I came across this thread today after searching for +Takayama "In the Pink" paddle issues after I just bought a new ITP Soft top which is 9'0" x 22.9" x 3" and 70.1L and discovered I am not alone in experiencing serious paddle issues with the Takayama ITP 9'0 soft top.
surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=34068&p=241141#p241141

Anyway I surfed it today for the first time in average, blown out conditions with a few 3-4ft peaks that others were catching on many different length and types of boards, especially other Mal's and yet I couldn't catch a single wave on it so after 90mins I came in very frustrated. I normally ride a Sic Swindler 9'0 which is my go to board for nearly all type of waves, but I got this ITP cheaply after trading a couple of old boards for it so I gave it a try.

I am 95Kg and 6ft and an experienced surfer of 30 years with good fitness and no health issues and surf almost daily.

Apart from how ridiculously heavy it is for a soft top, it is an absolute dog to paddle compared to any other board I have ridden, so I agree 100% with the others about why they have found this board difficult to paddle and catch waves on.

Would love to hear any others feedback.

PS: It's getting advertised for sale this week if anyone wants it.

I owned a custom ITP and it paddled like a dream with the correct volume for my weight. I find heavy boards need a lot of effort to get them going while padding in. 70 litres could be your issue with this board. Light weights wouldn't have a problem but us heavy guy do. Good luck with the sale.

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cliffbarnes said..
I came across this thread today after searching for +Takayama "In the Pink" paddle issues after I just bought a new ITP Soft top which is 9'0" x 22.9" x 3" and 70.1L and discovered I am not alone in experiencing serious paddle issues with the Takayama ITP 9'0 soft top.
surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=34068&p=241141#p241141

Anyway I surfed it today for the first time in average, blown out conditions with a few 3-4ft peaks that others were catching on many different length and types of boards, especially other Mal's and yet I couldn't catch a single wave on it so after 90mins I came in very frustrated. I normally ride a Sic Swindler 9'0 which is my go to board for nearly all type of waves, but I got this ITP cheaply after trading a couple of old boards for it so I gave it a try.

I am 95Kg and 6ft and an experienced surfer of 30 years with good fitness and no health issues and surf almost daily.

Apart from how ridiculously heavy it is for a soft top, it is an absolute dog to paddle compared to any other board I have ridden, so I agree 100% with the others about why they have found this board difficult to paddle and catch waves on.

Would love to hear any others feedback.

PS: It's getting advertised for sale this week if anyone wants it.

Hi mate, I have this board in my quiver and find it a cracker of a board in every aspect. I have also owned a tuflite ITP 9.3 (or .4) and the soft top is in my experience way more forgiving and doesn't seem to surf as flat and is less likely to bury the nose.
I'm 77kg and 6'1 and when paddling it my toes are on the leash string, which let's me know I'm well centred, and means way less likelihood of burying the nose on takeoff. The other thing I love is that I have slightly protruding ribs on one side due to a sup breaking a couple of them years ago and the soft deck is way better for comfort on my broken old carcass.