Faces of disc golf - Aki "NAKATA" Koskinen
Who are you?
I'm a father of a large family, an artist, musician (@rannyandthehighlanders), and craftsman. In the late 90s, I was one of the main people involved in designing and building the Savelan skatepark, which was, at the time, the largest skatepark in the Nordics – built entirely by young skaters through volunteer work in 1997. I'm also the person behind Nakata, a small, independent brand that designs and handcrafts upcycled disc golf backpacks and accessories. I work mostly with recycled materials like old tents, banners, and flags, which I turn into durable and unique bags. I’ve always been a hands-on person, and graduating as a tailor in 2011 and a milliner in 2013 gave me the skills to turn that passion into a profession. Now I get to apply those skills from a disc golfer’s perspective. Creating gear that’s both practical and personal. Everything is designed and sewn by me in my garage workshop in Järvenpää, Finland with a focus on function, sustainability, and style. For me, Nakata is not just about making bags, it's about creativity, sustainability, and giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste.
What’s disc golf to you?
For me, disc golf is all about love, love for the people I play with, love for being out in nature, and even love for those perfect throwing lines that just feel right. I’ve been hooked since 2008, and it’s taken over pretty much all of my free time in the best possible way. It’s more than just throwing discs, it’s a way to relax, challenge myself, and stay connected to the things that matter: people, nature, and that feeling of doing something you truly enjoy. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a way to turn my passion into my work by creating upcycled disc golf bags under the Nakata brand. Last summer I also had the chance to volunteer at the European Open, one of the most amazing events I’ve ever been part of. I got to work alongside an international crew of volunteers, all united by one goal – to help create the best disc golf event in the world. It felt like a dress rehearsal for this year’s World Championships, and I recommend volunteering to anyone who loves the sport. It’s a powerful way to give back and to feel connected to something bigger than yourself.
Forehand or Backhand?
Backhand all the way. I love throwing slightly understable discs on a hyzer flip – especially my old Innova SL. That disc just knows what to do. There’s nothing better than watching it flip up perfectly and glide straight down a tight forest fairway. When it hits the gap just right, it feels like a small personal victory every time.
Favorite disc golf course?
My favorite course is Meilahti in Helsinki or as we call it in our club FGSMH, ‘the temple’. It’s the oldest disc golf course in Finland, established in 1983, and it has a truly unique atmosphere. The baskets are old and rusty, the course runs through rocky terrain with dry, weathered pine trees and beautiful views of the sea. It’s close to the city center, but feels like another world. The wind is almost always a factor, and every hole feels like it could be an ace run. Even though I no longer live in Helsinki, Meilahti still feels like home. I’ve played more rounds there than anywhere else, and every time my disc scrapes one of those rough rocks it leaves a mark, a memory etched into the plastic. It’s not just a course, it’s part of who I am.
Favorite item in your bag?
My favorite item in my bag is an old yellow Innova mini marker that my kids used to play with when they were little. It’s like they’re with me on every round. And while that marker carries memories, my favorite piece of gear I’ve actually created is something much more practical, a UV-charging pocket built into Nakata bags for glow discs. It’s been a game-changer for night rounds. No more fumbling with flashlights. Just drop your disc in the pocket, and it’s ready to shine. It’s a small thing, but I love when function meets creativity like that.
Shoutouts?
Shoutout to my brother Riku for getting me into this awesome sport in the first place. Big love to Milja the love of my life and my whole family for always being there. To my FGSMH crew, thanks for all the laughs, the weekly battles, and just being a bunch of disc golf-loving legends. Huge thanks to my friend Antti Verkasalo for capturing so many great moments on and off the course over the years and for all those nomad road trips we've shared. And last but definitely not least, big respect to my friend Andy Gumm, the unofficial U.S. disc golf ambassador in Finland, for believing in me and the idea of Nakata. Your support has meant a lot. And hey, I’ll be at the World Championships this year, so if you see Nakata out there, come say hi! I’d love to meet fellow disc golfers, share some stories, and show you what we’ve been working on. Big thanks to the Flying Plate crew for this interview, it’s been a real pleasure. See you out there!
Cover picture and pic1 by Antti Verkasalo
