Comparing Takayamas

[kookyboy]

We don't see a lot of Takayamas here on the Surfcoast, but I have a 9-6 stepdeck and just love it on the right day, therefore I'm wanting to extend my Takayama quiver.

For bigger days I am considering any of the following: ITP, LJ Richards, DT 2 or the Hakman 9-4.

Have any of you had any experience with these, especially in 4'+?

Cheers

ps flat here today but last weekend....!

[matt2000]

I have 2 ITP's, one light glass, the other regular. Both were teamrider's end-of-summer sale picked up at DT shop. I haven't tried the LJ Richards, or DT2. From what i was told, the ITP was Don's secret weapon that was designed before the DT2, back in 1994. Other than that, i like the ITP's well-rounded behavior in the 3-4' range. It naturally makes you want to noseride, kinda urging you forward on the deck, instinctively. This is what my 14 yr old son said the first time he tried it, not knowing what or who makes the board. He rode the Avisio carbon-fiber version in SanOnofre. Perhaps it's due to the balanced weight distribution of the board, or the way the rails seem to grap the water, etc. I don't know the technical reasons, but maybe the name says it all 'i felt like ... i'm ITP' when it hit the sweet spot.

Have you looked into the Noah, Kassia or Mike Stidham models? My impression is that if you identify your style with any of these teamriders, it's a fairly safe bet to get their model, since it's 'optimized' for that style.

Hope that helps, or deters you in your search. Good luck.