Featured Articles

Makin’ Waves

William Abeel 1917-2000

By John Chao

The reality of a recent transition puts a question mark to the theory. A friend of the magazine and one of our contributing editors from San Francisco, Bill Abeel, was killed by a hit and run vehicle on New Years Eve.

Forecast

Editor’s Note: Issue 8.2

By John Chao

There is much soul in this edition even though it is our annual equipment review issue. While I say this, I’m trying to figure out why it is that I feel this way.

Contributors

WindStuff

Finally, publisher John Chao who did the impossible by bringing the whole project together, had some some pretty nice perks for himself. Well, six weeks on Maui is one perk. The others? How about a ride in a fighter jet with one of our testers?

Air Mail

Spontaneous Wacko Vis/Anima

Greetings, and thanks for your continued efforts to put out the best windsurfing magazine, and promote our sport. I would like to challenge the philosophy that spilled into the latest issue, as described in “LIFESOURCE.”

WindTracks

The 2001 State of the Stoke…or just, The 2001 Stoke Update

By Dana Miller

Oh yeah, I’m stoked. And humbly grateful to have found so much inspiration and joy in the elemental process of seeking windy waves. So to have enjoyed all the quality time to pursue writing, meditate on the path I’ve taken, and search my soul for some hint of true purpose was a total bonus.

WindTracks

Saved by Windsurfing

By Chuck Kardin

In the summer of ’96, I was standing on the cusp of mid-life, the age of Duty and Responsibility. This forty-year-old father of three, owner of a dented station wagon and a serious mortgage in a staid, southern town, quit a lucrative, decorated fifteen year career as an industrial equipment sales rep.

Equipment Tests

Test 2001 Feedback Festival

By Martin Trees with Andy Gurtner

This year’s equipment test was quickly dubbed the 2000+1 Feedback/Festival as we set ourselves the goal of providing detailed equipment feedback, together with lifestyle coverage of the many people involved.

Equipment Tests

The Results: Boards

By Martin Trees with Andy Gurtner

For many windsurfers the ultimate experience is to ride waves, and manufacturers cater to that desire in spectacular form. Perhaps the most enduring image in windsurfing is of someone riding Jaws or Ho’okipa, highlighting by perspective the awesome power of the sea and the vulnerability, yet persistence, of the sailor dwarfed by the onrushing wall of water.

Equipment Tests

The 2000+1 Sail Test

By Martin Trees with Andy Gurtner

Sail trimming was, as ever, an intricate issue. While we’d all like sails that are uncomplicated and rig easily, the truth is that sails need accurate trimming in order to work as intended.

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.