Bo Derek and Olympic scuttlebutt, circa 1980

If you're too young to know who Bo Derek is, too bad. Once again, I have dug deep into Windsurfer history with some of the material from the Spring issue of 1980. The above page, I hope, needs no explanation.

Recently there's been a boardsport kerfuffle of Olympic proportions: Will it be kiting or windsurfing or both at the 2016 Olympics? Diane Schweitzer's editorial from 1980 reminds us how that new sport of windsurfing got rushed into the Olympics without much history to prove if we were the real deal or just a passing fad. Once again, a special thanks to Ted Schweitzer, The Original WINDSURFER. Click the page scans for better viewing...uh, reading ( add some page zoom too).

Calendar: June - 2011

PWA | Costa Brava Spain | May 31 - Jun 5
http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=177&cHash=795a2ca245

Wednesday Nite Racing | Miami | June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

http://www.windsurfingtour.com/?p=3585&ref=nf

BYC Friday Night Race | Berkely, CA | June 3

http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Starboard Slalom | Kanaha, Maui | June 4

http://www.mauiraceseries.com/

SDFW | San Diego, CA | June 4

http://sandiegowindsurfing.homestead.com/events.html

Gorge Cup Race 1 | Hood River, OR | June 4

http://www.vmgevents.com/gc/schedule.htm

Cat Tail Regatta | Toledo, OH | June 4

shaas@amoka.com

BYC Friday Night Race | Berkely, CA | June 10

http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

ABK | San Luis Reservoir, CA | June 10 -12

http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/204

Original Windsurfer Series | Traverse City, Michigan | June 11, 25

http://www.originalwindsurfer.com/site/index.html

East Coast WS Festival | Long Island, NY | June 11 - 12

http://www.ecwindfest.com/East_Coast_Windsurfing_Festival/ECWF_Home.html

Gorge Cup Race 2 | Hood River, OR | June 11 - 12

http://www.vmgevents.com/gc/schedule.htm

Ronstan Bay Challenge | San Francisco, CA | June 11 -12

http://www.stfyc.com/

Worthington WS Regatta | Worthington, MN | June 11 - 12

http://www.worthingtonwindsurfing.com/

Gerry Brown Memorial Regatta | Essex, MD | June 12

http://www.windsurfbaba.org/pages/racing/racing.htm

Waterstart Clinic | San Francisco, CA | June 11, 12

http://boardsportsschool.com/calendar/windsurfing/

PWA | Bonaire | June 12 - 16

http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=178&cHash=6d33e5f0c8

Pistol River Wave Bash | Pistol River, OR | June 16 - 19

http://americanwindsurfingtour.com/tour/pistol-river/

St. Francis YC Twighlight Series | San Francisco, CA | June 17

http://www.stfyc.com/

ABK | San Luis Reservoir, CA | June 17 -19

http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/205

Spring Women's Clinic | Port Bolster, Ontario | June 17 - 19

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/6602425/ON/Port-Bolster/Spring-Women39s-Clinic/Burgess-Enclave/

Gross Pointe WS Club Regatta | Patterson Park, MI | June 18

http://gpwc.jimminet.net/

Dakine Classic | Kanaha, Maui | June 18

http://www.mauiraceseries.com/

PWA | Aruba | June 19 - 26

http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=179&cHash=176495c4c0

Big Winds Big Loop Contest | Hood River | June 22 - 29
http://windsurfingmag.com/uncategorized/2011/06/06/big-winds-big-loop-contest/

BYC Friday Night Race | Berkely, CA | June 24

http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Gorge Windfest | Hood River, OR | June 25 - 26

http://gorgewindsurfing.org/events/windfest/

ABK | Rio Vista, CA | June 24 - 26

http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/206

Moosefest Regatta | Dryden, Ontario | June 25 - 26

http://www.windsurfwoody.ca/regatta/contact.html

Gorge Blowout & Mini Blowout | Hood River | June 25 or 26

http://www.vmgevents.com/gc/schedule.htm

HiHo | BVI, Tortola | June 26 - July 3

http://go-hiho.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=hiho.main

Aruba Hi-Winds | Aruba | June 29 - July 4
http://hiwinds-aruba.com/

PWA | Lanzarote | Jun 30 - Jul 3
http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=180&cHash=cc34e166de

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Canadian events.

