Actual Letters from Volume 5 Issue 2
Gratitude Expressed
Just a quick note to say THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! For the first time in my 28 years, I read an article, Origins of Windsurfing, about my father that truly captured his facts, creative spirit and pleasantly eccentric nature. (I also enjoyed how you very accurately portrayed Mom, her role and vantage point.) It is my regret that I didn't have the opportunity to meet with you when you were in Jacksonville. (Unfortunately, my work takes me away from home more that preferred.) Mom and Dad spoke (and speak) sooo highly of you; it was wonderful to see the kindness you showed to them in the dedication of such an extensive article.
I've always been proud of my folks. Dad has never been a terribly strong businessman, but he's one of the smartest and most honest people I know...and that's better than being street smart. So, I personally thank you for looking beyond the economic/political issues flying all around the history of windsurfing, and listening to Mom and Dad. They've been there for many years (with evidence and proof overflowing), just waiting and hoping for someone caring enough to research and publish the truth. It's just extra lucky that person happened to be as talented as you! (The pictures of them are perfect - exactly how they really are!) Dad has loved the sport since it's inception - through all of my life. It is truly emotional for me to see the sport show him some of that caring back. You have many friends in Jacksonville, Florida, and Pennsylvania, too, that you probably don't even know. Thank you again!
W. Darby Brown. Jacksonville, FL
The Darby Files
Many thanks for running the features on Newman and Naomi. In the absence of a windsurfing museum, this becomes all the more important. The Darby files represent a major part of the history of our sport, yet Newman gets so little recognition. To my knowledge, the last significant article covering Darby was the Nautical Quarterly in 1982.
By now, you realize that this man has been sitting on a gold mine of information. Yet, this was precariously close to being lost and forgotten. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for following up on this. Your article was well done.
Chad Lyons Branford, CT
Sung Praises
Some really great stuff being written in the magazine, especially about the coming of the Aquarian Age. Windsurfing as a metaphor or a church has changed my life completely. My first time out at Leo last spring, I was in a pod of whales. Another time, a couple miles out at the same beach, I started remembering all the lyrics to several church hymns that I haven't sung since childhood. I was out there in the waves, singing at the top of my lungs, not to praise the God of the Bible, but to add to and support the power that held me up out there, and that had sent me the songs of love. You finish a day of sailing like that and your bones don't stop vibrating goodness for months. I'm still in awe and wonder about that day, and how it happened. I can't think of the lyrics even now, but I remember feeling, with an open chest and a heart pumping deep, like it vibrated from the depths of the ocean.
I also think of the burning need that windsurfers have to share this sport with others. Where does that come from? We don't have any pastors out there yelling at us from the pulpit telling us to look for more converts. We just have our heart saying. "Others must know."
I want to go to Italy and take windsurfing lessons from Annabella Hofmann. I want to study yoga with Mike Gebhardt. And I want to see to it that all pros at all pro events spend hours between races teaching windsurfing on easily sailable gear. I want that lawyer who wrote the last article about how windsurfing changed his life to contact the Darbys and get them some percentage of every board and rig sold. The Darbys aren't warriors, and they need one. Most of all, I want John Chao to continue exploring his thoughts about the evolution of this sport at the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Peace
Brian Thompson Los Angeles, CA
Dear Naomi & Newman
I just finished reading your article in American Windsurfer and I am very touched. It almost brought me to tears to think you two could have been mistreated so badly by the whole windsurfing community. I am so glad you both have finally been acknowledged. I want to thank you for inventing such a great sport. My life wouldn't be complete without it. I tried sailboarding in 1978 in Canada and in 1984 met my husband while windsurfing in Hood River, Oregon. We own and operate a sailboarding business, Windance, in the Gorge. It's way more than a sport for me and my family, it's a life style. It makes total sense to me that you two are the true parents of this great sport. You both seem to have the attitude that suits this free spirited sport. I think all the legal and financial sharks have robbed this sport of some of it's true spirit. I would love to see you two travel to Hood River, Oregon, to see what you have helped create. This town in the last 13 years had been attracting fun healthy free-spirited individuals that have created a life around sailboarding. I know we can't turn back the clocks but better late than never. Thanks again,
Sincerely Lorraine Carlstrom Windance Hood River, OR
P.S. I would love to try your original sailboard. It looks like fun. How do I order a video tape of the original sailboard?
