Epic Japanese surf magazine, NALU Comes to Oceanside

One of the most beautiful surf magazines in the world, at least of the one’s that I am aware of is NALU. I can only comment on photos and layout because I don’t read Japanese but I know I really dig the mag, I’ll guess it’s probably something like the Surfer’s Journal of Japan.

So I guess my point is, this very prestigious surf magazine from Japan, NALU, came to Oceanside to do a story on the “mini” long board craze. Enlisting the services of local expert from Chigasaki, Shige Koike, the crew was treated to extremely fun surf off Oceanside Blvd one chilly Saturday morning. To name a few of the surfers on hand; Ian Gibson, Mike Stidham, Noah Shimabukuro, Brendan White and Brent Russell had the opportunity to ride a slew of different shapes being offered up from the Donald Takayama quiver. Donald and a crew of cronies sat on “the bench” and surveyed the situation. Donald makes great boards so the riding was fun nomatter which craft you chose to ride. I took some photos of the guys and gals coming and going as they were getting some great lefts and a few rights. I personally Love the “Mini Long Board”. I have an amazing 8’6” diamond tail by Kevin Sullivant, a very little known glasser/shaper from Encinitas. The Kookbox “Diamond Tail Mini” is quite the superior watercraft as well. Some of the guys were riding boards in the 9 foot range but they did switch around to the shorter boards. I guess from most of the photos you can tell most of them kinda want to stick to 9+.