Wakeboarding an Original Windsurfer

Several years ago while moored off the coast of Catalina Island, Daniel and Elizabeth buzzed by us and asked if I wanted to go wakeboarding. " SURE! " I yelled as they passed our stern in their dinghy. 

Daniel is a surfer and always had his surfboard on their boat, it was about a 6' 0" so we used his board.  It was challenging to get up from lying down on the board to standing up while being pulled and timing it just right to coincide with accelerating to a plane. It took talent and energy to get up but it was well worth the effort. The surfboard carved easily but didn't allow for any mistakes and we both ended up having some good wipe-outs.

Wakeboarding on a short board, Catalina Island.

Fast forward to last summer. It's the end of another perfect day in Northern Michigan. The wind died hours ago and the sun is positioning itself for a spectacular set.  I am restless to get some sports in, to squeeze just one last ounce out of the day. I grab some line, peal on a wetsuit and I paddle out —this time on my 12' Original Windsurfer— and wait for Brad to meet me beyond the harbor. Brad maneuvers the boat slowly past me and tosses the line.  Once the slack in the line is gone,  I casually stand up. I give Brad the "Thumbs up" and as he throttles-up a wake forms behind the boat. I slip into the wake and begin walking around the Windsurfer board like I am the only person on a dance floor and I have it all to myself.

Original Windsurfer Wakeboarding, stepping forward...

The board is stable, and I realize quickly that we could be dance partners. I am not a cowboy breaking-in a wild horse. No, we are working together. I step towards the tail, moving my weight towards the inside rail to carve a turn, then several steps forward to keep the board in the wake, then a few steps back to enjoy the ride. Brad accelerated more and the wake gets larger and the board glides into a sweet spot. We are one and I am not getting bucked off for some time.

Constantly making adjustments —and playing with the wave— on a long ride.

Wakeboarding the Windsurfer reminded me of longboarding a point break. Relaxed, time to really enjoy the ride and loads of places to move your weight around to work with the board to play in the wave. Constantly making adjustments —and playing with the wave— on a long ride. 

I've described the Original Windsurfer as a surfboard and I guess this is just one more way that it is. I was stoked to squeeze that last ounce out of the day!

Original Windsurfer Regatta #2

The June 25th regatta attracted a group of beginner and seasoned sailors at beautiful Bowers Harbor in Traverse City, Northern Michigan.

Complete regatta results are listed at MOWIND.

Bill and Ted rigging up in the morning.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

Mike Richmond ran race committee and after he lowered the start flag, he then provided on-the-water-commentary and lots of spirit. Thanks Mike we loved your enthusiasm!

Kathleen off to a great start!
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

Six races were held on a triangle course. And the 7 sailors sailed Original Windsurfers that were provided as charter boards.

16-year-old Ellis catching the wind after jibing around the leeward mark.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

I believe it was Beverly's first time on an Original Windsurfer, she was all smiles.

Beverly approaching the finish line.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

Peter and Kathleen, upwind leg.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

After lunch provided by the Boathouse restaurant, sailors head out for more races.

Photo: Dave Dalquist.

The sun was warm and the water was refreshing; there's always time for some freestyle or a power jibe to cool off your feet......

Photo: Dave Dalquist.

Bill and Ellis on a broad reach.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

Textbook form: Hiking out, raking sail back
to point up towards windward mark.....
and no harness needed!
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

After Six starts & races everyone showed improvement on the course and at the starts...

Peter, Ellis and Bill on the start line.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

Heading back to the beach after the races for a BBQ and trophy presentation.

Kathleen and Beverly coming ashore.
Photo: Dave Dalquist.

And the top 3 place winners....

Left to right: Ellis 3rd place, Peter 1st place, Ted 2nd place.

Thank you to our sponsors: Boathouse restaurant, Sailsport Marine and J Henry Vineyards!

Come join us! 

The next Original Windsurfer Series is July 30th. 

Download a flyer at OriginalWindsurfer.com

Original Windsurfer Regatta, Traverse City, Michigan

Original Windsurfer One Design Regatta, Summer Series #1

This was the first in a series of summer regattas being held on Original Windsurfers. Morning rain, cool weather and water temperatures brought a few brave souls out on Saturday, June 11th. Six sailors showed up and three sailors raced.

Three long courses were raced - and the sailors were very careful not to fall into the water!  There was a light to moderate breeze and the racers demonstrated good gentleman's strategy and tactics as they made their way around course.

