Jim Drake, Father of Windsurfing, has died.

allen · Joined: 13 Aug 1996 Posts: 196

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/rands-father-of-windsurfing-james-drake-dies-at-83/2012/06/23/gJQAwQTtxV_blog.html

squirleyd · Joined: 24 Apr 2000 Posts: 32

sore forearms and blisters and 'the claw' and the operations and daze and the joy of planning to pass this on to my kin.

best. invention. ever.

thanks,

DD (CA)

SWE106 · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 258 Location: San Mateo

Sad day for windsurfing. We owe him very much!!!!

sail-n-ski · Joined: 04 Apr 2000 Posts: 23

Sad news indeed

stevenbard · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 2731

Let's not let this be a metaphor for our sport. Everyone get out there and try to teach some young people how to windsurf.

I must agree that Jims youthful excitement in the early days of Windsurfing, enriched all of our lives. RIP

windoggie · Joined: 22 Feb 2002 Posts: 1889

RIP Jim. I think he would be happy to know that there seems to be an increase in beginners at the Berkeley marina. Good to see.

jeff_bennett64 · Joined: 13 Jul 2000 Posts: 63 Location: Maui

Drake's paper, "Wind Surfing - a new concept in sailing", is a good read, with clear descriptions and drawings. It's available as a free PDF from Rand:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4076.html

Karen

koogzah · Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 442 Location: right here

Sad to hear this. Met him a few times while a friend was renting a room in his house in Malibu. Very cool guy.

devaprakash · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 8

"once wind-surfing is mastered, it gives a unique and heady blend of sporting thrills" - James Drake
It takes a Genius to invent a mesmerizing sports like this.

-Deva

cagjr21150 · Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 276

Reflections, stories, remembrances, insights...

A big thank you to the man who made our beloved sport possible...

http://danewsblog.blogspot.com/