Donald Takayama In The Pink: Thunderbolt Red vs Black

Why is the In The Pink so popular?

Donald's own company and Thunderbolt describe it as the favorite among his designs. The appeal starts with a shape that helps a longboarder become more comfortable at the nose, with enough performance to keep an experienced noserider interested.

The nose and middle stay wide, giving you a stable area to move forward onto. The front has a relatively flat rocker, meaning less upward curve along the board's length, which helps it enter waves early and carry speed through softer sections.

For the person behind the shape, read our guide to Donald Takayama.

What waves and riders suit it?

We recommend it for a longboarder who already catches waves and steers confidently, and wants to develop their noseriding. Look for softer waves that open gradually, giving you time to settle into the ride and move your feet.

That includes small surf, but the design's range is broader: Takayama's description includes waves above head height.

The distinction is how the wave breaks. Reports on earlier builds caution that the nose can dig under on steep, late takeoffs. A clean, open wave and a last-second drop into a steep face ask different things of a noserider.

What do riders say, including about paddling?

Feedback on earlier builds of the In The Pink repeatedly praises its stability at the nose; paddling reports are more mixed. Those accounts describe the model in other constructions, so they are useful design context rather than tests of Thunderbolt Red or Black.

One reviewer rode a previous construction at Ala Moana and Diamond Head, finding it stable when moving forward and easy to turn. That review also praised its paddling.

A different owner reported missing waves when the water was unsettled and finding wave catching difficult. The contrast matters: a reputation for noseriding does not mean effortless paddling for every surfer. Your usual waves and the board you are coming from belong in the sizing conversation.

What is Thunderbolt construction, and what does it add?

Thunderbolt builds flex control into the board from the inside. The company identifies Tokyo's Yu Sumitomo as its head designer.

The build starts with a lightweight EPS foam core and epoxy resin. Instead of a central wooden reinforcing strip, it uses internal carbon or fiberglass components, its AVT flex system. Reinforcing cloth and resin are applied by hand around that core.

This model's flex is tuned to meet requirements set by the Takayama team. The catalog credits the construction with reduced weight, a livelier response and added durability compared with traditional construction. Those benefits still come with normal board care; they are not a guarantee against dents or breakage.

Should you choose Thunderbolt Red or Black?

We recommend Red for varied everyday surf, and Black for a rider who wants a more immediate response through turns. Rebound describes how the board returns to shape after pressure bends it. Thunderbolt's descriptions explain the difference:

Think about the pressure you put through a turn. If you lean firmly into the board and want it to spring back as you release that pressure, Black is the option we'd discuss, including for a heavier rider with that approach. If you prefer a less rapid response across changing conditions, Red is our starting point.

Black's carbon reinforcement is part of a flexing design, so it should not be confused with a board designed to stay rigid. For a fuller explanation of the materials, see our Thunderbolt construction guide.

What sizes are available, and which should you choose?

Use these dimensions as a starting point, then compare them with the board you ride. Both Red and Black are offered in the lengths below. Volume is the amount of space inside the board, measured in liters; it helps describe flotation but does not decide fit on its own.

The longer options add volume as well as length. That is useful information, but it does not tell us how each size will fit your paddling, experience or usual waves.

Which fin setups work on this board?

The 2+1 FCS setup gives you a center fin box and two smaller side-fin positions. A single center fin suits smooth travel along the wave and longer, flowing turns. With a suitable center fin, adding the side fins can support tighter turns and help carry speed through them.

The arrangement and the fins you choose work together. We can help match both to how you want to ride.

How do you repair a ding in a Thunderbolt board?

Use epoxy repair materials, never polyester resin, on this EPS/epoxy board. Polyester resin can damage the foam core.

Let the board dry fully before an epoxy repair. For damage deeper than a surface scratch, bring it to us or send a clear photo so we can help you decide what repair it needs.