“There’s no doubt in my mind — I just want to win. I just want results.” There is not even the slightest hesitation in those words. With major goals set on competing in the World Surf League Challenger Series and the 2028 Summer Olympics, professional surfer Jin Suzuki continues to push forward every day with relentless dedication.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, he discovered a new form of expression: the world of coffee. While continuing to compete as an active top professional surfer, he also chose to begin roasting coffee beans himself and running his own brand.

Why take on such a challenge right in the middle of his athletic prime? For Jin Suzuki, it was a positive decision — one that would allow him to create value through his own expression and continue proudly as a professional athlete. Rather than relying entirely on sponsorships, he is building a foundation to challenge the world through his own strength. Behind that decision lies a strong determination toward true independence as an athlete.

Relentless determination as a competitor, alongside a new challenge of carving out his own path. Balancing these two journeys at once, Jin Suzuki shared the true intentions behind the vision he sees for his future.

His Origin: “The Shonan Ocean Where I Played With My Family”

➖ First of all, could you tell us how you first got into surfing?

It was because of my father. He surfed, and on our days off we would go to the beach as a family and play near the shoreline. My earliest memories are from when I was around five or six years old, and I seriously started standing on a surfboard and surfing when I was about seven. It was at exactly the same time as my older sister, Hina Suzuki, who is two years older than me.

➖ When did you first start competing in contests?

I think it was when I was in fourth grade, around nine years old, at my first regional qualifying contest. There were only three competitors in the event, including me, but I still finished in third place. I couldn’t qualify for the NSA All Japan Championships, and I remember being incredibly frustrated by that. That’s when I flipped a switch and thought, “Next year, I’m definitely going to win.”

At that time, I simply loved surfing so much and wanted to surf all the time.

From there, things progressed naturally. At the age of 15, I earned my professional qualification from the Japan Professional Surfing Association in Keramas, Bali, and I officially began competing as a professional surfer at 16.

Experiencing On-Site Labor With “Three Hours of Sleep” Built His Hungry Mentality

➖ Surfing is a sport that comes with major expenses such as travel costs. Did you also have experience working part-time jobs?

When I was in high school, I worked part-time at a local soba restaurant for about three years whenever I had breaks between competitions. After that, I also started coaching, making use of my own experience.

The biggest experience, though, was helping with my father’s job. My father works in construction, and from around the age of 18 to 20, I balanced surfing and training while also working at construction sites.

➖ Balancing construction work with life as a professional athlete sounds incredibly demanding.

There was a summer when we had amazing waves consistently in my hometown. During that time, I would wake up around 3:00 or 3:30 in the morning, surf perfect waves for about three hours, and then head straight to my father’s construction site to work. I’d get home around 8 p.m., then stretch and train before finally going to bed around 11 p.m. or midnight… I kept up that routine nonstop for two or three months.

➖ What motivated you to push yourself that hard?

Of course, I wanted to win, but more than anything, I genuinely loved surfing. I had people like Yusuke Kato and my surfing friends nearby, and just being in the ocean with them made me happy.

At the same time, many of the people around me were seriously thinking about their futures, with some transitioning from professional surfing into working life. Seeing that gave me motivation too, and made me feel that I couldn’t afford to live half-heartedly.

Also, to survive that kind of exhausting lifestyle, I kind of had to believe that the version of myself working that hard was “cool” (laughs).

Glory at 18 — And the Reality That Followed

➖ As you continued your career as a professional, was there a major turning point that changed your mindset?

When I first became a professional, becoming a pro simply felt like the natural extension of everything I had worked toward up until then, so honestly, I wasn’t thinking that deeply about it. But as I continued building my career year by year, I started seriously asking myself, “How am I going to make a living as a professional athlete?” That’s when my desire to achieve results as a competitor and earn a living as a pro became much stronger.

At 18 years old, I won the World Surf League QS1500 MURASAKI SHONAN OPEN, which was my first victory as a professional surfer. Using the prize money from that event, I started competing internationally on what was then the QS tour, and that was when reality hit me all at once — both financially and in terms of how incredibly high the level of surfing was around the world.

➖ So that was when you truly experienced the wall separating you from the world stage.

Back then, there wasn’t yet a system like today’s World Surf League Challenger Series. The format was to travel around the world aiming for a top-100 ranking, and only the top 10 surfers could advance to the CT.

Once I actually started traveling internationally, I realized, “There’s a limit to what I can do completely on my own.” The biggest issue was money, and I think that’s probably a struggle every surfer goes through. But no matter what, I didn’t want to quit. Even though I didn’t fully know the answer, I desperately clung to the idea that I wanted to keep going somehow. That period was probably the biggest wall I faced.

➖ How were you able to overcome that difficult period?

There was definitely a time when I felt lost, but then I encountered people who supported me. Through my connection with Mr. Miyamoto, who currently supports me, I was able to train in the BJB team environment alongside surfers like Koya Miwa, Shohei Kato, and Miyu Furukawa. I also regained opportunities to travel for competitions that I had almost given up on.

That was about two years ago, and it made me think, “I want to seriously aim for the world stage once again.”

