The sport of Windsurfing remains close to my heart. I was one of the first on the east coast and the first in France. I had sail number 48 of the original windsurfers. I sailed the first world championships in Mission Bay, San Diego.
Category: windsurfing
PURITY AND SIMPLICITY
One of the things that first attracted me to windsurfing was the idea that it was the essence of sailing. Pure and simple. Obviously the the gear has evolved but it doesn’t take much to go have fun. Another aspect of this are the places people go to sail. In my youth the closest equivalent I can relate Is the movie ” the endless summer” about surfing around the world. It made us dream. Today Access is much easier. People do have more money. I had traveled to California for the first windsurfing world championship and thought I had really done something and been somewhere.
IT SURE LOOKS LIKE FUN
Much has been written and said about sailing no longer being fun. The reference is naturally referring to traditional competitive sailing as most of us know it. I feel the same way about the extremes in the optimist dinghy class, with coaches and “mommie boats”. Who is having a better time? Is this an answer?
COOL
Minds Wide Open Trailer from Andre Paskowski on Vimeo.
THE BEAUTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
This video showcases not only the joy of sailing but the true beauty of San Francisco and the bay. It also demonstrates the ability and imagination of the people who now have a new means of expression through simple and inexpensive video cameras.
IT’S ALL CONNECTED
Indeed, it is all connected. I must have met Hoyle and Diane at the Newport Boat Show, I am no longer certain of the date. The show was held on Goat Island. I bought sail number 48 shortly after that.
I ended up driving a Dragon from Miami to San Diego to prepare it for the 1972 Olympics. We spent almost every weekend with Hoyle and Diane in Pacific Palisades, driving from San Diego.
I returned a few times to visit, one of the last was the 1973 “World Championship” in Mission Bay, San Diego. the photos below are from that regatta.
Ted Schweitzer has created a blog retrospective of the early years, it is worth a visit. click on the link.
windsurfing
I had the first windsurfer on the East coast(sail #48) and won the first New England Championships, which qualified me for the world championship held on Mission Bay, San Diego,CA.(November 1972) I finished sixth, six points out of first, tight racing. As a consequence, I became friendly with Hoyle and Diane Schewitzer;having many wonderful adventures with them. Hoyle has been credited with inventing the sport and the board.
This is a photo of me winning the New England Sunfish Championships, unfortunately I do not remember the date.