Click to see Dave Dalquist's photo gallery from this regatta.

Jon and Ted setting marks before the race.

Photo by Dave Dalquist.

Original Windsurfer charter boards.

Photo by Dave Dalquist.

Regatta site in Traverse City.

View from Boathouse restaurant. Photo by Dave Dalquist.

Grosse Pointe Regatta

Patterson Park Regatta, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
The Grosse Pointe Windsurfing Club hosted this 12th annual regatta at Patterson Park on Saturday June 18th.  There was a spectator boat for those who wanted to get an up-close look at the on-the-water strategy.  There were 5 races in moderate to light wind.  This is a well run event and was well attended with some competitors coming from as far away as Toronto. For regatta report visit MOWIND.

A local sailor named Bruce decided to join me on an Original Windsurfer for the race. There was a nice breeze in the morning. Bruce hadn't been on an Original Windsurfer is many years, if ever.  After reading about it's agility and light weight rig he wanted to experience it.  The first race of the day were his first minutes on the board and he had no problems, in fact he sailed it all day!

Preparing for start.

This event has a strong One Design fleet. Nice breeze.

The Windsurfer board gliding thru the water.

Keeping the spectators entertained

Downwind leg, later in the day the wind lightened up.

Battling it out to reach windward mark.

The Friday afternoon before the race I met up with a local gal Lauren to go sailing but the wind died on us, so we ended up removing the rigs and going for a SUP instead.

Here we are goofing around while there was wind. When we launched the wind died, go figure.

The sign in the back reads, "Windsurfing Only" !

Lauren sailing to shore after wind died to remove sail rig and grab a paddle.

no wind? no problem!

One Design Regattas & More NEW Boards.

One Board One Sail
One of the benefits to owning an Original Windsurfer is being able to rig quickly and sail in any conditions. One board, one sail, anywhere there's wind and water.  I recently put this adage to the test at the Walleye Wagatta in Wisconsin where it was b-l-o-w-i-n-g 15 to 20 knots. I wasn't sure if I'd get walloped in the high wind conditions...as it turned out I not only had a blast racing the Original Windsurfer in the high winds, but I was also very competitive.  The only problem I did have was my bungie-cord uphaul broke. Otherwise the Windsurfer was outstanding, especially around all the jibe marks.  I was able to de-power the sail when needed and adjust the centerboard with my foot to maintain stability and balance on the reaches and mark roundings. To see a full report of the regatta visit MOWIND.

Before the first start of the Walleye Wagatta.
The wind continued to build, harnesses required!

Original One Design Racing is back!
This summer there will be 6 regattas on Original Windsurfer One Design's.  A fleet of Original Windsurfer One Design boards are available so all you need is your swim suit. The regattas will be held in the beautiful resort town of Traverse City, Michigan that has beautiful waters, national parks and any type of outdoor activity you can think of. The regatta includes lunch, regatta t-shirt, races, charter board, bbq after the races, raffle prizes and trophies. As summer continues to warm up I expect charter boards will be in demand so reserve yours today. If you need assistance with accommodations, have questions or wish to reserve a board contact me. A flyer with more information and details is at  Original Windsurfer.com.

Traverse City, MI  Regatta Site.
Photo by Dave Dalquist.

Sail Colors, which one to choose?
Going, going....GONE!  Hard to believe the last new Windsurfer One Design was sold and shipped two weeks ago.  But not to worry more are on the way!  To find out about pre-ordering a fresh new Original Windsurfer One Design for this summer contact me for details. Choosing the sail color has been the hardest part of the process for the new owners, the sail colors are all colorful and fun. And now here's something to seriously consider...Come to the regatta, have a great time sailing in beautiful Traverse City, make some new friends, sharpen your sailing skills and buy a new Windsurfer.  You'll save on the freight cost and we'll help you get her all rigged up to sail in the regatta. Maybe you'll even win some new rack straps to help take her home with you, it could happen.

The board's design makes the Windsurfer agile and fun to sail.
Photo by Dave Dalquist.

Often called a "soft-sail" because it has just one full batten at the top,
the Windsurfer sail is light weight and easy to rig.
Photo by Dave Dalquist.

Windsurfer One Design Slalom & Freestyle Cup, Miami Beach, Nov 2010

The Windsurfer One Design International Slalom & Freestyle Cup was held at the Miami Yacht Club in conjunction with the 2010 Kona Windsurf World Championships.

Racing to jibe mark

The wind was light to moderate on a fast slalom course which meant the start, each tack, and each jibe were critical.

