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WEB-MAIL
From: "Rutledge Young" <rutyoung@worldnet.att.net>
To: <editor@americanwindsurfer.com>
Subject: letter to American Windsurfer from Rutledge Young
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 21:17:13 -0500
Stop putting all of these pictures and articles by Sam (Moses) on the web. THEY ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY !!! How can I concentrate of practicing law and being attentive to mundane daily life when you wild windsurfers are having MILLENIUM PARTIES in Maui. STOP- Cancel my subscription.Send me back my tuition; the Vest , the T-shirt and all the pictures I took are being transported to sea and being dumped with an anchor tied around them.
 PS. Please send me a copy of the picture taken with the lovelies outside Jacques the night we were looking for Hollywood talent. That's all I really need to DRIVE ME TOTALY INSANE !!! Best Regards to all. Rutledge
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999
Your Name:Mats Nilsson
Your Email:matsmail@yahoo.com
Just read the web article by Sam Moses explaining why equipment represented by North Sports will not be tested in American Windsurfer.
As a marketing professional and obsessive windsurfer I ask myself if those guys really understand their own market. There is nothing, I repeat, nothing, that beats editorial space regarding your business and products. If you have any faith whatsoever in what you bring to the market (should not be a major problem for the people at North Sports), an opportunity like this must not be missed. 7000 USD - how much advertising does that buy?
Why do I, as a Swede, have comments regarding this? Because, as many fellow windsurfers, I like reading about my sport and, above all, enjoy them tests! And now not only the mag is available here, all the test materials are easily accessible on the web. Tests do have an impact on what is bought out there and does not have much to do with national borders anymore. If a certain board does get good ratings in your test and seems to suit my style of sailing, it certainly affects my buying decisions. Heck, I almost tried to get myself a North Shore Maui board, even though they are not available in Europe.
Which makes North Sports decision even stranger. How hard would it be to ask their partners (North, Mistral and Naish Sails) and dealers to sponsor the cost of freight? If I was the marketing man of, say, Mistral (hmmm, maybe a future position there...) I would not only be rolling in the aisles by now, I would be looping in my cubicle out of sheer anger.
And the suggestion that they are trying to kill the test market. First, I am having a real hard time to believe that and second, it would be utterly, utterly stupid.
"Hi Sam! How was your brand new board out there in these awesome conditions?"
"I don't know. They're all the same. And I will not let you try it, because there is no reason why. Testing new windsurfing gear is really boring and nobody is interested anyhow. Actually, from now on we will not write about anything that has any resemblance to testing in American Windsurfer. No more travelling destinations, no more technique tips or any competition. You see what the people in the articles are sailing, wonder if the gear is good and would enjoy knowing how it handles. And that involves testing. And testing costs money, since we are not able to get the gear for free anymore."
"Hmm, won't that make the mag a bit boring?" Do as you please with this, got a bit carried away in my writing... Thanks for a really nice mag with some of the best tests available!
/Mats Nilsson
Stockholm, Sweden
Subject: Great Coverage
From: Jeff Johnson <heffe@whitesalmon.net>
To: <editor@americanwindsurfer.com>
I've been virtually there -- on my computer that is. Between Bill Hansen's updates and your web site, I feel like I'm still on Maui.
The chill in the air and amazing fall colors quickly remind me that it is only a dream. But life in the Gorge has its moments and this fall has certainly been a memorable one. It began with beautiful Indian Summer weather then someone hit the switch -- snow in White Salmon. We're back to clear but cool days and the mountain is white with fresh snow. Best of all, back with my family.
Anyway, thinking of you all and hoping your having as much fun in the real deal as I am following your Millenium Test from home. Aloha, Jeff
Name:Duke Creedon
Email:jheikes@prairie.lakes.com
Your Input:Hey,
I remember reading Sam Moses articles about race cars-same high quality on boards! Good job Sam! I have sailed at kanaha and with your article I can relive my experience. Great Idea (the Dailies) helps all wind surferes stay close to the action. You know I want to see new sailors AND it still requires a huge commitment to learn . Hardly any way a around it. I did it I hope others will encourage beginners. Later Joe
Your Name:Phil
Your Email:PACataldo@AOL.Com
Your Input:Aloha to the American Windsurfing Test Team:
Please don't measure the boards after you have spent the whole day windsurfing, and please make sure the printer doesn't mess up the numbers. Another Windsurf magazine went to a lot of effort to provide accurate measurements of boards only to have a significent number of errors in their board review issue. As a consumer I use the board reviews to help me determine which will be my next board and it is very frustrating to find out all the statistics are wrong.
