ARTS • Shaping Boards & Lives

THE OSIDER JULY / AUGUST 2022

SHAPING BOARDS & LIVES THE DONALD TAKAYAMA EXHIBIT AT THE CALIFORNIA SURF MUSEUM

WORDS: KATIE LALICATA PHOTOS: RUSSELL SPENCER

If it’s even possible to encapsulate a legend in four words, the California Surf Museum has nailed it. Located here in Oceanside, their current exhibit “Shaping Boards and Lives” featuring the life and works of Donald Takayama perfectly presents and honors a man that did exactly that—shape boards and lives—and so much more. Not only did Donald impact the surfing world and generations of wave riders and their thoughts about shapes of boards and how to experience waves, he was also quite a figure in the local Oceanside community, as well. This exhibit is a beautiful collaboration and collection of photos, words, surfboards, and memories of Donald’s life. The museum committee, Takayama’s family, and members of the surf community worked together to create an exposition that truly honors and represents who Donald was to the world—a talented and masterful surfboard shaper who joyfully represented the Aloha spirit and the community and soul of surfing in its roots. Here you can take a walk through the life of Mr. Takayama— beginning with his early years in Hawaii. At a young age, Donald began shaping and surfing his own boards. This pure raw talent garnered the attention of Dale Velzy—a well-known balsa surfboard shaper of the time—and hence began a relationship. This was the catalyst to get young Donald off the island, and into the shaping bays of the thriving surf scene of Southern California. Traditionally known for shaping noseriders (a long board style), as the surfing world changed,

so did Donald’s shapes. He was a natural longboarder, but he flowed effortlessly into the shortboard revolution. Over the years, he was able to adapt and apply his wave and shaping knowledge to create innovative designs— all while adapting and tweaking his traditional shapes, too!

Although he came to the North Country area in the late 60s, his name was already solidified in the surfing world. Donald became a staple in the Oceanside scene in the 80s when he joined and help resurrect the Oceanside Longboard Surfing Club—and longboard surfing in general. From there, in addition to his surfing presence (and in true Hawaiian fashion), Takayama had a presence on the grill and hang out scene, too. In 1991, the surf museum landed in Oceanside (tucked right on the ocean above the pier) and the surfboard master/grill master himself become famous for showing up to events and parties with grill in hand and ready to share his love.

For seasoned surfers, Oside locals, and tourists from afar—this new exhibit solidifies the California Surf Museum as a must-see attraction in Oceanside. Not only does the museum exemplify the life and legend of Donald Takayama—the whole museum is loaded with a plethora of artifacts of surfing history.

Open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, the Shaping Boards & Lives exhibit is just one of the many impressive offerings carefully and thoughtfully curated by the museum committee, board members, and museum volunteers.

California Surf Museum 312 Pier View Way (760) 721-6876 surfmuseum.org @casurfmuseum

Top Notch Barber Shop 3126 San Luis Rey Rd. Oceanside Ca, 92058