More Team USA junior events.

Mowind does a detailed schedule  for the Great Lakes / North Central U.S.

Calcup covers the west coast U.S. races and more.

Maui Race Series.

ABK continuous tour schedule.

U.S. Windsurfing National Racing Tour.

Southeast U. S. events will be found here.

iWindsurf Events page.

Solo Sports events.

PWA World Tour Events.

American Windsurfing (Wave) Tour.

BABA events.

The forward loop

Like an archaeologist who uncovers something unusual, I was really excited about finding this piece of windsurfing history. Written in 1980, The Aerial Loop article, contradicts coventional history, because most of us believe the forward loop was invented in the mid 1980's. Before my discovery could be validated I had to learn more.  I sent Ken Winner the article with a few questions. His reply:

I’ll take a shot at the questions:

The most recent recounting of the history of the forward loop has it being invented in the mid 1980's. Were you the first to do a loop? Are the photos of you?
The photos are of me. The article was a spoof; an attempt at humor. Clue: "The idea of doing the loop first came to me after a fall on my head" (emphasis added). The idea was outlandish enough at the time that most readers understood that it was a spoof, at the time. The photos show a standard non-rotating jump, but two of the photos have been rotated. Nobody was even close to looping at the time.

Windsurfing Mag editor, Josh Sampiero says the photos are of a back loop. Is he right?

Yes. A psuedo-backloop.

How big a board were you hucking?

9'.

Where was the looping being done?

The photos were probably taken at Diamondhead, Oahu. First half of 1980.

Were there others doing the loop?

No. We didn't start looping until about '84. Back loop first. Forward loop a couple of years later, I think.

I hope that helps. ken

Even if it was a spoof, did the article plant the seed of invention in the minds of some? Perhaps. Was it an April fools joke? Perhaps. Did it fool me? Definitely.

So who did invent the forward loop? Boardseeker writes: "For many of our younger readers the name Cesare Cantagalli will not mean much. But it should as Cesare was the inventor of the forward loop and the first person to ever try a double." For their report: the loop.

.

Believe it or not, the most advanced simulator ( there have been others) designed to let you practice the loop was introduced this year at the 2011 German Boot Show. Can you see this contraption at windsurfing resorts? 

Maybe the best "how to video" by Remko de Weerd.



Finally, for all the brave who muster the courage to begin the path of a looping learner... Clive Boden who tackled learning to loop in his late 50's is, among other things, unafraid to laugh at himself.

If  the above information isn't enough...you'll find a ton more on the Learners guide freestyle page.

Windsurfing History: The Aerial Loop

WINDSURFER Volume 10, Number 2, Spring 1980

Appearing on pages 34 & 35 in this issue is an article by Ken Winner about the aerial loop. Not only does this article set an American time reference for the invention and execution of the loop, it may also bring into question other claims about the origin of windsurfing's preeminent manuever.

Ken Winner, one of windsurfing's pioneering innovators, battled another legend back in the day, Robby Naish. "Robby and I go way back. He won the overall windsurfing world championship in ’76, I won it in ’77. He won it in ’78, I won it in ’80. He won the Pan Am Cup in 1980; I won it in 1981.  The first two years of the windsurfing world cup he took first and I took second . . . so we’ve been in close competition for decades. It’s always a pleasure."

Special thanks to Ted Schweitzer for allowing and helping to make possible a reprint of the article below.

Can You Imagine ?

THE AERIAL LOOP

By Ken Winner

The idea of doing the loop first came to me after a fall on my head.  I'd done one of those particularly high jumps in which everything gets upside down and stays that way. Why, I asked, when I had regained my senses, don't I take the easy way out of those jumps? Since the board has already started in a loop, I reasoned, and since it has quite a bit of angular velocity in that direction, why should I go to the trouble and effort of reversing all that momentum? Conclusion: I should simply keep the board rotating the way it wants to and there'll be an end to all this landing on my head.