In addition, training under coach Teppei Tajima had a huge impact on me. It made me realize just how much my surfing could improve, and it gave me confidence that I was capable of much more.

Throughout all of that, my mother’s support was also incredibly important. She always genuinely believed in me, and that became a huge source of strength.

➖ As a professional surfer today, what kind of mindset do you approach competitions with now?

Right now, more than anything, I want results. More than anything, I want to win. That’s truly where all my focus is. Last year was frustrating in many ways, but every single year I feel myself growing, and I can clearly picture myself reaching my goals. At this point, that’s really all there is.

The Cup of Light Roast Coffee That Changed His Fate

➖ What inspired you to take on the new challenge of coffee?

Originally, my grandmother loved coffee, so ever since elementary school I had been drinking it with milk and sugar. Around middle school, I became more interested in it and even started collecting drip brewing equipment.

What really got me deeply into coffee was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when competitions stopped and I suddenly had more free time. At the time, Yusuke Kato was traveling around by car, and when we met in Chiba, he told me, “Roasting your own beans is really fun,” and taught me how to roast coffee using a hand roasting net.

When I actually tried it myself, it was surprisingly easy and incredibly fun.

➖ What was it about coffee that fascinated you so much?

At that time, I honestly didn’t even fully understand the differences in taste yet. But when I drank the light roast coffee that he brewed for me, it completely shocked me. I remember thinking, “There’s a world this delicious?” and being deeply moved by it.

From there, I started roasting coffee myself every day using pots and roasting nets.

Why He Chose to Launch a Brand While Still an Active Professional Athlete

➖ Beyond simply turning something you love into reality, what made you choose the more demanding path of building a “brand”?

When I started thinking about expanding my activities beyond just surfing and building something through my own efforts, coffee was the very first thing that came to mind. But at the same time, I strongly felt that if I was going to charge people money for it, I needed to approach it seriously and with full responsibility.

Around that time, I was able to win both the QS3000 IBK Miyazaki Pro WSL Pro Junior Presented by RASH and the Kitaizumi Surf Festival in Fukushima. Thanks to those results, I finally had some extra funding beyond just travel expenses that I could invest into a new challenge.

People around me also encouraged me by saying, “Whether you succeed or fail, you should try everything you want to do while you’re still young.” Once I had a clearer financial path and felt, “Now is the time to do it,” I also happened to meet a partner in Hamamatsu through my surfing connections who was willing to work together with me.

With that momentum, I decided to invest in a coffee roasting machine.

➖ Why did you choose to launch a brand while still being an active athlete, instead of waiting until after retirement?

Because I felt that “starting something only after retiring would already be too late.”

I believe that the experiences you gain while you’re young — even if they end in failure — will absolutely become valuable for your future.

Another reason is that I saw this as a form of independence that I could create for myself right now.

Of course, the foundation is still to give back through results in competition. But rather than simply relying on sponsors for support, I wanted to create and deliver coffee that we genuinely believe is delicious, and then use those sales to help fund my travels and competitions.

By creating a new option for myself in that way, I felt I could carry myself with even more pride as a professional surfer.

➖ Has your experience in business changed the way you approach surfing?

Absolutely. It changed a lot.

Whenever I have free time, I also go out and do sales activities, and through meeting people who run businesses in completely different industries, I’ve been inspired by the passion they bring to their work. It made me realize, “I also need to approach surfing with more structure, purpose, and intensity.”

I’ve also learned a lot about how to interact with people and the importance of manners and professionalism. I truly feel that every part of those experiences has positively influenced my surfing as well.

The Vision Beyond the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

➖ What are your goals moving forward?

First of all, I want to return to the WSL Challenger Series after narrowly missing out for the past two consecutive years. Beyond that, my goals are the World Surf League Championship Tour and ultimately the 2028 Summer Olympics. Those are unwavering goals for me.

As for coffee, I’d love to eventually open my own café someday.

I want to create a space in places connected to my journey — like Chiba, my hometown Odawara, or Hamamatsu — where people who love surfing, coffee lovers, and anyone else can come together and truly relax.

That vision has become one of my biggest motivations right now.

➖ What message would you like to share with young athletes who are struggling with their future or career paths?

If there are 100 people, there will be 100 different opinions. But in the end, I think what matters most is choosing what you truly want to do, and committing to it wholeheartedly so you have no regrets.

Don’t be afraid of the outcome — just take action first.

And most importantly, never forget to enjoy the process while continuing to challenge yourself.

Jin Suzuki | Profile

Born in 2001 and raised in Odawara, Kanagawa, Jin Suzuki began surfing seriously at the age of seven and earned his professional qualification at 15. In 2019, at just 18 years old, he claimed his first professional victory at the WSL QS1500 “MURASAKI SHONAN OPEN.”

While continuing to compete as a top professional surfer on both domestic and international tours, he also founded his own coffee brand, Ocean Lux Coffee. As both a brand owner and an athlete, Suzuki continues to pursue competitive success and independence as a professional athlete.

Information

For the latest updates on the coffee produced by Jin Suzuki, inquiries are currently being accepted via direct message on his personal Instagram account or the official Instagram account of Ocean Lux Coffee.

An online store that will allow customers to purchase the coffee more easily is also currently in development.