Originally a longboard surfer, Takayama won the Master's division of the United States Surfing Champions in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
Velzy noted that none of the young surfers were attending school and told Takayama that if he ever got to the mainland, there would be a job waiting for him.
[2] Takayama bought a plane ticket to Los Angeles, at twelve years of age, with money saved from a newspaper delivery route.
[3] Takayama worked for Velzy/Jacobs Surfboards and lived in the loft of Dale Velzy's Venice, California surf shop.
"[1] According to Valerie J. Nelson of the Los Angeles Times, "Takayama-designed boards that once sold for as little as $100 have turned into sought-after collectibles that can go for $10,000 today.
[6] Takayama shaped at Surfboards Hawaii in the late 1960s, and founded Hawaiian Pro Designs in the late 1970s in Encinitas, California, Takayama was shaping some shorter surfboards in the 1960s and could be seen riding his 5'10" any day it was breaking at Stone Steps in Encinitas, California, along with 1984 Pipeline Masters champion and Hawaiian Pro Designs' featured surfer Joey Buran.
[7] As the shortboard era progressed, Takayama refocused on longboards, creating the David Nuuhiwa and Dale Dobson models.
Takayama commented to Los Angeles Times, "Some people dunk doughnuts in it, others put it on their hash browns and eggs.
Among collectable boards was a series of wood alaias designed by Takayama and built by Floridian Brandon Russell in Oceanside, California from 2008 to 2010.
Hawaiian Pro Designs currently has dealers and offices in California, Texas, Hawaii, Europe, Taiwan, Australia and Canada.
[9][10] According to Matt Warshaw, author of, The Encyclopedia of Surfing, writes that Takayama was, "...cited as the sport's original, and perhaps greatest, child phenomenon.
[19] Guest speakers attending the Oceanside, California memorial services included, Paul Strauch, Nat Young, Skip Frye, and Joel Tudor.