Stain and Oden listened politely, if somewht disdainfully, to my description of the loop and the safety such a maneuver would bring to wave jumping.

"That's fine for beginners," Stain snorted, "they're welcome to do the easy stuff; in fact, they may as well be at home watching football or bowling if they're going to take the easy way out of every jump." "But," I pleaded, "maybe it's good for beginners at first, so they don't get hurt..." Stain turned his back to me and stalked away.

I could see his point of view. He used to surf a lot and surfers are into redirection. Cutbacks, laybacks. bottomturns - they're all sacred to surfers. What Stain does in his jumps is, to him, an aerial cutback. Aerial redirection is far superior to the aerial inertia that i was supporting.

Nevertheless, beginners should be aware of the easy way out of those high upside down jumps. So following is a step by step description of my own modest contribution to the art of wave jumping.

You'll need at least twenty knots of sideshore wind and a steep, hollow wave about head or so. The take-off (not pictured here) is normal, with weight well back.

Photo No. 1  Note the crouched semi-tuck position assumed initially. It isn't really necessary but does make for tighter, faster loop.

Photo No. 2  Depending upon whether angular velocity is being maintained, it may be necessary to sheet out to a certain degree at the high point of your arc. In this particular sequence, sheeting out was not needed.

Photo No. 3  Again, if your rate has slowed too much, you may be in for a nose dive landing. Should that be the case, sheet out fully and back your sail to complete the loop. In this sequence I had to straighten somewhat in order to SLOW my rate of turn.

Photo No. 4  If your judgment and timing are good you'll make a normal landing, but don't be embarassed if you're a little off and don't make it the first time.

Vietnam | Cozumel | Waddell Creek | Mags

Maui  Nerds Productions (their photo to the left) is getting ready for the first time ever PWA event in Vietnam beginning February 25. Travel stories about the difficulty of getting there are beginning to surface. For all of us who aren't competiting, grab your computer, find that familar cozy nest on your couch 'cause there will be a LIVE WEBCAST on the PWA website. Time Zone difference: Vietnam is 12 hours ahead, so when its 10:00 am in Vietnam, its 10:00 pm the night before on the east coast of the U.S. Because the tour is about to start, this is your last chance to play Windsport's Fantasy Windsurfing. It's easy to do and you might win a board. To get you in the mood for the freestyle action sure to come, watch this hilarious Kuma Movie:

Team USA Windsurfing coach, Britt Viehman, knew what to do: abandon the race, save the pretty girl. So did Rasmus Sayre. Does his last name ring any bells ? His famous dad, Nevin Sayre, was all smiles. Get the full report from the rescuer and the rescuee.



The American Windsurfing Tour has hit a speed bump. The state of California is asking for a $6400 event fee to stage the Tour's first stop at Waddell Creek. Here's what Tour director Sam Bittner is saying:

Aloha All Windsurfers and Windsurfing Lovers!We are getting ready for one of the greatest windsurfing seasons EVER! The American Windsurfing Tour (AWT) is expanding the amazing sport of wavesailing across America and beyond. It is difficult to organize something like this, but I love it and believe it is doing great things for Windsurfing! So far, there have been TONS of supporters and I want to thank you all for helping make this tour a reality.

We have run into a permit issue regarding the event at Waddell Creek. The California State Parks department is requiring an unbelievable amount of money for this event to happen. They are asking for $6400 for the 4 days of competition- WOW! The show must go on and it is going to take all of us working together to make ends meet. If you or anyone you know is in a position to sponsor, donate, or even register for the event it all helps out. Even if you have no intention of competing, just paying the entry fee can go a long way to help this contest happen! Windsurfing Needs YOU!!!

Thank you all for your help and I look forward to seeing you on the American Windsurfing Tour!! Any donations can be made by clicking the DONATE tab on the home page of http://americanwindsurfingtour.com/.

