To my brothers and sisters of the desert.

Tokyo, Japan — 2026

Dear brothers and sisters,

Hey, do you remember me? I’m the Japanese guy who showed up to the Marathon des Sables with a surfboard on his back. Yes — that one. The board with the message painted on it.

My name is Yoshio Shinkawa. I live in Tokyo, I sell real estate during the week, and on the weekends I surf. That is the simple truth of who I am. I am not a fast runner. I never was. But I came to MDS anyway, because I had something I wanted to carry across that desert.

“ I am not a runner crossing the desert.
I am a surfer walking through it. ”

A lot of you came up to me at the bivouac, smiling, asking, “Why the board?” Some of you helped me lift it over the dunes. A few of you took photos with it. One of you taped my blisters when I could not bend down. I will never forget that. This is what the Sahara does. It strips everything down, and what is left is the kindness of strangers.

To each one of you — the runner from France who shared his electrolytes, the woman from Brazil who taught me her stretching routine, the brothers from the UK who sang in our tent at midnight, the Moroccan staff who poured my water with both hands — I see you. I remember you. You are part of why I came home a different person.

I came to MDS not to win, but to find out what I am made of when everything is taken away. The wave gives you that answer in three seconds. The desert takes seven days. Both told me the same thing in the end: be honest, keep going, and respect the people around you.

If we meet again on the start line, please say hello. My English is still poor, but I can smile, share my food, and walk beside you. That is enough. That has always been enough, out there.

Until then, take care of your feet, your friends, and your reasons for being out there. The desert is waiting. So am I.

With deep respect and a salty handshake,

Yoshio Shinkawa

Tokyo · Surfer · Real Estate · @surfrider.yoshio