Riders, inventors, promoters, events: Who should be in the Windsurfing Hall of Fame in 2026? Submit your nominations now!
The Windsurfing Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for new members of the "Class of 2026". Windsurfers and fans of the sport worldwide are invited to submit their nominations for individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements and contributions to the development of windsurfing. Legends such as Robby Naish, Björn Dunkerbeck, Jim Drake, John Carter and other big names are of course already included, but who else deserves this honour?
Nominations can only be sent by e-mail to windsurfhof@gmail.com be submitted. The deadline for entries is midnight (GMT/London) on 15 November 2025. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to recognise remarkable people in the sport of windsurfing for their prominence, achievements, strength of character, longevity and contribution to the sport.
Four categories in the Windsurfing Hall of Fame
Four different categories are available for the nominations.
- The Riders Hall honours athletes who have spent their careers competing at the highest national and international level. Previous inductees include legends such as Robby Naish, Björn Dunkerbeck, Rhonda Smith Sanchez, Ken Winner and Jenna de Rosnay.
- The Craftsmen's Hall is aimed at shapers, sailmakers and innovators who have contributed significantly to the development of the sport through their designs for boards, sails and other innovations.
- The Media Hall recognises photographers, filmmakers and journalists who have documented and promoted the sport at a world-class level.
- Finally, the Pioneers and Promoters Hall People who have organised windsurfing events, promoted the sport or developed new concepts that have contributed to the growth and development of the sport over many years.
New Events Hall for cult events
One new feature is the opening of the Events Hall for nominations. This category was created to recognise the longest-running windsurfing events. The World Cup Sylt was the first event to be included in 2024 to celebrate the 40th staging of this event. Fans and organisers now have the opportunity to nominate other long-standing events for inclusion in the Hall of Fame. The Events Hall complements the existing categories and emphasises the importance of long-term, consistent events for the development and popularity of windsurfing.
Criteria for the nomination and decision
To be considered for induction into the Windsurfing Hall of Fame, nominees must fulfil certain criteria. Candidates must be at least 50 years old by 31 December 2025. There are no restrictions regarding nationality - people of any origin can be nominated. It is important to note that a person can only be included in one category of the Windsurfing Hall of Fame. Posthumous nominations are also possible in order to honour deserving personalities who are no longer with us. From all nominations, only a select group of candidates will be put forward for voting in each category. The more information, press reports and photos that support the nomination, the higher the chances that the candidate will make it to the final selection round. There, a committee of selected experts and people who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame will then decide on the new members of the "Class of 2026".
The nomination process is deliberately kept simple in order to receive as many suggestions as possible from the global windsurfing community. If you would like to nominate a person, please send an e-mail to windsurfhof@gmail.com with a detailed explanation of why the candidate deserves the honour of being inducted into the Windsurfing Hall of Fame. Detailed information about the nominee's achievements and contributions to the sport of windsurfing will increase the chances of a successful nomination. Supporting materials such as press articles, PR reports and photos are particularly welcome as they facilitate the evaluation of the nomination and document the nominee's achievements.
All previous members and information at windsurfinghalloffame.com
