photo: Joni Sternbach
Donald Moke Takayama
(November 16, 1943 – October 22, 2012)
Donald Takayama started surfing at age five in Waikiki, Hawaii. A few years later, Dale Velzy happened upon Donald at Makaha Beach and learning that he had shaped his own board, told Takayama that, “if he ever got to the mainland, there would be a job waiting for him”. At twelve years of age with money saved from a newspaper delivery route, Donald bought a plane ticket to Los Angeles and showed up on Velzy’s doorstep. Donald would go on to shape surfboards for over 55 years, he was a 5-time US Surfing Champion, and designed some of the most sought-after boards in the surfing world – boards that once sold for as little as $100 go for as much as $10,000 today. Donald along with World Longboard champion, Joel Tudor, would help re-popularize the traditional style of longboard surfing.
“Let’s say you are in a bad mood and you go out surfing, you catch one good wave and it makes your whole day – heck, it makes your whole week.” – Donald Takayama, LiguidSalt Magazine
Donald Takayama passed away on Oct. 22, 2012 due to complications following surgery. He was only 68.
The show will run from Oct 16-Nov 16 with a closing night celebration on Saturday, November 16 from 4-7pm (the eve of Donald’s Birthday). It will be a soft opening on Oct 16 (no event planned).
Admission for the event on Nov 16 is $5, FREE for SHACC members
SHACC
110 Calle Iglesia · San Clemente · 92672
