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Surftech SurfboardsStrive SurfboardsFuture FinsRescue Boards |
 Takayama started surfing in Hawaii and worked for John Price and Surfboards Hawaii before he came to California in the middle 50s on a wing and a prayer. "Yeah you know I left Hawaii with a one-way ticket on one of those cattle planes, Trans Continental Airlines. Halfway over I go up and knock on the cockpit door and say, "Hey, Captain, we almost there yet or what, brah?' I showed up in LA when the only airport was at Burbank. I think I had $10 in my pocket. It was 1955 or 1956 or something like that. I have memory lapse now." Takayama also can't remember how many boards he has shaped over the years, only that he has been doing it almost non stop since the middle 50s. He opened Donald Takayama Hawaiian Pro Designs in Encinitas but there were too many people poking their heads in asking "What's up?" He moved it all to Oceanside and has been there ever since. He's been going non-stop for the last 35 years. He was one of the Re-founding Father who promoted the resurgence of longboarding in the early 90s. "I was working with Oxbow and Joel Tudor and Nat Young promoting the World Championships in France. Everyone came and it was enlightening to see everyone so excited. And from there it just kept escalating. I make boards for California but there are Takayama licenses in Australia and Japan and France. The demand is amazing. I had no idea surfing would be as large as it is today and as a manufacturer I know there is no way I or any of us can fulfill this market." Takayama is and always has been prolific and he now has 12 different designs for Surf Tech. "Speed shapes. Hybrids. Noseriders. SurfTech is making my boards from 7' 2" to 10'. There is a Stephen Slater model and a Jeff Hakman model and the Model T and a board he calls In the Pink, which is a 9'3" by 20" noserider. Takayama loves the Surf Tech system for a lot of reasons, but especially because they are hard to ding. "The boards are lightweight and very durable. You get what you pay for. The boards withstand a lot of abuse and they don't fall apart. The Surf Tech boards have longevity. They're like the family car." 
 9'0" - Noah Ka Oi Wood
N : 17 3/8 M : 22 T : 14 Th : 2 3/8 Centre : TAK 7 Side : FCS GX
Board Review
Noah Ka Oi Model - (Noah's the Best!) Noah Shimabukuro's first board model by Donald Takayama. Probably one of the most versatile boards in the DT/Surftech collection; handles well in anything from 2nd reef Pipe to 2ft Malibu.
Pulled in outline with beach break rocker for racier sections and late take offs. Great for tube rides, noserides, and performance surfing! More  9'0" - Slater Wood
N : 17 3/4 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/4 Th : 2 5/8 Centre : TAK 8.25" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
When Stephen Slater first began riding for Donald, they collaborated on a new, more progressive model that would compliment the way Stephen rides. Stephen needed a board that would allow for a full range of surfing, from nose riding to straight up snaps. The board was such a success that Donald added it to his "Most Wanted List".
The tri-fin, rounded pintail, mid-range overall width, and down turned rails appeal to those who want one board in their quiver that is capable of every manoeuvre and excels in waves of any size. More  9'2" DT-2 Wood
N : 18 M : 22 1/4 T : 14 1/2 Th : 2 15/16 Centre : TAK 8.25" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
This model was built with more focus on nose riding than the DT-1. The key word for this model, however, it is versatility. Drop in, draw a clean line off the bottom, set-up that high line, and take a walk on the Takayama side. Or, if you prefer, this board becomes a lightning quick turning machine.
Its rounded pintail and tri-fin set up is perfect for any turn you throw. This board excels in waves that range from ankle high to well overhead. More  9'2" DT-3 Wood
N : 17 1/8 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/4 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : TAK 8.25" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
With this diamond tail, tri-fin surfboard you will be able to speed through any section without losing speed, setting up for those tight whippy turns that get the heart beating and the adrenalin pumping.
This board is all about flowing from one turn to the next. More  9'3" - In the Pink Wood
N : 19 7/8 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/2 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : TAK 8.25" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
This board is the modern version of the NR-2. It has a 2+1 fin set up, a 60/40 rail and a harder edge towards the tail.
These features allow the boards turning and noseriding capabilities to really shine. More  9'6" - Model T Wood
N : 19 M : 22 7/8 T : 16 Th : 3 1/16 Centre : Tak 9" Side : N/A
Board Review
This design is the most well-rounded and versatile of Donald's classic retro line. With a broad, easily noserideable nose, and wide, surprisingly loose tail, this board is what every one of Donald's team riders has in their competitive quiver.
More  9'8" - Double Ender Wood
N : 18 1/8 M : 22 3/4 T : 15 Th : 3 1/8 Centre : Tak 10" Retro Side : N/A
Board Review
Donald pulled this design from his repertoire in the early 50's and 60's. It is a classic retro design, glassed with volan cloth so weight stays true to the era from which it originated. So called the "Double Ender" because both the nose and tail are pulled in for speedy, overhead sections.
Although this board can be ridden in any size wave, its full potential shines in waves that are overhead. More  10'2" - Noserider Wood
N : 18 3/4 M : 23 1/4 T : 14 7/8 Th : 3 1/8 Centre : Tak 9.5" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
The super sized version of the very popular 9'2" DT2, the 10'2" is also constructed for nose riding and trimming, blended with surprising turning capabilities; The Noserider has the characteristic Takayama blended concave and the narrow tail, which facilitate great noseriding and tighter turns than many boards this size.
More  11'0" Prince Kuhio Wood
N : 17 1/2 M : 24 1/4 T : 14 1/4 Th : 3 5/8 Centre : Tak 9.5" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
A favourite design DT has been creating for those big board enthusiasts. Not too big or bulky it's an 11ft board that you can actually surf! Walk the sidewalk up to the nose or glide like a bird for cross country surfing.
Great for Stand Up Paddle surfing too! More |
 
Randy Rarick Larry Gordon Bill Hamilton Rich Harbour Doug Haut Mark Johnson Steve Boehne Hap Jacobs Bob McTavish Mickey Muņoz David Nuuhiwa Robert August Randall French Donald Takayama Bob Bolen Dale Velzy Lauran & Reynolds Yater     |
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