Interviews

Sean Ordonez:

By Will Harper

His name is not exactly a household word, even in the windsurfing world. Though his work has been seen and appreciated by thousands

Interviews

Destiny’s Doc

By John Chao

It was in the middle of winter and Hood River had just been blanketed by four feet of snow when the offer came again to go on a Caribbean cruise. The offer had been standing for three years but never accepted till now.

Interviews

A Dance with the Dangler

By John Chao

Rumor has it that he is dangerous on the water. Rumor has it that he targets women with his intimidating style and vociferous curses. Rumors are that he enjoys sailing straight at people, forcing other sailors to take evasive action, or turning at the last minute.

Interviews

WingMaker

By John Chao

He has always been an enigma. Not many people in the industry can say they really know Bill Hansen. The reason might be that Bill Hansen doesn’t really care what people think about Bill Hansen.

Interviews

Wojtek Brzozowski POL10

By John Chao

Out of nowhere WOJTEK BRZOZOWSKI has come out of Poland and dominated the new Formula Racing Class. His wins seem effortless and often by long distances from the fleet which are now quite populated with PWA racers.

Interviews

Dorota Staszewska

By John Chao

It may be surprising that both the male and female world champion Formula racers come from Poland. But once you meet DOROTA STASZEWSKA and realize that beneath her petite exterior, there is a determined competitor—

Interviews

Jimmy Diaz VI-11

By John Chao

One racer that has made the distinction as the most improved sailor on the PWA tour is Jimmy Diaz. ThoUgh his achievements have been AT times overshadowed by other americans rabbits in the professional circuit, Diaz has come of age.

Interviews

Micah Buzianis US-34

By John Chao

The accolades and rewards that came his way were all prizes he fought hard to gain. These were simple things that he raced to earn. But winning a sportsmanship award, caught the mild-mannered giant from Utah off-guard.

Interviews

Jennifer Gately Henderson

By John Chao

On Maui, the world's best windsurfers claim their moves and dictate standards which all other wave warriors will follow. Among this elite group of Top Gun sailors one woman has earned their respect and is crowned their reigning Queen.

Interviews

Dancing with the Wind

By John Chao

A SURVIVOR OF LIFE. Laurie Nadel has faced the quirky winds of fate throughout her adult life. She has lived to tell about it. Her new book is a heroic woman’s journey through darkness and despair and the salvation she experienced when she discovered “Flow” through windsurfing.

Interviews

Freestyle: The Future of Windsurfing?

By Martin D. Trees

FREESTYLE MANIA has brought the sport closer to the waters edge and made windsurfer a spectator sport once again. It revived an old recreational pastime that was popular in the old Windsurfer days

Interviews

Wong Guy

By John Chao

You’ve seen his photographs everywhere.

Interviews

Homegrown Hero: KEVIN PRITCHARD

It was a matter of time before the twelve year reign of Björn, the Terminator King would come to an end. In the years of his rule, the sport's organized competitions diminished to mere shadows of their former collectivity.

Interviews

The Unsung Triumph of Barry Spanier

By John Chao

Two years ago, he was considering turning towards his writing skills as opportunities within the windsurfing world seemed to have dried up. Today he stands as the only sail designer who has produced two World Champions for two companies.

Interviews

Bjorn: The Last Word

By John Chao

The toppling of Björn Dunkerbeck from his twelve year domination could be viewed as a major shift for the sport. The cost and energy spent keeping him at the podium has never been viewed by the magazine as a very constructive force.

Interviews

reTURNED

By Diane Buccheri

During dinner, after a day of surf sailing, a thunder cloud appeared and delivered a spectacular a display. It gave the photographer a moment to cherish and reminded Vittorio that life was to be lived abundantly.

Interviews

reTUNED

By John Chao

FINDING PEACE: Having the best years of his youth taken away by cancer, Jamie Torres has found peace under the sun. The experience of facing death has flamed his passion for the sport and provided a measuring stick for the important things in life.

