FROM 9/11 TO 9.1 — AW’s Editor/Publisher happened to be in NYC on 9/11-on his way to oversee the printing of Volume 9, Issue 1. The events of that day, and the ensuing economic aftermath nearly grounded the magazine. But from shear determination and the love for the sport, the magazine was able to rise from the ashes of Ground Zero. Like the phoenix that is American Windsufer’s own logo, Issue 9.1. symbolizes also, a new beginning.
9:11
I read the forecast and I know how much Sept. 11th changed the world. I remember the pain in our hearts and disbelief that this attack was deliberately done by Osama Bin Laden. During that time, the whole world went into shock. We finally united as one nation. We stopped separating color, religion, and political conflicts. We were in mourning.
My concerns were of nuclear attacks and of more unforeseen deaths. We were not expecting any of these things. It was a shock. Many people lost family members and financial institutions were at a loss. The world stopped. I was driving at the time that this happened and you were there at ground zero. Everybody remembers where they were when the world stopped turning. You saw the changing point of the world. You saw history in the making. You will lead many to Peace efforts through your magazine. You’ve been blessed with your talents for these reasons. Capitalize on your strengths. Lahwan Parsons askmehowto@hotmail.com
Sail On, Sailor!
HELLO, ALOHA, HOLA, I just received Volume 9, Issue 1, 2002!!!! at my post office box address. Excellent picture of man with dog tooth tuna fish. DO YOU HAVE ANY NEWS FROM THE FRENCH WOMAN THAT WIND SURFED ACROSS THE ATLANTIC? She was featured in the all women’s issue of American Windsurfer, she was scheduled to windsurf the Pacific. LOCALLY: THE WIND AT WADDELL CREEK AND DAVENPORT LANDING HAS BEEN CONSISTENT AND ALL THE SAILORS HAVE BEEN ON IT. NO WHITE SHARK SIGHTINGS OF LATE TO REPORT OR UNUSUAL WEATHER PATTERNS. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. USE THE WIND IN A POSITIVE WAY. SAIL-ON SAIL-ON SAIL-ON SAILOR!!!!!!! Austin Wesley Feltton, CA austineastridge@HOTMAIL.COM
9.11 has set things back for Rapheala le Gouvello. She has delayed her Pacific adventure and will sail the Mediterranean while fortifying her sponsors. ED
Friendly Dispute
II was wondering exactly where the photo of the NY City skyline was taken, (article “about 9.1 on 9.11”). Hopefully your answer will settle a friendly dispute in my favor. Thanks, Andy McKenna McKenna@eclipse.net
The picture was taken at Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Hopefully, the outcome is in your favor. ED
Feminine Letter
I wanted to write you before another “Special Women’s Edition” came out. If this is to be your one attempt to attract a female readership, I’d recommend hiring more female staff/editors. This might have avoided the misprinting of Glenn Fullers article, Jacques: Man with ladies, in this issue. Is this “woman’s guide to windsurfing” or “men’s guide to girls?” I doubt your female readership is interested in how “pleasing on the eyes . . . feminine, elegant, and beautiful to look at” Jacques finds his female wait staff. The female windsurfers I know are powerful in their own right, not interested in having men perpetually define women as objects. By the way, how about making every issue female friendly, not just one per year. Lisa Nevara lnevara@hotmail.com
From “butt UGLY” (see Airmail 9.1) to “beautiful to look at”…is it half full or half empty? Why can’t we just get along? I don’t think we ever claimed the issue to be a ‘woman’s guide to windsurfing’…who are we to guide? Oh, and the editorial office is filled with women, the only guy takes the garbage out.
Focus on Youth
The USWA is making a real commitment this year to promoting youth in windsurfing, and I have taken on the (new) role of Junior Development Coordinator. My entire role is to increase the participation in, and visibility of, kids in both recreational and competitive windsurfing. I would really appreciate any help you could give us—not financial help (although that is always nice) but coverage of kids at events, kids who sail the whole spectrum. One thing I have discovered is that children of windsurfers are not necessarily following in their fathers (or mothers) footsteps—as Guy Miller (from Texas) told me “they see it as their fathers sport—all old farts” This is scary for the sport in general—but in his area of Texas, there are NO kids sailing. And this is the area hosting the Nationals! I have some ideas that I feel would fly—but need help from the media. If you would be interested in helping in any way, please!! Contact me. Carolyn Boersma carolynboersma@yahoo.com
FREE Hat
II recently re-subscribed to American Windsurfer by phone and charged it to my credit card. I spoke with Carolyn and have already received my current magazine! Thank you very much for sending it so quickly!! On the phone, you said I could select a hat on the web site that is free with the new subscription. I can’t find out how to access the hat styles. Could you let me know what to look under? I tried “Wind Mall”, but couldn’t find any hats, and the “clothing link,” said it is under construction. Thanks a bunch! Love your Magazine!! Pat Sharp sharpieoforanje@worldnet.att.net
Go to https://www.americanwindsurfer.com and you will find it on the home page.
