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 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." 
 7'2" - Egg
N : 16 1/4 M : 21 1/4 T : 14 3/4 Th : 2 3/8 Centre : US 8" TAK 4.5 Side : FCS M5
Board Review
If you're not quite ready to "rip and shred" on a short board, nor are you apt to "cruise" on a long board, then the Hawaiian Pro Designs Egg is the perfect solution. This model is an "eggy" looking shape that allows the rider to trim high on the wave in the middle of the board or race down the line on the tail, whichever the rider prefers. This board is also a perfect beginners board because of the overall forgiving shape that allows for a variety of mistakes without loss of speed or manoeuvrability.
For a beginner or advanced rider, this board is an extremely fun alternative on any day. More  7'6" - Egg
N : 16 1/8 M : 21 3/8 T : 14 3/4 Th : 2 9/16 Centre : US 8" TAK 4.5 Side : FCS M5
Board Review
If you're not quite ready to "rip and shred" on a short board, nor are you apt to "cruise" on a long board, then the Hawaiian Pro Designs Egg is the perfect solution. This model is an "eggy" looking shape that allows the rider to trim high on the wave in the middle of the board or race down the line on the tail, whichever the rider prefers. This board is also a perfect beginners board because of the overall forgiving shape that allows for a variety of mistakes without loss of speed or manoeuvrability.
For a beginner or advanced rider, this board is an extremely fun alternative on any day. More  7'10" - Egg
N : 16 1/8 M : 21 3/4 T : 14 5/8 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : US 8" TAK 4.75 Side : FSC M5
Board Review
If you're not quite ready to "rip and shred" on a short board, nor are you apt to "cruise" on a long board, then the Hawaiian Pro Designs Egg is the perfect solution. This model is an "eggy" looking shape that allows the rider to trim high on the wave in the middle of the board or race down the line on the tail, whichever the rider prefers. This board is also a perfect beginners board because of the overall forgiving shape that allows for a variety of mistakes without loss of speed or manoeuvrability.
For a beginner or advanced rider, this board is an extremely fun alternative on any day. More  8'6" - Slater
N : 18 M : 22 1/4 T : 14 1/2 Th : 2 9/16 Centre : Tak 8.25" Side : FCS GX GF
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  8'6'' Linda Benson
N : 18 M : 22 1/4 T : 14 1/2 Th : 2 9/16 Centre : Tak 8.25" Side : FCS GX GF
Board Review
The Linda Benson Signature model by Donald Takayama, World Champion, 5 time US Champion, and International Surfing Hall of Fame inductee. A mini longboard for a more feminine approach to riding waves, thinner rails with a little more pulled in dimensions.
Perfect for performance surfing or noseriding like a champion. More  9'0" - Hakman
N : 17 3/4 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/4 Th : 2 5/8 Centre : Tak 7" Side : FCS GX GF
Board Review
The Jeff Hakman Model was produced to withstand any wave size and any manoeuvre the rider wishes to perform. The difference here can be seen in how Jeff likes to turn.
Hard, rail buried ans speedy. The tail instead of being rounded pin, is a squash tail so that the rider can utilize abrupt changes of direction without losing any speed. More  9'0" - In the Pink
N : 19 7/8 M : 23 T : 14 3/8 Th : 3 Centre : Tak 8.5" 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  9'0" - Noah Ka Oi
N : 17 3/8 M : 22 T : 14 Th : 2 3/8 Centre : Tak 7" Side : FCS GX GF
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" - Noah Ka Oi Comp
N : 17 3/8 M : 22 T : 14 Th : 2 3/8 Centre : Tak 7" Side : FCS GX GF
Board Review
A board DT has been making for Noah Shimabukuro the last few years to use in contests. Wide nose for stable tip time and pulled in square tail for performance surfing, extra rocker in the nose and tail, this board was designed to excel in a variety of conditions.
Jennifer Smith recently won the 2007 Women's World Championships on it! More  9'0" - Slater
N : 17 3/4 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/4 Th : 2 5/8 Centre : Tak 8.25" Side : FCS GX GF
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  9'0" Kai Sallas
N : 17 1/4 M : 22 1/4 T : 14 3/8 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : Tak 8" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
The outline of this round tail board was designed very similar to the DT-3. The round tail allows this board to make fast snappy turns while holding in on steep sections.
The Kai Sallas gives way to smooth turning ability, as with most of Donald's boards. More  9'1" Kai Sallas
N : 17 3/4 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 Th : 2 3/4 Centre : Tak 7" Side : FCS GX
Board Review
The outline of this round tail board was designed very similar to the DT-3. The round tail allows this board to make fast snappy turns while holding in on steep sections.
The Kai Sallas gives way to smooth turning ability, as with most of Donald's boards. More  9'2" - DT-3
N : 17 1/8 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/4 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : Tak 8.25" Side : FCS GX GF
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  9'2" - LJ Richards
N : 18 3/4 M : 23 T : 15 3/16 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : LJ 9" Side : FCS GX GF
Board Review
This is Donald and LJ Richards collaboration on a versatile noseriding board. The diamond tail with a 2+1 fin set-up allows this board to pivot more from the tail.
The boards outline is very similar to the DT-2. The difference is that this board is more stable at the nose and is easier to turn. More  9'2" DT-2
N : 18 M : 22 1/4 T : 14 1/2 Th : 2 15/16 Centre : Tak 8.25" Side : FCS GX GF
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  9'3" - In the Pink
N : 19 7/8 M : 22 3/8 T : 14 1/4 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : Tak 8.5" Side : FCS GX GF
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  9'4" - Hakman
N : 18 M : 22 5/8 T : 14 3/8 Th : 2 7/8 Centre : Tak 8.25" Side : FCS GX GF
Board Review
The Jeff Hakman Model was produced to withstand any wave size and any manoeuvre the rider wishes to perform. The difference here can be seen in how Jeff likes to turn.
Hard, rail buried ans speedy. The tail instead of being rounded pin, is a squash tail so that the rider can utilize abrupt changes of direction without losing any speed. More 9'6" - In the Pink
N : 20 3/8 M : 23 3/4 T : 14 1/2 Th : 3 1/4 Centre : Tak 9" 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
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
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
N : 18 3/4 M : 23 1/4 T : 14 7/8 Th : 3 1/8 Centre : Tak 9.5" Side : FCS GX GF
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.
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Bob Pearson Randy Rarick Phil Becker Bill Tolhurst Dick Brewer Phil Byrne Al Merrick Tony Channin Larry Gordon Bill Hamilton Rich Harbour Doug Haut Mark Johnson Steve Boehne Hap Jacobs Joel Tudor Johnny Rice Bob McTavish Mickey Muņoz Michio Degawa David Nuuhiwa Tim Patterson Robert August Roxy Skeg Island Surf Diva Randall French Donald Takayama Bob Bolen Glenn Pang Dale Velzy Lauran & Reynolds Yater     |
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