On September 9, Typhoon Etau blew across the center of Japan, leaving more than 300mm of rainfall in certain areas and marking the beginning of consecutive changes in schedules for Symbas athletes.

The destructive guerrilla downpours did not end with Etau. This year’s autumn has left Symbas athletes unable to rely on meteorologists to predict whether their practices and games will go as planned, or be cancelled.

The tennis team, required to play on an outdoor court, has been hit hardest with the excessive precipitation. Mr. Jeremic, Symbas tennis coach, had never come across so much conflict from rain in the 8 or 9 seasons he has coached the team. “Usually we only have a problem with the hot and humid weather, especially at the beginning of the first month, but this year was completely different,” he said.

The team endured a season of either missing out on their practices and only being able to participate in games, or not being able to compete due to cancellations, despite having had lots of practice.

Darya (11) expressed her disappointment that the rain inhibited practice on the court and increased the number of workout sessions in the gymnasium instead. She said, “Conditioning is important, but at the end of the day we play tennis. I would like to see how much more we would have improved if we had not missed so much time on court.”

In spite of cross country taking place outdoors, the team has been less affected this season. Except for one cancelled meet which Mr. Bowler explains is a normal occurrence, the cross country team has not lost any practice or competition time. The runners have learned to cope with training in wet conditions and compete to the best of their ability, rain or shine. Miya (12), a cross country runner, explained that she does not mind running in the rain. She added that some of her fellow runners even perform better in the rain.

Volleyball, however, has not been affected by rain this season, as both practices and games were played in the gymnasium. Mr. Griffiths, JV volleyball coach, also said that the teams had also had no trouble commuting between schools to play at other schools.

Will This Continue?

In the past 100 years, global temperature has risen about 0.85 degrees celsius while Japan’s average temperature has increased by a whole degree. Although these changes seem minor, even the slightest increase in temperature can greatly alter weather patterns.

In Japan’s case, these changes will result in an amplified contrast between its seasons. It will augment the occurrence and intensity of heat waves, heavy rain, and typhoons from May to October, and decreased precipitation during the winter.

Most likely the lack of rain in the winter season will make up for lost game time for the Symbas.