Donald Takayama DT Egg: Thunderbolt Red & Black Guide

What is the DT Egg, and who is it for?

The DT Egg is designed for surfers who want glide and easier wave catching alongside a board they can turn. The Donald Takayama customer catalog describes two familiar reasons to choose it: moving down from a longboard for easier turning, or moving up from a shortboard for more waves on smaller days.

Thunderbolt describes a board that can make long, sweeping turns while still turning tightly near the breaking part of the wave. That combination is the appeal: room to relax, with response when you ask it to turn.

How does the shape balance glide and turning?

The Donald Takayama catalog describes a broad nose leading into a narrower tail. It connects that outline to holding a steady line higher on the wave while you stand near the middle of the board. That flowing ride is called trim.

Move your feet back toward the tail, and its description shifts to driving through a turn.

If riding on the nose is your main goal, discuss that with us before choosing a size. The DT Egg's published design descriptions focus on riding from the middle and tail.

What waves suit the DT Egg?

The Donald Takayama catalog describes the DT Egg for small surf through waves a little above head height. Wave height alone does not choose a board. Tell us how steep your usual waves are, how much push they have, and how comfortable you feel in them.

Is it a good step off a foam board?

The catalog includes beginners among the DT Egg's intended riders, as well as advanced surfers. If you are moving from a foam board, tell us its size and what you can do comfortably on it so we can help assess the fit.

As general sizing guidance, more volume can help with float and paddling, while length and width also affect stability. Either size still needs to suit the person learning to surf.

Should I choose the 7'0" or the 7'6"?

The larger size adds 9.2 liters of volume. Those liters measure the board's volume, which helps you compare float. Length, width, shape, and the person riding it also matter.

Both sizes are offered in Thunderbolt Red and Black.

As general guidance, lean toward the 7'6" if float and paddling ease are your priorities. It is a sensible starting point for a longboarder looking to go shorter. Consider the 7'0" if you want a more compact board and have enough paddling ability for its lower volume, especially when moving up from a shortboard.

Your weight, fitness, current board, and everyday waves can change that recommendation. Choose the size for the surfing you do most often.

What is the fin setup, and are fins included?

Thunderbolt lists a 2+1 fin setup on both DT Egg sizes: a center fin box and two smaller side-fin boxes. Fins are sold separately at Hawaiian South Shore. We can help you choose compatible fins for how you want the board to feel when it turns.

What is Thunderbolt construction?

Thunderbolt is the construction system used to build the DT Egg. Donald Takayama is the designer, DT Egg is the model, and Red or Black identifies the build. The core is EPS, or expanded polystyrene, a lightweight foam made from fused beads.

Yu Sumitomo, a surfboard designer and craftsman from Tokyo, created Thunderbolt Technologies. Its published team of master builders is based in Japan. The boards are built by hand using foam, reinforcing materials, and epoxy resin.

Controlled flex inside the board

Thunderbolt uses carbon fiber or fiberglass flex parts built inside instead of a central wooden stringer. A stringer is the strip of wood traditionally used down the middle of a surfboard for strength and stiffness.

Those internal parts help control flex, which is how the board bends, and twist. Thunderbolt says its flex patterns vary by model. They also influence rebound, meaning how quickly the board springs back after bending.

A protective shell and hand-applied outer layers

Thunderbolt Japan describes a thin protective foam shell around the core, called its core shield. It is intended to add strength while allowing the flex and twist designed into the board. The outer cloth and epoxy resin are applied by hand, a process called lamination.

Thunderbolt says boards are often vacuum-bagged during that process. Air is drawn from a sealed bag to press the layers together and help distribute resin evenly. Red and Black use different outer materials to produce different responses.

For more on the system, read our Thunderbolt construction guide.

Should I choose Thunderbolt Red or Black?

Choose by the response you want when you turn. Thunderbolt's descriptions explain how the two builds differ; our shop guidance below helps connect those differences to your surfing.

Thunderbolt Red: balanced response for a range of waves

Red uses fiberglass outer layers over the Thunderbolt core. The builder describes a medium rebound rate and a balanced, predictable feel across a wide variety of waves. That predictability is what we mean by a forgiving feel.

Thunderbolt Japan also describes Red as a little heavier than Black, helping it feel more settled in wind and choppy water. The Red options pictured above have a gloss finish. Red is the construction name, not the board's color.

Thunderbolt Black: lighter, with faster rebound

Black uses carbon fiber in its outer lamination. Thunderbolt describes it as its lightest construction with its fastest rebound, intended for speed, control, and responsive surfing. The DT Egg version has a gloss deck and matte bottom.

In our shop's construction guidance, Black feels stiffer than Red. Consider how much pressure you put through a turn and how quickly you want the board to respond as you release that pressure.

Choose enough length and volume for your body and paddling ability first. Construction changes the response; it does not replace the need for a suitable size.

How durable is it, and how do I fix a ding?

Thunderbolt builds for durability, but the DT Egg still needs protection from impacts and heat. The builder says carbon fiber enhances durability in Black construction.

Thunderbolt's care guidance applies to both builds:

• Keep it out of a hot car and prolonged direct sun. Use shade and a padded board cover when you are out of the water.
• Stop surfing if it cracks or gets a ding. Water can enter, add weight, and contribute to the outer layers separating from the foam. A larger crack can also create a weak point.
• Use epoxy resin and fiberglass for repairs, never polyester resin. Polyester can damage the EPS foam. Bring damage beyond a small surface scratch to us so we can point you toward the right repair option.
• Remove wax with a plastic comb. Thunderbolt advises against metal scrapers and harsh cleaning solvents.

Who was Donald Takayama?

Donald Takayama was a surfboard designer who learned to surf at Waikiki and founded Hawaiian Pro Designs. Read more about his life and work in our Donald Takayama guide.

Where can I buy the DT Egg in Hawaii?

Shop the Donald Takayama DT Egg through Hawaiian South Shore in Honolulu. You can browse the DT Egg collection or visit us at 320 Ward Avenue, Suite 111, Honolulu, HI 96814. Call (808) 597-9055 for help choosing.