The competitors did a good job of maintaining their boat speed while rounding the jibe marks downwind.  One slip up and the competitor behind you was sure to overtake you! 

Slalom races maneuvering through slalom course with skill

Several sailors passed their competitors while rounding the marks.  It was very exciting to be in the competition and exciting to watch the competition!


Greg Johns from Australia ran the Slalom races, he started and recorded the finishes of all the Slalom heats.  THANKS GREG!!!

Slalom Results (top 5 out of 16):
1st place: Peter Jacobson, S. Africa/USA
2nd place: Bjorn Holm, Denmark
3rd place: Andrew Divola, Australia
4th place: Ted Schweitzer, USA
5th place: Stuart Gilbert, Australia


I didn't have an opportunity to take any Freestyle pictures because Greg Johns and myself were judging the Freestyle competition.... there are Freestyle photos from the event that you can view that have been posted on the Original Windsurfer FaceBook page.


Freestyle Results:
1st place: Dennis Winstanley, Australia
2nd place: Stuart Gilbert, Australia
3rd place: Taun Masterson, S. Africa/USA
4th place: Pierre Coupal, Canada
5th place: Denis Dagenais, Canada

Here's a picture of the event shirt, designed by Florencia Barletta from Miami Yacht Club. Thanks Flor for ALL your help!

And there's now a new Windsurfer One Design in Miami thanks to Tomas --who runs the Junior Program at the yacht club -- who bought a Windsurfer One Design.

I hope to make it back to Miami again!

Toronto Demo & Canadian Deliveries

In August I loaded the van with a few boards, the dog, and drove to Canada.

My first stop was Toronto at the Toronto Windsurfing Club for a Freestyle Demonstration and their Wednesday night series. I was invited by Tom Mae who is President of Windsurfing Canada and an avid windsurfer sailor.

Students from Kids Camp trying new Original Windsurfer

They have a sweet facility very close to downtown with a big beach. This seemed like a club where members drop in to check the wind and visit with friends in addition to windsurfing. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening several people introduced themselves to me and shared their windsurfing stories. Some weren't sailing in the evening race but wanted to come down to the club to see the "new" Original Windsurfer and say hi.

Here's a light-wind power jybe

The wind was light but I continued with the Freestyle Demo anyway and then took questions back on the beach from the "Kids Camp" students who had finished their day of windsurfing. They were kinda quiet so I kept talking, then one of them raised their hand and asked if she could try the board, then there were more hands, "me too, me too"!

They sailed the 2 boards I had rigged and one guy even did a back-to-sail (impressive) and 2 of the gals were having a ball and just kept sailing around, tacking and gybing. Back on the beach I asked them what they liked about the board and they all agreed they liked how responsive it was and how easy the rig was to use.

Next was the evening race. The wind was still light but that didn't stop this lively group of sailors from having a good time. A gal named Andree Gauthier sailed the 2nd Original Windsurfer and in no time it felt like I had been sailing with this club for more than just that evening. After a BBQ and loading up the equipment I left Toronto that night heading north.

Above photos by: Reet Mae

Next stop: Cottage Country

Cottage Country consists of all the Canadian summer cottages around and on the lakes and thousands of islands north of Toronto

Map and near the famed cruising grounds of The North Channel. Some crazy couple originally from California wanted a new Original Windsurfer and I (being also a crazy guy originally from California) volunteered to deliver it since it was kinda on my way home from the Demo in Toronto and they're kinda my parents. Oh, but I forgot to mention that while I was driving to Toronto I got a call from a guy in California and he wanted a new Original Windsurfer...and guess where he wanted it delivered? "Cottage Country" but even farther north. You just can't make this up.

Here are some shots of delivering the board and Hoyle sailing his new Original Windsurfer:

Everything has to be taken out by boat to the Islands. Here's the excited new owner. It was too far to windsurf after 2 nights of sleeping in the "van" with my dog Roscoe.

Rigging up

Hoyle's 1st sail on a "new" Original Windsurfer. Over 40 years later, he's still got it.

He was having too much fun so I paddled out to him to see if I could knock him off and pirate his new toy.

He took the bait! I successfully stole his new toy,

did some freestyle, then took a long sail around Lambert Island.

Roscoe waiting for me to return from my cruise...

My next stop was delivering another board to the northern part of Lake Huron. After that I drove back to Michigan. I look forward to another sailing session with the Toronto Windsurfing Club and another stop to sail with family.