Newman Darby replied to this letter by sending her a tape which prompted a phone conversation and eventually a visit to Hood River by the inventor. An evening gathering was organized by Brian and Lorraine Carlstrom of Windance on August 20, 1997. The 300 plus crowd gave the first public acknowledgement to Newman Darby's contribution to the sport some 30 years ago. The Hood River News published a full page article entitled Father of a Sport (upper left) while a lucky few collected autographs from the astounded inventor. ED
Disputed Intentions
I cannot disagree with apparent documented history, but I can disagree with the intended approach to the sport in the article (Origins of Windsurfing Naomi & Newman Darby). The bottom line is that we would not be sailing on 'sailboards' right now, if Darby was the 'sole' inventor of the sport. Windsurfing was used interchangeably with Sailboard as if the word was invented at the same time. It was not. A gentleman that helped advance the sport stopped Hoyle Schweitzer and Jim Drake while they were sailing in Pacific Palisades (I believe) and excitedly came over and called them "Windsurfers". The man's name was Burt Salisbury, from Seattle, WA. That was in the early '70's, well after Darby got published in '65. So in reality, you cannot refer to Darby's invention as a windsurfer, since even in the generic sense, the word had not been invented yet. But it was a sailboard. The main reason the sport took off with Jim & Hoyle's invention, was because it was a better design. The surf board shape is a much more hydro-dynamic shape than a plank or a board (which is what Darby's was, even though it worked to a degree).
The Sailing Rig and Universal was far more practical, sturdier and reliable for a greater range of winds, in my opinion (although I have not sailed a Darby Rig). So much so, that we use, even today, the basic design (with refinements) that Jim created, and not the Darby Rig design. Other basic tenants that are still used today but not present on the Darby Sailboard are: the fin, the centerboard and the wishbone shaped booms. All of these 'inventions' are what make up not only a modern sailboard, but truly a windsurfer.
I'll leave the rest of the reasons why to others. They are already known to me. Enjoy! Windsurfing since the '70's.
Scott Carter, US-LA2 LA2WNDSRF@aol.com
Our intentions is not to take thunder away from anyone. "We would not be sailing on sailboards right now...' if it wasn't for Drake and Schweitzer, is a sentiment share by all of us and possibly by Darby as well. However, a well deserved acknowledgement to Darby is necessary. To be accurate, one shouldn't describe his board as a "plank." Darby's board was fashioned after the scow, which at the time, was the fastest hull on the water. You should also note that the windsurfing universal was first put into use by Darby and Jim Drake described himself not as the inventor but as the "re-inventor" of the universal. ED
Irresponsible Journalism
Note: The following letter was sent to Andy Church, MistralÍs National Sales Manager & then forwarded to American Windsurfer. ED.
I just finished reading the "Warranty Woes" letter from Nicholas Renny published in the latest American Windsurfer. This irresponsible act of journalism is just what the windsurfing industry doesn't need. What is surprising is that it came from American Windsurfer, a magazine that touts itself as an ambassador to the sport. I believe this could cost Mistral over 100 sales in New England alone. In fact, I lost a deal on the new 295 Explosion last night, because my customer took the letter for the gospel truth.
As we all know, warranty is a very delicate and difficult situation. Over the years, Mistral has built a deserved reputation for unparalleled craftsmanship. I am willing to wager that it's warranty return rates are the lowest in the industry. In fact, the boards are so strong on the deck that it is possible to catapult and crash the boom into the deck with no visible damage, but the bottom buckles. Who's fault is that?
The point of this letter is not to dispute the warranty claim. The point is that Mistral, it's dealers and the industry as a whole must do everything in our power to promote the image of windsurfing. As one of the premier magazines in the industry, American Windsurfer must take extra care in what it prints. Consumers believe everything they read in the magazines, whether they are true or not. If it were my decision to make, I would end my advertising relationship with American Windsurfer. Lastly, where is Mr. Renny from? I just sold an Explosion 288 to a Mr. Renny from Boston. Are they the same person?
Dave
shop name withheld
Seabrook, NH
We're happy to report that Mistral is a much bigger company than you give credit to. For that matter so is this sport and the many "consumers" who read this magazine. ED
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