by The Editors on November 10, 2012
The Junior Seau Amphitheater at the Oceanside Pier in California was packed Saturday morning, November 10, 2012 as the surf world gathered to remember legendary surfer and surfboard shaper Donald Takayama.
Under sunny skies and buffeted by a strong north wind, music was played, surf legends talked story, and people shared their stories. Members of the Takayama family spoke, two-time ASP World Longboard Champion and Hawaiian Pro Designs team rider Joel Tudor spoke, but it was two-time world surfing champion Nat Young (right) who wrapped things up.
“Donald Takayama was welcome always every where around the world because all he did was just give,” said Young, becoming emotional. “And I tell you, over the years I’ve head a lot of people talk about aloha spirit. And not a lot of people live by that code, but Donald was it. You know. And he’s always treated everybody the same because he had respect for everybody. And he believed that surfers were like a true brotherhood and we talked about this many times, you know. I just hope that infectious DT character and his whole spirit filters down to the young ones who carry on this activity.”
After a short break close to 200 surfers paddled out to give Takayama the classic surfer’s send off. Follow the jump for more photos from the day. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 7, 2012
The surfing community will gather at the Oceanside, California Pier on Saturday, November 10 to remember the life of legendary surfer and shaper Donald Takayama who died on Monday, October 22, 2012 at the age of 68.
. . . the Hawaiian born surfing legend and master surfboard shaper/designer that moved to California in the 1960s and became one of the world’s most celebrated surfboard builders. . . This memorial service is open to the public and will have a host of legendary surfers and speakers to share stories about Donald the surfer, the shaper, and friend of the surfing community.
The memorial begins at 9:30 AM on Saturday November 10, 2012 at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater. Speakers will include Joel Tudor, Nat Young, Paul Strauch, Linda Benson, Skip Frye, Cori Schumacher, members of the Takayama family, as well as Devon Howard, Jeanette Schumacher and Brendan White on behalf of Hawaiian Pro Designs. For all the info, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 24, 2012
Master surfboard shaper Donald Takayama has died on Monday, October 22, 2012, according to a story on Surfline.com. He was 68.
Hailing from Waikiki but raised in Honolulu, Takayama placed 2nd to Corky Carroll in the 1966 and 1967 U.S. Surfboard Championships and enjoyed other competitive accolades, however, his main contributions to the sport and culture occurred in the board building realm . . . Takayama founded Hawaiian Pro Designs, where he shaped for budding World Tour professional and eventual Pipeline Master Joey Buran. By the mid ’80s, with labels popping up everywhere and boards getting shorter and weirder, Takayama responded by producing longboards almost exclusively, two of the most popular being signature models for David Nuuhiwa and Dale Dobson.
Our thoughts are with Takayama’s family and friends and we’re honored to have one of his longboards in our quiver. Thanks, Donald.
[Link: Surfline]
“Donald Takayama was welcome always every where around the world because all he did was just give,” said Young, becoming emotional. “And I tell you, over the years I’ve head a lot of people talk about aloha spirit. And not a lot of people live by that code, but Donald was it. You know. And he’s always treated everybody the same because he had respect for everybody. And he believed that surfers were like a true brotherhood and we talked about this many times, you know. I just hope that infectious DT character and his whole spirit filters down to the young ones who carry on this activity.”