National Champion
I refer to the recent issue of your magazine Vol. 9, Issue 1. A great issue, by the way, loved the reading.
I have a problem with the quote about Micah, first inside page. You refer to him as winning the US Nationals. This is not true. He won the first place trophy in the Formula division. But this is not an official national title.
I won this event and was got the official title “US National Champion.” I chose not to compete in the Formula division for this very reason. Phil McGain Maui, Hawaii
We stand corrected. Though there have been discussions about giving the “official” title to the winner of the fleet with the highest number of competitors.
Prodigal Daughter
When I stepped off the plane in New York City that frigid day in December, I had no idea of the journey that was about to begin. I was oblivious to the fact that my windsurfing equipment (which had become an extension of myself, as a professional windsurfer for the greater half of the decade) would become a fixture in Rush and Erin Randle’s garage for a year. I suppose if I had known, I would have never had the courage to leave Maui and embark on the inward journey of yoga and meditation that I did.
I also did not plan the outcome of this journey, which ironically led me right back to the ocean and to my beloved sport of windsurfing. In the end, however, something was different. I now had a grander, more philanthropic perspective of my relationship to the sport, as well as a stronger physical and emotional body. Who would have known that a year off would actually produce such monumental benefits? It has not been an easy road, it has been the hardest, most painful, and difficult year of my life. But the knowledge I have acquired will serve as a compass which will guide me for the rest of my life. It is my intention to share the knowledge I have acquired during this journey.
After years of over-training, the first commitment I made to myself when I arrived on the east coast was to find a yoga studio where I would religiously start practicing to heal mine out of balance body. The goal at the time was only to heal my tired body, not my mind, and soul. The outcome again was nothing as I expected. As my body grew stronger, I started to have inspirations and new visions regarding my relationship to others and my relationship to the sport of windsurfing. The questions became: How can I help? How can I serve? How can I use my unique talents to help make other people’s lives better?
I began scheming and dreaming of ways to give back to the sport which has brought me such success and true joy. I started pondering ways to use the sport as a vehicle to help others.
Ironically, at this time, I was invited to an AIDS charity benefit for children which involved teaching children with AIDS to windsurf. Although it was canceled at the last minute, the idea inspired me to think about creating an organization or an event such as this to bring attention to important causes as well as to spread some joy to sick children.
There have been many lessons learned, however. One of the most fundamental truths I discovered has to do with courage. One must have the courage to follow one’s path in life, no matter how hard and high the obstacles. This always involves risk and iron-will dedication. In order to help and serve others, you must have the courage to follow your heart’s desires and divine the path which leads to your destiny. How do you know what your path is? It is that feeling in your gut. That feeling of joy you experience when you think of what life would be like if you achieved that goal and the joy that would ensue during the journey to obtain that goal. It is pure passion, and we all have our unique passions and higher selves we want to express. It is that Zen-like feeling of riding a wave on a perfect, glassy, mast-high day in your favorite spot with your two best friends—in the moment of pure bliss—this is the feeling we all have deep inside of us and our “gut” knows how to get there if we could just quiet our busy minds and listen. I know it is easier said than done, and each of us has our own way of meditating and “tuning in.” Did you know that Einstein thought of the theory of relativity while taking a bath? Taking a bath was his way of tuning in. Each of us has our own unique way to “connect” and it requires being at the moment.
The most monumental of all lessons learned has been the hardest part of the journey—knowing my purpose and passion, but having the courage to express and manifest it in the “real world” which requires “tuning in” and taking baby steps. As Tolstoy once said, “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” It means picking up the phone, making that scary call, putting yourself out there. The hardest challenge has become not only to take the actions but to do so consistently. What other choice did I have? Continue my mediocre life, or get back to that divine passion that inspired me so many days living in Maui as a professional windsurfer? Especially when my passion included the original question of “How can I use this passion to help and serve others using my unique talents?” The answers came slowly and steadily, like a wonderfully flowing stream. I knew writing about my experience in itself would help others to know they are not alone, and to give them the inspiration to follow their path. Sort of like a road map—letting people know that it is not always easy. It actually is downright difficult at times, and this is the challenge. As a wise man once said, “An overnight success usually takes about ten years.”
Most importantly, my mission has become to use my name and image as a professional athlete to bring attention to causes that I find important. I am inspired to use my voice to bring attention to charity foundations as well as children’s sports foundations to get children involved in sports. It is my dream to create a watersports event with the top water athletes to help children with life-threatening diseases. It is the combination of continuing to windsurf professionally (photo shoots for sponsors, travel stories and possibly competition) in conjunction with the service that completes the picture. Another important part of helping others to “connect” is through my version of personal training and yoga to help people achieve the mind/body connection. It is important to share my acquired experiences as well as the benefits of yoga, meditation, and writing. As another very wise man said, “The quality of your life comes right down to the quality of your contribution.” Following your passions and using your unique talents to serve others makes everyday a magical, divinely inspired journey fueled by happiness which permeates regardless of what the outside world dictates. Ceci Cleary Cecicleary @aol.com
