8' 6"Takayama In the Pink

When searching for reviews and videos of this board a few years ago, there was very little available. So I thought I'd post a video of Surfing the ITP. I have also included a written review of the board from a couple of years ago after riding it for a few months.

I have, and had, more traditional longboards (Model T's and Noosa 66 in the 9' 4"range plus 10 footers, 9' 6 etc) and my aim in purchasing the 8' 6" was to get a board as short and light as possible, yet still have good paddle on, be able to trim it down the line and walk to the nose. Basically surf it like a 9' 4" traditional board without having to deal with the length and weight of a glass board.
I am 62 and 5' 7" @ 70kg and would classify myself as very fit. Ok, with that out of the way, here we go.
You know how a board might go as soon as you first start to paddle out for the first time. It felt right from here and did not disappoint. I was really amazed at the ease and glide of paddling the board out the back. Being so light, I could get it on the plane very quickly. it was equally as good paddling on to a wave. I was not expecting it to paddle as it did. On a wave it took a few waves to adjust to the lightness of the board on a wave, being more attuned to Volan glassed PU boards. But after a few waves on that first session and sessions thereafter I quickly drew accustomed, and thankful, with the lighter weight.
Bottom turn and trimming the board was excellent but felt a tad unstable and too loose with the heavily raked 8.5 fin that I put in the board (remembering I'm not going for performance with this board which it is certainly capable of). After a few sessions a went for a Eveley 8.5 Hatchet fin. Just about the only hatchet fin or similar in that size I could find that I thought would suit the 8' 6 and the style of riding I wanted to achieve from the board. Well it did the trick for me. Great bottom turn and stable to walk but I am still refining walking to the nose as the board is way smaller than I'm used to but I certainly can see its potential (or more to the point, my limitations at this stage). The board trims beautifully and when I want the board to turn sharply, the performance tail really shows what it can do.
Overall I am stoked with the how the board goes and fulfils exactly what I wanted. Less length and weight really helps with positioning and handling the board, both when paddling and catching waves , but also when recovering the board in the white water (also, carrying it down the beach). The other reason for wanting lighter board and shorter length was on reducing the stress on my body/joints. It certainly has done that too. Those wanting to surf in a more high performance way will see even more benefits, especially setting it up as a 2 + 1.

I had the 9'6" and was one of my favourite boards. But stupidly moved it on. Does the new version surf the same as the last with only cosmetic changes?

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bigmc said..
I had the 9'6" and was one of my favourite boards. But stupidly moved it on. Does the new version surf the same as the last with only cosmetic changes?

Yes bigmac, they are identical except for colour. They added an 8' version to accompany the 8'6", 9', 9'3" and 9'6".

I've got a 10' ITP - but the 'Epoxy Flyer' construction, not Surftech (or PU, obviously).
Great board to surf, but construction is not ideal.
Took the board to the shin in the shorebreak one day - shattered the rail and barely left a bruise on me.

But back to the Surftech ITPs - anyone had their hands (or feet) on the Tuflite Pro construction?
I also note that the new ITPs come in a 9'10" in both constructions.

I've got the 2025 Prince Kuhio in Tuflite Pro construction, after having the previous model / construction. Very happy with it as I am with the new NFT construction on the Munoz and Lopez big boys.

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justaddwater said..

surfanimal said..
I've got the 2025 Prince Kuhio in Tuflite Pro construction, after having the previous model / construction. Very happy with it as I am with the new NFT construction on the Munoz and Lopez big boys.

Surf animal..that seat gets a bit of work in your board shots ????.curious about the difference in the Prince construction ,and how it feels/rides,is there any compression in the deck ( knee paddling?

Yeah - what JAW has asked!
I also want to know about the 10'6" Munoz in the NFT construction. I love my old original surftech 10'6", and can't see any reason to 'upgrade' to the NFT construction, but curious about the differences nonetheless.

I feel there's a few of us that are the 'red-headed step-children' of surfing, in that we appreciate Surftechs, and we should all sit down for a post-surf beer or eight.

I have seen the Lopez glider review on the real water sports website. They rate it and ride it in decent waves, without too much of a thread hijack could you please elaborate on what makes the Lopez glider the pinnacle? Thanks in advance

Is that the 10'6" Lopez glider?

looks like I've got another Surftech glider to aim for........

And SurfAnimal, can you talk more about how the Lopez surfs compared to the 10'6" Munoz?
From pics on the surftech site, it kinda looks like the Lopez has it's wide point about 2/3rds up the board where the Munoz is pretty much in the middle. Is this the case, and how does that translate in the water?

You were supposed to say something like "No, the Munoz is a better shape, I'm only enjoying the Lopez because it's new to me".
I'm clearly a huge fan of the Munoz, with the 9'3", 10'6", 11' and 12' in original construction, and another 11' in the recent construction - I can't now be adding the 10'6" Lopez to my wish list/quiver!

In my mind, I'm more of a 'back foot'/tail surfer. Maybe the Lopez is less good in this scenario? At least, that's what I need to be telling myself!