Jason Shibata
North Shore, Oahu

Jason Shibata very well may be the salt of the earth. Humble, talented, and well spoken, Shibata has fashioned himself into the embodiment of the Aloha spirit. Raised in the working-class neighborhood of Pearl City, Shibata took to the lineup under the guidance of his father at 10 years old. A testament to his talent, a mere two years later saw him competing against the likes of Andy, Bruce, and the rest of the Hawaiian surf crop via the NSSA. In the following years, “Bats” as he’s known by his friends, cemented his flawless mixture of positive attitude and prowess in the water to become the surfer he is today: Equally fearless in waves of consequence as he is progressive and nimble in the most rippable surf.
   
Recently, Shibata has taken his act on the road where he competes on the ASP’s Japanese Tour, garnering himself a steady string of solid contest results in the process. Although many a traveling pro haven’t held Japan in the highest esteem, Shibata remains frothy on the Land of the Rising Sun.
“I love everything about Japan. The people, the places…and the surf gets fun. Plus, I’m part Japanese and it’s such a big part of my heritage that I love getting in touch with that part of me. You know, seeing my history and everything.” Also part native Hawaiian, Shibata hasn’t neglected his Polynesian roots either. As a graduate of Kamehameha schools—an elite institution set up to educate children of Hawaiian descent—Shibata has shown a conscious effort to pay tribute to his history through his first-class high school education.
  
 Currently calling a house at Off the Wall home, winter ’08/’09 saw Bats take to the North Shore like a kid on Christmas morning. Come November, if the Seven-Mile Miracle is happening, you’re guaranteed to see Shibata pulling into the throaty tubes of his backyard. This year, at the Pipe Masters, Bats upped his game and acted as a roving reporter and commentator for the webcast, earning himself a pair of media wings in the process.

Whether it be pulling in at Backdoor, paying homage to his roots, or cruising in Japan, Shibata’s a well-versed surfer and individual to say the least. In the future (when not rushing waves that make the average man queasy) look for Shibata to continue to lay siege on the Japanese circuit.



Sponsors:
Billabong, Dropout Surfboards, Vertra Skincare, Ronin Eyewear,Destination Surf Accessories, XFT

Years Surfing:
19 years in the water


Favorite Spots:
I enjoy surfing at Haleiwa, Barbers Point, Kewalos, and anywhere in Indonesia


What kind of car do you drive:
Toyota 4Runner


Favorite Food:
I enjoy eating Hawaiian and Japanese cuisines


Who or what inspires you?
Rell Sunn, IZ, Jason Bogle, Malik Jouyex, these were true ambassadors of Aloha and their legacy lives on!


What's your idea of perfect happiness?
I'm very happy with the life that I'm living right now. I've beenblessed with a great family that have instilled strong family values in me. I'm surrounded by the best group of friends here in Hawaii and throughout the World! I've been a professional surfers since I graduated from Kamehameha at 17 and I've been able to travel the globe for this sport and make it my career.


Which living person do you most admire?
I admire a man by the name of Kimo Middlesworth!  A role model to me with strong character, who pushes me to be my best!  He's not a man who seeks exposure or a pat on his back.  Kimo prides himself highly on being true to your word and standing up for what you believe.  This is how I want to be.


What's your greatest extravagance?
Food


What word or phrase do you most overuse?
Definitely


What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being voted by my peers and the State of Hawaii through Freesurf Magazine as The Ambassador of Aloha 2 years in a row! For Hawaii and my peers to look at me in this light is an amazing achievement to me!


If you could, what or who would you come back as in your next life?
One life to live buddy.


What's your most treasured possession?
My Passport! Without it I wouldn't have the experiences that I've lived that make me the person that I am today.


If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I love living in Hawaii. I can visit anywhere in the World for any given length of time, but Hawaii will always be home. It's where my roots are; my family, friends and everything that I could ever need is in Hawaii!


What is your favorite occupation?
Professional surfing, of course.  There are a few others that sort ofcome close, but definitely not as good.


What do you most value in your life?
Family and friends!


Career highlights:
Surfing spots like Shipstern's Bluff in Tasmania, Teahupoo in Tahiti, Padang Padang in Indonesia and anywhere in Hawaii.