See you on the waves. Aloha Phil Cataldo
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 11:45:49 -0700
From: Alan Sandoval <info@thewaterplanet.com>
Subject: Equipment tests
Horray! Finally someone "gets" it! I just read your feelings on the validity of testing and I think it is right on.
A little about myself. I'm a former retailer (The Water Planet, in S Cal). My sports life has closely paralleled yours. When you rock-climbed, I rock-climbed. When you raced, I raced. (One incident of note was when I had a major crash with my friend Joe Rusz from R & T in a SSC race at Willow Springs.) And, after I began windsurfing in 1987 I soon gave up racing for the less stressful joy of sailing. I've read your writings for many years and when I heard you had joined American Windsurfer I wrote John a note complimenting him on his good judgement.
I was a windsurfing retailer for ten years. Each March all retailers wait in fear for the test issues to arrive. The pre-season purchases have already been made, stock is on the shelves. A less than glowing report can literally make stock unsellable. I tried to emphasize to my customers that I would see them at the beach frequently and if I sold them something that didn't work for them I'd have to live with that for a long time. I would ask, "when is the last time you saw Ken Winner at Seal Beach"?
One year Ken stated that a board that had done quite well in the previous year's test was junk and should be avoided at all costs. I had many happy customers riding that board. Well, after they read the new test they soon became unhappy customers who no longer trusted their own judgement.
I couldn't agree more that a board that works well at Sprecklesville might not be ideal elsewhere. The issues you raise are extremely valid and should have become public knowledge many years ago.
Selling windsurfing equipment is an uphill battle in the best of times. Thoughtful, well written tests will go a long way towards making life better for all involved with windsurfing. Although I'm no longer selling gear I seem to be more involved with the sport than ever. I have many friends in the sport and in the business, and I have become active in access and safety issues. You will do a lot to make the sport better for all of us.
Thank You!
Alan Sandoval
LNADE@aol.com
Mon, 11 Oct 1999 23:55:36 EDT
maui test site!
To: amwind@lr.net
The Maui Test articles are superlative! I really enjoyed reading the dispatch for today...made me feel as if I was there...!! (Wish I was, of course, but, hey...) Everything I've read and looked at has great flow! Laurie
DATE: 10/09/99
Name:Windsurf3
Email:Windsurf3@Hotmail.Com
Input:Aloha
Since the American Windsurfer Test 2000 Team arrived on Maui there have been lots of high cloud cover and flukey winds. I don't want to blame the American Windsurfer Team but there is a possibility that you have offended Mother Maui or Pele. Please make an offering so we can have our sun and wind back.
PS. No throwing virgins in the volcano.
Aloha Windsurf3
DATE: 10/09/99
Name:Kevin King
Email:kcking@flash.net
I subscribe to AW/S to read about the people and the spirit of windsurfing. So am I backsliding by writing you about a gear-techno question? Suspend judgement; here: In your V6 Issue 5 article on booms I can understand everything except the boom ends. I have a couple that use "external pin" adjustment type. I'm not sure that I could explain what that is. So, is it fair for me to ask you to follow up with a description or picture of "groove" and "spring pin" type adjustments? If you did I'd have a better feel for what's available. Worse, I wouldn't have to (ack!) ask a dumb question at my local shop. Phew, there, I asked it.
Thanks for continuing to publish about us, the people who talk windspeak.
If you ever want to know what it's been blowing at the spots on the Texas coast, there's a campy links page at http://www.flash.net/~fairf/index.html. Sample http://www.opsd.nos.noaa.gov/hgports/hgAllMET.html.
Peace.
DATE: 10/07/99
Name:Peter Fagan
Email:pfagan@lr.net
Each daily updates just keep getting better and better. I like the way that Sam talks to different people in the industry to find out right from the horse's mouth what's going on. Good job, once again , on the cutting edge. Have fun. Pete
DATE: 10/06/99
Name:Stephen Mulder
Email:smulder@tcsn.net
The online updates from Maui are a great idea!! How about a photo of all the crew? And an ID of the testers this week? Thanks, Sam for the ongoing storyline, and I'll see you all in two days--
Steve "Mega-dog" Mulder
Click here for photo of all the crew!
