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Takuma USA
Takuma USA
Meet Ryan Arzy
Takuma, the brand that’s always stood out in the world of foiling, is thrilled to announce our latest collaboration and introduce you to our new USA representative. Someone who shares our passion for innovation, adventure, and the exhilaration of flying above the water, join us as we unveil the latest addition to the Takuma family.
Meet Ryan - Takuma USA
Ryan, a devoted foiling enthusiast and dedicated advocate for sustainable water sports, has joined us to become Takuma's representative for the USA. His journey through the world of surf, foil, and wind sports revolves around a love for the ocean and a commitment to share what's possible on the water with others.
Who is Ryan?
To understand why Ryan is the perfect fit for Takuma, here's a closer look at his background and achievements in the world of foiling.
1. Can you tell us a bit about your background and experience in the world of foiling and water sports?
As a first generation American, I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Living only few hours away from snow, I learned to snowboard in middle school and from there, built a deeper passion to pursue other board sports. After getting my driver’s license in high school and having the freedom to get around, I finally began my surfing journey. While SoCal can get great waves, most spots are crowded, inconsistent, and pretty lackluster a lot of the time. So, after hearing about the similarities between snowboarding and foiling and watching countless foil videos, I made the lifechanging investment to buy my first foil. While the beginner phase wasn’t easy, the learning curve was much faster than surfing since you spend a lot more time riding than waiting. It was an amazing feeling, like learning how to surf all over again, and just from going straight on 1-foot waves. One of the earliest things I realized is how much gear, knowledge, and technique would affect my progression. Since then, I’ve become obsessed with all disciplines of foiling and testing the highest performing gear, as well as sharing everything I’ve learned over the past three years through coaching and writing for Foiling Magazine.
2. What drew you to Takuma, and what excites you most about representing this brand and their foiling products?
When the Kujira series was first released it turned a lot of heads, including mine. I was drawn to Takuma’s open-minded approach to marine biomimicry as well as brand’s respect towards Japanese culture, style, and nature. After trying the Kujira 980 and 1210, I immediately noticed how surfy and controlled they felt compared to anything else I had tried before. It was the closest sensation to snowboarding I had ever felt on a foil. After reaching out to the Takuma in spring of 2023 and hearing that the Kujira II’s were on the way, I asked to come onboard and the rest was history.
3. Could you provide some highlights or key features of Takuma's foiling product range for those who may not be familiar with the brand?
In the vast and technically confusing world of foiling, one of my favorite things about Takuma’s product range is their ability to keep it simple and easy for everyone to understand. Takuma stands out as the one-stop shop for all things foiling, offering cleanly packaged, versatile kits like the affordable Helium series or original Kujiras. They have an ideal range of boards, wing sails, and even eProducts that cover every foiling discipline. Whether you’re in the market for the highest performance premium gear like the Kujira II’s and the near indestructible Morning Sun board, or seeking safe, user-friendly eFoils for friends and family, Takuma always has something for everyone.
4. What advice or recommendations do you have for clients who are new to foiling and considering Takuma products for the first time?
For anyone that’s new to foiling, the key to learning is to understand how a foil works and how to use your body weight to balance it. The easiest way to learn how a foil flies is on eFoil, especially through a lesson. If your goals are to wing, surf, downwind, tow, or even flatwater pump, you need to use the right gear for those conditions. Whether its choosing the foil, wing, or board, feel free to reach out to me or your local Takuma dealer for all the details you need to know for your first set up, the gear really makes all the difference.
Why Ryan is the Ideal Choice
Takuma has always been a brand driven by passion, innovation, and a deep connection to the water. Ryan embodies these values and brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table:
- Passion for Foiling: Ryan lives and breathes foiling. His enthusiasm for this exhilarating sport is evident in both his dedication to progression as well as his devotion to coaching others.
- Community Engagement: With a passionate commitment to be involved with the foiling community, Ryan understands the needs and desires of fellow riders. He will be a voice for all the feedback, observations, and excitement from the community to help Takuma develop products that go beyond expectations.
- Brand Dedication: Ryan is deeply committed to Takuma's mission and vision. Especially, to uphold and add the brand's reputation for quality, innovation, and support.
