Hall of Fame - Windsurfing Hall of Fame

The Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) Hall of Fame is still only virtual, but since 2002 three names have been nominated each year from the suggestions of the specialised journalists of the biggest windsurfing magazines. In the first year, it was Robby Naish, the hero of windsurfing, Jim Drake, the inventor, and Hoyle Schweitzer, who produced the original windsurfer and brought it to surfers worldwide. Three new heroes were added in 2003: Arnaud de Rosnay, Mike Waltze and Ken Winner. The new members for 2004 have not yet been finalised.

These three names are synonymous with windsurfing: Jim Drake, Hoyle Schweitzer and Robby Naish. They were the first to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jim Drake launched the original windsurfer he invented for the first time in May 1967 in Marina del Ray (California).

Hoyle Schweitzer, to whom he subsequently sold his patent, set up a production facility and sold the "sailboard" all over the world. This made windsurfing really popular.

Hoyle Schweitzer's greatest ambassador, however, was Robby Naish. In addition to his skills and sporting successes (windsurfing world champion 76-79, overall professional world champion 83-87), it was his likeable manner that popularised windsurfing. Robby Naish was inducted into the PWA Hall of Fame two years ago. In May 2004, the hero enjoyed a further honour for his first world championship title in 1976, and has now been inducted into the "Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame" at the Honolulu Country Club.

Three new Heros followed in 2003: In 2003, the choice was not easy. In the end, the journalists decided with twelve votes in favour of Baron de Rosnay, who made headlines in the 80s with adventurous crossings (e.g. through the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia). In 1985, Rosnay disappeared on a trip from China to Taiwan.

Nine votes went to Mike Waltze, who is regarded as the first surfer of Hookipa and also discovered Jaws.

The American Ken Winner (eight votes), a former World Cup star, was also responsible for the North Sails kites as a designer.

The nominees for 2004 Robby Naish, Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer are already in, last year Mike Waltze, Ken Winner and Arnaud de Rosnay entered the hall of fame of the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA). In addition to trade journalists from all over the world, the public will also be able to vote, with this result contributing 40 per cent to the overall ranking. At the moment, former speed world record holder Pascal Maka (centre), surf photographer Darrell Wong (right) from Hawaii and multiple PWA professional world champion Nathalie LeLievre are the most popular nominees. The PWA, which currently has its hands full with the ongoing World Cups, has not yet decided when the vote will take place. We will report as soon as there is news.