Interviews

Francisco Goya

By Pietro Porcella

He isn’t a superman. He never had technical support from his family, but had other qualities that helped him to work his way up. He was nothing special in his teenage windsurf years either. Simply, he had a strong desire to follow his passion and his dreams.

Interviews

Windsurfer’s RIGHT STUFF

By John Chao

The approach over the famous lake bed landing strip is a common and welcome sight for returning astronaut from the Space Shuttle. This sight is also home to a museum full of test pilots whose legend and heritage goes way back into the annuls of modern day aviation.

Interviews

The Real Stuff

By John Chao

It's not every day that you get permission to hang out with guys with the "Real Stuff". We caught up with Lieutenant Colonel Joe Zeis, the Deputy Commandant of the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Interviews

The Insider

By John Chao

It was one of those moments out of “60 minutes”: A tip from a subscriber, A 20 hour flight to Kuala lumpur, Malaysia, a face to face meeting with the “Insider” who was part of the biggest windsurfing conglomerate in the world.

Interviews

Interview with Toni Cicale

Interviews

Back To The Future: Robby Naish Interview

Interviews

Back To The Future: Neil Pryde Interview

Interviews

Interview with Chad Fleischer

Interviews

Peter Thommen: Master Shaper

By Ken Winner

PETER THOMMEN was impressed. The celebrated board shaper had finally created something he thought was “perfect”. In his eyes, it was the hottest shape on maui. “It puts everything into perspective,” said the shaper as he watched his 22lb baby boy splash across the pool.

Interviews

John Kerry: Interview

By John Chao

Not being of a political persuasion, I knew little of the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts. So to have an intelligent interview with such a figure, a politician that’s even been said to have presidential aspirations, was indeed out of my league.

Interviews

The Transformation of Michael Gebhardt

By John Chao

There are angels whose humanity burdens their cellophane wings. They soar happily while tethered to their genetic whims. They're gifted, filled with talents, yet compromised by brittle shells of flesh.

Interviews

Naomi & Newman Darby – Part II

By John Chao

The "Origin of Windsurfing" series continues with PART II of Naomi and Newman Darby Interview. The published interview was edited for space limitations. The full, unedited interview is provided here.

Interviews

Naomi & Newman Darby

By John Chao

More than thirty years later, at the age of 70, Newman Darby still goes windsurfing when he hears the call of the wind. Even though the magic sport which Newman and Naomi created together has failed to properly acknowledge them...

Interviews

Origins of Windsurfing: Jim Drake

By John Chao

My first impression of Jim Drake, both on the phone and in person, revealed to me that here is a man of unparalleled modesty.

Interviews

Origins of Windsurfing: Hoyle Schweitzer

By John Chao

Hoyle and Diane Schweitzer were motoring around the world when I boarded their yacht on the shores of Georgian Bay, about 2 hours north of Toronto.

Interviews

A Need For Speed

By John Chao

“What does flying an F-16 have to do with windsurfing?” Well, Captain Allan Gabel knows. He’s convince the US Government to give us a ride!

Interviews

Bjorn Again

By John Chao

Well, to know Bjorn Dunkerbeck is to know excellence but to really know Bjorn Dunkerbeck is to get to know Bjorn Again.

Interviews

Annabella Hofmann Interview

By John Chao

Interviews

Interview with William Kenneth Winner US-1

Ken Winner is babysitting his two daughters at their home overlooking the breathtaking Columbia River Rove.  The … Continue reading “Interview with William Kenneth Winner US-1”

Interviews

Beauty and The Beast, Part II

Interviews

Simmering Styles

By John Chao

The wind behind Klaus & Malte Simmer blows from the east. For more than a decade, their … Continue reading “Simmering Styles”

Interviews

Tony Johnson Adrift in The Fountain of Youth

Interviews

The Unsinkable Sali Snell

Interviews

A Day in The Life of Jack McBride

Interviews

Interview with Bill Koch

By John Chao & Rose Scarola

Interviews

Still Sailing After All These Years

By John Chao

Interviews

An Interview with Neil Pryde