Nishihama Surf Life Saving Club × BILLABONG “Enoshima Ocean Cleanup 2026” Event Report

On June 14, the joint cleanup event 'Enoshima Ocean Cleanup 2026' was held by BILLABONG and the Nishihama Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC). This initiative has been held annually since 2022, marking its fifth year in 2026. This year’s theme was 'Spread Awareness, Stay Prepared.' As participants cleaned the coastline, streets, and Enoshima’s inlet, they reconfirmed the connection between the city and the sea. Through CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training led by lifeguards, the event also became a day of learning how each individual who enjoys the seaside can be prepared to act in an emergency.

Shonan, the heart of Japan’s surf culture. For those who make the ocean their daily playground, the beach is more than just a place to play. It’s where friends gather, where they enjoy surfing and feel the changing seasons—a space deeply connected to the city, rivers, and daily life. The slogan 'PROTECT THE PLACES WE PLAY' shared by BILLABONG and Nishihama SLSC embodies this profound relationship with the sea.

Individuals and groups cleaning beaches are on the rise, and in some areas, streets and beaches appear cleaner than before. Yet the reality remains largely unchanged: trash carried from urban areas through rivers is swept by tides into hard-to-reach places. Even if visible areas look clean, debris continues to accumulate in secluded spots like Enoshima’s inlet. Recognizing and communicating this gap between daily perception and actual conditions is the starting point of this initiative.

The event was held just before the official beach opening that marks the start of summer. Participants split into groups: members of affiliated organizations such as Iwasaki Gakuen and general volunteers cleaned the beach and surrounding streets. Another group, led by lifeguards, professional surfers, JO ASHITO, REN OKANO, and TAIRO TAKAI, paddled to Enoshima to collect debris washed into the inlet.

This year, Enoshima looked slightly different from previous years. While visits usually occurred near high tide, on this day the tide was low, exposing the inlet’s seabed normally hidden underwater. Participants encountered muddy sediment, large debris caught between rocks, and plastic bags continuously washing ashore. The trash found there—clearly originating not from distant places but from our immediate surroundings—was more abundant than expected.

Commonly found items included food containers, plastic bottles, empty cans, and excessive individual snack wrappers. Larger debris included fragments of polystyrene boxes, tents, car tires, traffic cones, and even car bumpers. Among the items were personal belongings such as an insurance card, highlighting how lost objects from city streets travel through rivers and eventually end up in the sea.

To preserve clean oceans for the future, beach cleanup alone is not enough. It’s essential that each of us cultivates awareness to reduce waste in our daily lives. Every small choice—what we buy, how we use it, where we dispose of it—accumulates and ultimately shapes the condition of our oceans.

This year, CPR training led by lifeguards followed the cleanup. Participants learned how surfers and beachgoers can respond in emergencies. Under lifeguard instruction, they practiced chest compressions and learned the importance of immediate response, sharing through experience what it truly means to 'be prepared when it matters most.'

Protecting the environment. Understanding the connection between city and sea. Preparing to safeguard lives of those enjoying the ocean. Each of these actions contributes to preserving our playgrounds for future generations. The reality revealed at Shonan’s coast is not unique to this location—every ocean is connected to cities, rivers, and people’s lives.

Daisuke Arai, Director, Marketing & Environmental Committee, Nishihama SLSC

Founded in 1963, Nishihama SLSC is a historic lifeguard organization that has conducted summer water rescue operations for over 60 years. BILLABONG supports their activities by providing patrol beachwear.

JO ASHITO, BILLABONG Pro Rider

REN OKANO, BILLABONG Pro Rider

TAIRO TAKAI, BILLABONG Pro Rider

'Enoshima sits at the mouth of the Sakai River, making it prone to accumulating everyday waste. The sheer volume of debris in the inlet clearly reflects how much trash flows from the city into the sea. Protecting the ocean isn’t just about picking up trash—it’s about not littering in the first place and minimizing waste as much as possible!'

Led by Ryo Ueno, a Nishihama SLSC member and Captain of the Japanese Lifesaving Team, CPR training was conducted. 'What I want everyone to remember is that when someone’s heart stops, the most important thing is how quickly we can restore oxygen to the brain. To do that, we must keep pressing on the heart continuously. If someone collapses, please start chest compressions as soon as possible. That’s the one thing I hope everyone remembers.'

'Place the heel of your hand between the nipples, directly over the heart. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, lock your elbows, and use your body weight to press down. Aim for about 5 centimeters of depth. At a rate of about 100 compressions per minute—more than once per second.'

Hands-on CPR practice followed. Whether someone can act instinctively in a real emergency often comes down to this kind of preparation. Knowing what to do can save lives.

Kaito Yamada, Patrol Captain of Nishihama Surf Life Saving Club: 'The Enoshima bathing beach will open on July 1. If a tsunami advisory or warning is issued during the operating period, we will raise a red-and-white checkered tsunami flag. This is a critical visual alert to those in the water. When lifeguards raise this flag, please follow instructions and public announcements and evacuate promptly to safe areas. We are committed to creating a safe and enjoyable seaside environment.'

PROTECT THE PLACES WE PLAY! Let’s protect our playground—the ocean!

<2026 Bathing Beach Operating Period> Katase Higashi Beach July 1 (Wed) – September 6 (Sun) ・Swimming hours: [Weekdays] 9:00–17:00 [Weekends, Holidays, Obon Period (Aug 8–16)] 8:00–17:00 ・Beach House operating hours: 8:00–18:00 (some stores until 21:00)

Katase Nishihama & Kugenuma Beach July 1 (Wed) – September 13 (Sun) ・Swimming hours: [Weekdays] 9:00–17:00 [Weekends, Holidays, Obon Period (Aug 8–16)] 8:00–17:00 ・Beach House operating hours: 8:00–21:00

※ For further details including swimming zones, please refer to the link below. https://www.fujisawa-kanko.jp/event/20260602-1.html