I wanted to share this blog from the East coast. It is the first born again (from the dark side) windsurf blog I have found and he just happens to be doing it on HOT! Enjoy! http://ncpaddlesurfer.blogspot.com
I was in Japan 2 weeks ago and was fortunate to meet this remarkable little girl who is quite the fearless sailor. Kazami Matsuura has been sailing flat water and even racing all summer, but when I met her it was her first time in waves. Oh, and it was blowing 30+!
I had made this special 2.1 Microfire for surf conditions with our RDM310 mast. Yes, the 310 mast is sticking out the top that much! Though she is an exceptional child sailor, she is just like every other kid and enjoys playing most of the time.
While spending this weekend in Japan, I visited the oldest windsurfing shop in Japan, De Mer. Started in 1976, it has been a family run business for 35 years. It helped set the path for Japanese shops where not only does it sell gear and offer lessons, but it offers board and rig storage for customers. This also creates a "club" feeling and a simple meeting area is maintained that includes erecting a dome in wintertime that is a heated warm up spot and general gathering place.
Outside is some serious windsurf history in various states of decay, and the surroundings are humble, but very functional. De Mar is one of Hot Sails Maui top selling shops in Japan, and they are strong supporters of kids camps and introducing women to windsurfing.This very faded Hot sticker is at least 20 to 23 years old! Shop founder Mr. Ookawa and I pose with his first Windsurfer® wooden boom from 1975 or perhaps earlier. He is now joined by his son Shun who teaches windsurfing and works in the shop along with other family members.
Hot Sails Maui team rider, and overall ripper Amado Vrieswijk has been awarded Sportsman of the Year" award by the govenor of Bonaire. Amado has had an amazing year, pretty much winning every race in his age class. Other Bonaire sailors also won awards including Hot Sails Maui Freestyle ripper Bjorn Saragosa for "Windsurfing Spirit" award.
