The Takayama Halo Fin - Balance between Control and Maneuverability

If you are a longboarder who loves to surf different types of waves and conditions, you might be interested in the Takayama Halo Fin, a unique and innovative fin design that blends old-school style with new school performance.

In this blog post, we will review the history, design, and benefits of the Takayama Halo Fin.

The History of the Takayama Halo Fin

The Takayama Halo Fin was designed by the legendary surfer and shaper Donald Takayama, who passed away in 2012. Takayama was born in Hawaii in 1943 and started surfing at Waikiki Beach when he was five years old. He moved to California when he was 12 and became one of the best surfers and shapers of his generation. He won several surfing titles and shaped thousands of boards for surfers of all levels and styles.

Donald Takayama was always experimenting and innovating with his shapes and designs, and one of his most famous creations was the Halo Fin. He came up with the idea in the late 1990s, when he wanted to create a fin that could turn a longboard from the center, rather than from the tail. He noticed that most longboard fins were either too stiff or too loose, and he wanted to find a balance between control and maneuverability.

He decided to cut out a circular section from the base of a traditional single fin, creating a halo-like shape. He then added two small side fins to increase stability and drive. The result was a fin that looked weird, but worked great. The Halo Fin allowed longboarders to surf faster, smoother, and more dynamically, without sacrificing stability or noseriding ability.

Donald Takayama patented his design in 2000 and started producing the Halo Finunder his own label, Hawaiian Pro Designs. The Halo Fin became one of the most popular and versatile longboard fins in the market, and it is still widely used by longboarders today.

The Design of the Takayama Halo Fin

The Takayama Halo Fin has a unique shape that sets it apart from other longboard fins. The main feature is the circular cutout at the base of the fin, which reduces drag and increases lift. This allows the board to glide faster and easier on the water, and to accelerate quickly.

The other feature is the two small side fins, which add stability and drive. They also help to control the release of water from the main fin, creating a smoother transition between turns. The side fins also act as stabilizers when noseriding, preventing the board from spinning out.

The Takayama Halo Fin has an upright template with a large surface area at the tip. This gives the board more pivot and responsiveness in turns, as well as more hold in steeper waves. The tip also helps to generate speed without much effort.

The Takayama Halo Fin comes in different sizes, ranging from 6.5" to 9", depending on your board size and preference. The Takayama Halo Fin can be used as a single fin or with side bites, depending on your preference and conditions.

The Benefits of the Takayama Halo Fin

The Takayama Halo Fin has many benefits that make it an ideal fin for longboarding. Some of the benefits are:

• It is fast: The Takayama Halo Fin reduces drag and increases lift, allowing the board to glide faster and easier on the water. It also helps to generate speed without much effort.

• It is stable: The Takayama Halo Fin adds stability and drive with its two small side fins. They also help to prevent spinning out when noseriding.

• It is maneuverable: The Takayama Halo Fin allows you to turn the board from the center, rather than from the tail. It also gives you more pivot and responsiveness with its upright template.

• It is versatile: The Takayama Halo Fin can handle different types of waves and conditions, from small to big, from mushy to hollow. It can also be used as a single fin or with side bites, depending on your preference and conditions.

Reviews of Takayama Halo Fin

• It is fun: The Takayama Halo Fin makes longboarding more fun and dynamic, allowing you to surf faster, smoother, and more creatively.

"The Halo fin is amazing. It makes the board so much faster and smoother. It also helps with noseriding and turning. I love it." - John S.

• "I have been using the Halo fin for a few months now and I am very impressed. It works great in different waves and conditions. It gives me more control and maneuverability than any other fin I have tried. It is a game changer." - Lisa M.

• "The Halo fin is the best thing that ever happened to my longboard. It is so versatile and fun. It allows me to surf faster, smoother, and more dynamically, without sacrificing stability or noseriding ability. It is a must-have for any longboarder." - Mike K.

• "I am in the middle of the board and I can make the turn!!" 

Watch more reviews here

How to Get Your Own Takayama Halo Fin

If you are interested in getting your own Takayama Halo Fin, you can order it online from Hawaiian South Shore, the exclusive dealer of Takayama Halo fins. Hawaiian South Shore is a family-owned business that has been serving the surfing community since 1996. Hawaiian South Shore offer free shipping within the US for Takayama Halo Fins.

You can also visit us in Honolulu. We will help you find the best Halo fins size for your needs and preferences. 

Visit our store in Honolulu and talk to our friendly and knowledgeable staff. They will help you find the best fin for your needs and preferences.

The Takayama Halo Fin is one of the most innovative and versatile longboard fins in the market. It is designed by one of the best surfers and shapers in history, and it offers a unique combination of speed, stability, maneuverability, and versatility. If you are looking for a fin that can elevate your longboarding performance and fun, you should definitely give the Takayama Halo Fin a try. You won't regret it!

SHOP HALO FIN NOW