Isamu Tatsuno (USA)

In 1975, when he was 28 years old, Tatsuno became enthusiastic about canoeing and kayaking. His passion for the sport led him to be the first to bring polyethylene kayaks to Japan with the import of Perception kayaks in 1985. His company, MontBell, became one of the largest retailers of whitewater kayaks in the world. Tatsuno has many first descents in Japan and has paddled many places around the world, as well.

In 1975, when he was 28 years old, Isamu Tatsuno became enthusiastic about canoeing and kayaking. His passion for the sport led him to be the first to bring polyethylene kayas to Japan with the import of Perception kayaks in 1985. His company, MontBell, became one of the largest retailers of white water kayaks in the world. MontBell currently has approximately 130 outdoor retail stores throughout Japan, 50 of which include kayaks for whitewater, touring and recreation as well as canoes, inflatable and folding kayaks and canoes. With some stores located in many of the busiest train stations in Japan initially, the exposure of the sport of kayaking to the public can be counted in the millions.  Today, some of MontBell’s stores are now freestanding locations, like the Montbell Outdoor Village in Nara. The new flagship store is the largest mono brand outdoor retail store in Japan and includes a test paddle pond where kayaks can be tested before purchase.

Tatsuno’s contribution to our sport goes beyond his business of selling paddling gear and outdoor experiences.  He has given back to the public and the community to extend the reach of his love for paddling to non-traditional and underserved groups. In 1991, he founded and teaches at Paramount Challenge Canoe (a Japanese association promoting canoeing for the disabled) and teaches at the Biwako Seikei Sports University.

In 2003 MontBell, under the direction of Tatsuno, held the first TRY AND CARRY event in Hakui City, Japan. The event was held at MontBell’s warehouse location by the Japan Sea where all types of paddle craft could be tested and also included two large temporary pools for testing nearby. The event was held for 8 consecutive years.

In 2004 the first white water kayak festival, CHECK IT OUT, was held in two locations, Nagatoro and Shikoku. The CHECK IT OUT event was also held in 2005, 2088, 2009 and 2010. Tatsuno was also the driving force behind the MontBell FRIENDS FAIR introduced in 2007 and it has continued each year since.  The FRIENDS FAIR was aimed to increase exposure to MontBell’s Outdoor club membership, which numbers in the tens of thousands and included an indoor river pool that exposed many more to the potential and beauty of kayaking.

In 2009 MontBell also hosted the first SEA TO SUMMIT event in cooperation with local governments. The goal of starting SEA TO SUMMIT was twofold; to have participants reflect on the importance of nature while enjoying the outdoors and to help revitalize local areas through outdoor activities.  SEA TO SUMMIT is held over two days. On the first day an “Environmental Symposium” is held with guest speakers lecturing on environmental issues. The main event is held on the second day and is comprised of three stages: water (kayaking), countryside (cycling) and mountain. The goal is not only for participants to have fun during a race, but rather to be surrounded by nature and reflect on your relationship with and the importance of the natural world. To reduce the environmental impact the event leaves, participants are limited to 300 participants. In addition, a portion of everyone’s entry fee is donated to the local government, which is put towards protecting the local environment. This year the SEA TO SUMMIT EVENT is being expanded to 14 cities throughout Japan. The MontBell organization, under the guidance of Isamu Tatsuno has exposed many millions of individuals and families to the sport of white water kayaking and canoeing, rafting, touring and recreational as well as sea kayaking for nearly 4 decades.

He is also deeply involved in social causes. In 1991, he founded Paramount Challenge Canoe (a Japanese association promoting canoeing for the disabled) and is very active in education as well. He is a member of the Sport Committee of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and serves on the committee for the Outdoor Education Foundation for Youth.

Accomplishments

• Won the 3rd annual Kansai Wild Water Games kayaking competition in 1975
• Completed the first kayak descent of the Kurobe River in the Japan Alps from its headwaters to the mouth at the Sea of Japan in 1987
• Kayaked many rivers including the Trishuli River, the Marsyangdi River and the Seti River in the Himalayas of Nepal and rivers through the jungles of Costa Rica in 1991
• Explored the Great Bend, Yarlung Zangbo River in Eastern Tibet
• Circumnavigated Kunashiri Island by sea kayak in 1992
• Was the first Japanese kayaker to kayak the Colorado River through Arizona’s Grand Canyon in 1992
• Traveled from Kamchatka Peninsula along the Aleutian Islands to Alaska in 1995.
• Held the first paracanoe class (Paramount Canoe Challenge) in Japan.