Masuda, Takuji (1971 – )

Well-connected longboarder, publisher, and film director, originally from Kamakura, Japan. Masuda was born (1971) in Yokohama, the son of a wealthy commercial real estate developer. He began surfing at age 13, at Kamakura, just south of Tokyo, with classmate and future North Shore big-wave standout Takayuki Wakita.

At 12, Masuda moved to Vancouver Island, Canada, to attend boarding school. While playing rugby at age 16, he broke his neck; told by doctors to avoid contact sports, Masuda focus...