Please pass this on to your friends!




New Mags are ready to read...Can't find them on your local news stand ? Subscribe !! They deserve our support !!

Calendar: April - May - 2011

Oxbow Ride the Sky | Hookipa | Apr 1 - 30
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174016579311102

Friday Night Race | BYC Berkeley | Apr 1
http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Crissy Field Swap Meet | San Francisco | April 2
https://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=150770#150770

WINDSURFING Mag Boardtest | Hatteras | Apr 3 - 10 (week 2)
http://windsurfingmag.com/features/2011/01/25/welcome-to-board-tests-live/

Master of the Ocean | Cabarete D.R. | Apr 5 - 11
http://masteroftheocean.com/

Twighlight Series | St. Francis YC San Francisco | Apr 8
http://www.stfyc.com/

SD FW | San Diego | Apr 9
http://sandiegowindsurfing.homestead.com/events.html

Miami Wind & Surfer's Challenge 2011 | Miami | Apr 9 - 10
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164330723611487&index=1

Midwest Speed Quest | Worthington MN | Apr 15 - Oct 15
http://www.midwestspeedquest.com/index.html

Friday Night Race | BYC Berkely | Apr 15
http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Elvstrom Zellerbach | St. Francis YC San Francisco | Apr 16 - 17

http://www.stfyc.com/

Florida Windfest | Kelly Park, Cocoa FL | Apr 16 - 17 Cancelled
http://calema.com/events/event-details/?event_id=30

Solo Sports - Kevin McGillivray | Baja | Apr 16 - 23
http://www.solosports.net/Wavecamps/Mattclinic2011.htm

Curacao Challenge | Curacao | Apr 19 - 24
http://www.curacaochallenge.com/

Wednesday Nite Racing | Miami | April 20, 27 | May 4, 11, 18, 25
http://www.windsurfingtour.com/?p=3585&ref=nf

ABK | South Padre Island TX | Apr 21 - 24

http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/70

Twighlight Series | St. Francis YC San Francisco | Apr 22
http://www.stfyc.com/

Solo Sports - Matt Pritchard | Baja | Apr 23 - 30
http://www.solosports.net/Wavecamps/Mattclinic2011.htm

Makani Fins Week | Hatteras | Apr 25 - May 2
http://www.windsport.com/news_article?news_id=1096

ABK | Corpus Christi TX | Apr 28 - May 1
http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/222

Friday Night Race | BYC Berkeley | Apr 29
http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Stephen Smith Memorial Regatta | Shell Point, FL | Apr 29 - May 1
http://www.smithregatta.com/

PWA | Podersdorf Austria | Apr 29 - May 4
http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=175&cHash=eef8996223

CalCup 1 | San Francisco | Apr 30
http://www.calcupevents.com/

Waterstart Clinic | San Francisco, CA | May 1 - 2
http://www.iwindsurf.com/events.iws?eventMonth=1

CMWA Bonaire | Bonaire | May 1 - 22
http://windsurf.ca/bonaire-2010/



Santa Cruz Classic | Waddell Creek CA | May 5 - 8
http://americanwindsurfingtour.com/?page_id=6

Twighlight Series | St. Francis YC San Francisco | May 6
http://www.stfyc.com/

SD FW | San Diego | May 7
http://sandiegowindsurfing.homestead.com/events.html

Butterfly Effect | Ho'okipa | May 7
http://betheeffect.com/home/?p=1006

ABK | Hatteras | May 9 - 13
http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/223

Friday Night Race | BYC Berkeley | May 13
http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Kashy/Wet Sring Regatta | Seaford, VA | May 13 - 15
http://www.sailwet.com/Regattas/SpringReg11.htm

CalCup 2 | San Francisco | May 14
http://www.calcupevents.com/

Walleye Wagatta | Fond du Lac WI | May 14 - 15

http://www.mowind.org/calendar/calendar.pdf

PWA | Ulsan Korea | May 14 - 20
http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=176&cHash=209daac991

