5 Questions for the Outdoor Family – Sunny Otake

Dec 4

I stumbled across Sunny on a tropical beach one winters day - SUP boarding with her dog!!!

Yes you heard me right. So a friendship was borne then and there from the simple fact that Sunny was happy for me to take loads of photos of her and her dog Lucky (how apt) and feature them on my 'Dog' blog. The more I've got to know Sunny the more amazing things she has revealed about herself and her life. Read on to learn more...

Sunny Otake - Kanazawa Japan @adventuremumma.jpg

I was born in Kanazawa, Japan where it’s renowned for its magnificent Japanese garden and old castle. “Sanae” is my real Japanese name, which means “Rice Sprout” and I am the mum of two big kids, Aila (17) and Keanu (15). I’ve been living in Cairns, Australia for more than 15 years. I work as a Medical Interpreter, Writer and Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Assistant Coach.

What have been some of your ‘Coolest’ Adventures (Before Kids)?

I’d been living in a big jungle with lots of tall buildings where it’s called Tokyo. Just before my graduation from university, I was diagnosed as “Unknown Fever” and stayed in a hospital for a couple of months. My parents and I were sent to a doctor’s room and told that I will never be able to live a normal life because of this illness.

Sunny as a young girl

Sunny moved from the metropolitan Tokyo to the tropical life of Cairns

Alia’s first steps were in Byron Bay

However, I didn’t believe him at all and booked a ticket to Australia!! (What a naughty patient I was!) I didn’t do anything except see beautiful ocean and breathe clean air for a month. Believe it or not, I was totally healed and that’s when I decided to come to Australia to live. After working hard, days and nights for three years, I came back to Australia again. I think that was the coolest and bravest adventure I have experienced in my life.

What have been some of your standout ‘Special’ Moments you’ve shared with your children?

We travelled around Australia by Kombi when our daughter, Aila was only 11 months old. Our trip started in Cairns, travelled down south along the east coast, crossed Nullarbor Plain, reached WA then drove up on the west coast. We camped on the beach, in the bush or sometimes along the highway.

When Aila was 5 and Keanu was 3, we started living on a yacht and sailed along the east coast of Australia between Cairns and Sydney. We saw whales jumping, dolphins swimming along our boat, billions of stars when we did night sailing, thunder storms on the ocean, lots of night lights in Sydney Harbour and the pitch black of the open ocean. These are the experience we cannot have by getting the entrance tickets to a theme park.

Our house & transport – “Hawaiki”

The ocean is a great educational tool

It's my kid’s teacher & playground

What TIPS can you offer to families who want to do MORE with their children?

I think exercising and exploring with kids are the great way for our health and bonding. We can have fun and brush up our skills at the same time. When you buy something, do not buy toys or a fake experience. Invest in professional sports gear or real life experiences.We’ve been stand up paddling together for eight years and even my dog is joining my team. (Thanks to Adventure Mumma, aka Kate. She spotted us at Kewarra Beach.)

Sunny’s dog Lucky loves the water.

Surfing and SUP boarding in Hawaii

Sunny’s SUP mate, Lucky the dog

What things do would you still LIKE to experience with your children (a bucket list)?

These are the things I want to do. The kids are old enough now to decide if they want to come along or not. If they do then they’re more than welcome.・Riding a horse on the beach.・Go skiing in Japan and having hot springs in the snow.・Trekking up to Machu Picchu in South America.・SUP board all over the world.・Explore the Pacific Islands… and more

Where can we find you?

I’m sending my love of Cairns to the world through Instagram (http://instagram.com/sanaeotake) in English and also writing about my life on my blog in Japanese. (http://ameblo.jp/sunny-natural-life/ )

I’m part of a team called “SUP Mate Cairns”, which is a school, club and playground for all SUP lovers.

Please check out our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SupMateCairns)

Instagram (http://instagram.com/supmate_cairns)

Twitter (https://twitter.com/supmate_cairns)

Website (http://www.paddleboardingcairns.com.au/)

We are located at Palm Cove between May and October."

Exploring around Lake Barrine in TNQ

Sunny on a Double Island SUP tour

Note from Adventure Mumma: Sunny is a fantastic SUP boarding coach!! If she isn't SUPing during the Winter months off the beaches of Cairns then she will be offering SUP boarding adventures inland during the 'Summer' months (due to our 'stinger' season).To read more about about Sunny and SUP boarding in TNQ check out these articles:

Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) in Tropical Palm Cove - Click HERE to read.

SUP Dog – Paddle Boarding with Dog - Click HERE to read.

Are you and your family an 'Outdoor Family'? Tell me some of the things you really enjoy doing as a family. Would you like to be featured (or know somebody who should be featured) on this blog?