMS, one of Japan's leading select stores. Originally from Kamakura, where he still lives and works, Kato often takes a dip in the ocean before going to work, regardless of the season.

I surfed for the first time when I was in college. I happened to have a chance to go to Hawaii at the time, and for some reason I bought just a wetsuit and thought, 'Isn't this really cold? After returning to Japan, I put it on and tried it on for the first time. After returning to Japan, I put it on and tried it out in the ocean in the middle of winter, but I didn't feel cold at all (laughs). I thought to myself, "Wow! Wow! I still remember how excited I was. It was a strange start, but that's when I decided to take up surfing for real.

After that, Mr. Kato says he taught himself how to ride the waves. He says that Kamakura's proximity to the ocean encouraged him to continue surfing, and he was able to do so without losing heart.

Even if I can't ride the waves, it feels good just to be in the ocean. Also, no matter how many times I go in the ocean, the waves are never the same, so I never get bored. . And there are not always good waves in the ocean in Kanagawa. So, when there are no waves for days on end, I find myself saying, "I can't wait to get in the ocean. I also had to work on the family farm, so even when there were good waves, I often couldn't get in, so my desire to surf only grew stronger.

REASON_01 "Activities Need Toughness!"

On the other hand, Mr. Kato first encountered "G-SHOCK" when he was a college student.

I like tough watches. There was a TV commercial once that showed a G-Shock watch being used instead of an ice hockey puck, and it really made an impact on me. At the time, it was the 90s, and I liked the same kind of quality and solidity in clothing. I would wear work-brand items, thick oxford B.D. shirts, and wear a G-Shock on my wrist. It's still the same today, but something that can be used hard without hesitation is what tickles a man's fancy.

A long time has passed since then, but Mr. Kato still loves to wear his "G-Shock" watches.

. when I surf, I go in the ocean before work, so I have to be constantly on the clock. . So I have to wear a waterproof watch. I can't go into the ocean with my cell phone (laughs). That's why I wear my "G-Shock" all the time."

REASON_02 "Various functions to support surfing!

The "G-LIDE" that Mr. Kato is wearing this time is a model with a full range of functions to support surfing. It is equipped with a thermometer, moon data, and a tide graph, and has all the functions required by surfers.

. Tide is very important for surfers to know the conditions of the waves. Basically, it is said that wave conditions are good when the tide goes from low to high. But in shallow waters such as Okinawa , if the tide is too low, it is impossible to surf. On the other hand, in deeper waters, the waves start breaking when the ocean depth becomes shallow due to the ebb tide. Waves appear differently depending on the topography, so a tide graph is very useful.

On the other hand, the phases of the moon are also an important factor in determining wave conditions.

When the moon is full, it is "high tide," and the difference in height between high and low tide is the greatest. When the moon is half-moon, it is "low tide," and the difference between high and low tides is minimal. For surfers, the more the waves are moving, the more likely they are to encounter good waves, so they want to go to the ocean at high tide. If the weather is bad and you can't see the moon, you can tell by looking at this watch, so the moon data is very helpful.

Despite the small tide and relatively calm wave conditions that day, Mr. Kato rode the waves nimbly, making full use of his long board. Checking the tide graph frequently, he was in the ocean, watching for the right moment to catch a wave. While looking at his watch, he uttered a few words typical of a "BEAMS" buyer, which was impressive.

If I were to order a custom G-Shock, I would definitely include a tide graph.

REASON_03 "Cool design linked to the sea!"

G-LIDE" is characterized not only by its various functions , but also by its fresh design. The "GAX-100" series has a clear belt, and the "GWX-5600" series is designed to look like a surfboard. . Both series have a cool design that looks great in the ocean.

The clear model I'm wearing now has a rugged, masculine image. I like the flashiness of the watch. I sometimes lose my watch, so if it stands out this much, I won't be able to leave it behind somewhere (laughs). On the other hand, the wood grain of the digital model is eye-catching. There was a time when surfboards were made of "balsa" wood. You can tell that the design was inspired by the good old surf culture.

REASON_04 "Radio Wave Solar Supports Busy Activists!

Mr. Kato finished surfing without incident. He thought it was time to go to work, but when he returned home, he got in his truck and headed for the fields of his family business, Kato Farm, to start harvesting vegetables. He says that the warm weather makes the vegetables grow faster and larger quickly, so he has to harvest them in small batches.

Along with "BEAMS," working on this farm is also an important job for me. I wake up early in the morning, harvest the vegetables, and sell them at the Lembai (a sales point of the Kamakura City Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives). After that, I always head back to the office."

Mr. Kato is in constant motion with his surfing, family business, and buying business. He says that a watch is an indispensable part of his life. He says that the "G-LIDE" has a function that helps him in his busy life.

The model I'm wearing now is solar-charged. I really appreciate this feature. When a watch battery runs out, it's a hassle to replace it (laughs). (laughs) . When I am busy, I don't have time to go out to do that. Also, the radio-controlled clock is very attractive. I always get on the train at a certain time, so a few minutes off the time can be fatal. So it's nice that it displays the exact time.

REASON_05 "For activities other than the sea!"

Mr. Kato speaks with great enthusiasm as he harvests his vegetables. When I asked him about the farm's specialties, he responded, "I am a farmer.

. "We have to deliver vegetables that are in season while respecting the four seasons. If we can prepare the environment of the field using plastic greenhouses, we can grow vegetables regardless of the season, but we do not rely on that. . Rather, we want to provide summer vegetables for the hot season and winter vegetables for the cold season. Just like fashion, I think it is very Japanese and emotional to enjoy the season.

The catch of the day was air-cured greens, Swiss chard, and green beans. All of them are in season now, and their fresh aroma wafted through the field.

." "When you're harvesting, you can't worry about dirt. . because it's normal to get dirt on them. Of course, I can't wear a high-end watch. But with "G-SHOCK," I can wear it on my wrist without any concern, so I can concentrate on my work in the field. I feel absolutely safe in any situation, regardless of when I am harvesting, so G-SHOCK is an attractive watch.

After finishing his work in the field, Mr. Kato looked at the "G-LIDE," said, "I have to go to work," loaded the harvested vegetables on his truck, and turned back to his house. The "G-LIDE" is not only good for surfing, but also for other activities. . It might be a good idea to put this watch on your wrist and start preparing for the summer holiday season that will soon be upon us.