Solo Sports - Wyatt Miller | Baja | May 14 - 21
http://solosports.net/Wavecamps/Wyatt-flash/wyatt-camp-2011.htm

Aloha WS Clinic by Matt P. & Shawna C. | Maui | May 14 - 21
http://www.pritchardwindsurfing.com/

Friday Night Race Series | St. Francis YC San Francisco | May 20
http://www.stfyc.com/

Saylorville Dam Jam | Des Moines IA | May 20 - 22
http://www.mowind.org/wp/?page_id=741

ABK | Long Island NY | May 20 - 22
http://abkboardsports.com/camps/details/203

Alum Creek WS Regatta | Columbus OH | May 21 - 22
http://www.mowind.org/calendar/calendar.pdf

Baba Gun Powder Camp Out Regatta | Chase, MD | May 21 - 22
http://www.windsurfbaba.org/pages/racing/racing.htm

Friday Night Race | BYC Berkeley | May 27
http://www.berkeleyyc.org/racing/friday/index.html

Spring Get-Together | Ontario | May 27 - 29
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/6602424/ON/Port-Bolster/Spring-Get-Together/Burgess-Enclave/

PWA | Costa Brava Spain | May 31 - Jun 5
http://www.pwaworldtour.com/index.php?id=38&tx_pwaevent_pi1[showUid]=177&cHash=795a2ca245

---

Canadian events.

More Team USA junior events.

Mowind does a detailed schedule  for the Great Lakes / North Central U.S.

Calcup covers the west coast U.S. races and more.

ABK continuous tour schedule.

U.S. Windsurfing National Racing Tour.

Southeast U. S. events will be found here.

iWindsurf Events page.

Solo Sports events.

PWA World Tour Events.

American Windsurfing (Wave) Tour.

The new year begins

Los Barriles, Baja, Mexico on the southern shore of the Sea of Cortez is getting ready to start the Lord of the Wind event. It's been awhile since we've seen $19,000 in prize money and to set the tone, Confradia Tequila is offering a limited bottling with the event name. Woo hoo, party hearty dudes and dudettes. Get dialed into the schedule because Epic Sessions TV will be there to livecast. If you've never seen a David Troup live video broadcast, please visit his site beforehand to get the right Apple software. The action starts on Thursday, Jan 13. Check this iWindsurf sensor for the local wind conditions.

Meanwhile, Florida gets ready for the start of its race season with the Alex Caviglia Bluewater Classic in Miami, from Jan 15-17. The Rolex Miami Olympic Class Regatta, RS:X, is set for Jan 23-29. The heat is on this year because the final stop of the OCR World Tour will be the country qualifing regatta for the 2012 Olympics. Neil Pryde has gone all in on the RS:X with a new version of the board ready for the 2016 Olympics. This year they are providing charters for the World Tour and $50,000 in prize money for next year's 2012 World Championship. More on the just launched NP Racing website.

Maybe the longest running windsurfing event in the U.S., the Calema Midwinters is cancelled this year. The PWA has scheduled, in that same time slot, a mega event in Vietnam. In Sarasota, Florida, Feb 26-27, catch the Master/Seniors Island Style Classic, traditionally held the week before the Midwinters. Replacing the Midwinters this year is the Banana River Windsurfing Regatta and the North American Kona Windsurfing Championships, Mar 4-6. Information for all of these events: DaNewsBlog Calendar

Is WINDSURFING doing some belt tightening or is it just the growing pains of the venerable institution as they adapt and adjust to the demands of the digital media age. Got my upteenth notice for subscription renewal offering only 4 issues this year. If one less issue has got you bumming, there are plans for a stronger internet presence with some new and different features. To get the flavor of what's coming, check out the mag's 2011 Media Kit. Their forum is down for maintenance which most likely means it's closed, a victim of the lack of resources required to regularly monitor a public forum in the Age of Spam. iWindsurf remains as the only general purpose windsurfing forum in the U.S.