DATE: 10/06/99
Name:Windsurf3
Email:Windsurf3@Hotmail.Com
This is a question for the Test2000 team. Can you get the experts to talk about the relationship of board liters to sailer weight? We all know that when the wind is cranking grab the smallest board within reach, but as the wind lessens is their a formula to tell us which board will be best to ride. As example, for a 170 lb (77kg) sailor in 15 knot winds a 95 liter float board is optimum? Also, how has the new wider tailed boards like the Axxis 261 or 267 changed the formula? My assumption is that we all want to be on the smallest board possible, to maximize control, without being ankle deep in water in the lulls. I know this information maybe not interesting enough for readers of the magazine, but I hope you will include it in the online reports. Aloha Windsurf3
DATE: 10/06/99
Name:Arthur
Email:arthurdh@microsoft.com
Maui reports look great. Sam's reports are excellent. Read them all, beginning to end. How 'bout a page with "testers this week", showing bios and pics of the guest testers testing that week.
Also, some pictures of the bay/reef would be great. (so I can daydream until the 23rd).
Finally, weather/wind reports day by day in Sam's report would be cool. See ya soon Arthur
DATE: 10/06/99
Mother of Sergeant Loop
Email:eniteowl@aol
What can I say, as a mother I loved your article. You have my son down to a tee. Thank you also for letting me see his new "do".
DATE: 10/06/99
Name:jaime torres
Email:jaime@velauno.com
I've just read the first of your articles. You make reading fun. I appreciate your talent as a writer and look forward to checking out the rest of the site.
I want to comment on something you wrote and I quote
"But here's the bottom-line goal of our test. What I assure you has never been done before-as sailors we've all been victims, including me (maybe especially me)-is careful, caring guidance of the average sailor, so he or she doesn't buy the wrong board or sail for him or her, and end up frustrated or unhappy. That's one of the general things that's hurt the sport for so long."
IMHO this is the result not of improper testing, because proper testing and reporting will yeild this same result 50% of the time, but rather of many dealers that refuse to serve their customers the right way. I deeply respect what you are trying to achieve but it may be wise to make an important disclaimer.
Every sailor will have a unique experience with boards which no test can predict with reasonable accuracy. To that effect the demo program and a satisfaction guaranty on the part of the dealer is trully the only way to great consumer satisfaction and consumer loyalty.
Dealers like myself spend a lot of dollars on that demo equipment and we expect (hope) that the magazines will turn their reader onto supporting those dealers with the commitment, resources and drive to make their demo programs a reality for the consumer, the ultimate benefactor.
This is a great site. I will email a link to all 85 on my windsurf email list as my small token of support for your good work. All the best jaime
DATE: 10/06/99|
Name:Peter Fagan
Email:pfagan@lr.net
Hey, the web site looks good. I have been reading daily updates. They are great! Keep up the pictures of the woman by the pool. Now that is a classic Fuller photo. When the girls see his face, do they keep saying, "Tell a lie, tell a lie?" You know what they say about a man with a big nose. Keep up the daily reports, us people here in cold N.H.(and it is getting cold) are enjoying it. Isn't technology in the 90's great.
DATE: 10/05/99|
Name:James Hirshberg
Email:james@hirshbergdental.com
Enjoying your updates from Maui. I'm joining the test after attending a dental convention in Honolulu. I planned on arriving Sat night the 9th, but am so stoked I may blow off the meeting Sat afternoon catch an early plane to Maui. As you may remember I am bringing my 21 year old surfer son Matt. he'll have three days with us. he can waterstart, but really can't sail. Might be an interesting side-bar story, his progress or lack of same, he is the type of person that the windsurfing industry needs to grow. I'm interested in his using the newer wider boards. He has been sailing twice this summer on an old Seatrend 9'5 WorldCup. I'm hoping by the end of his three days he'll be hooked on wavesailing. he is bringing two surfboards...is there a decent break right there??? Don't have to respond immediately, I'll see you in Maui the 9th or 10th. Later...James
DATE: 10/05/99|
Name:Phil
Email:PACatado@AOL.Com
I can see by checking WWW.Windcam.Com that your testers are having a great time. Do you have a list of the boards you are testing? Are they next years models? Do you have any of the prototypes from the shops. I know Hawaiian Island has a wide body Naish 8'4" that looks interesting.
Aloha Phil
DATE: 10/04/99
Name:tester
Email:x@x.com
Yeah nice board on a stand in Maui, how about a photo of John Chao?
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