RIP Mike Perry

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

Not sure if any on this forum knew Mike, but he passed away sadly last week of Pancreatic cancer. Last night on Maui's north shore there was a gathering and a flower drop in his honor. Many people were in attendance. As well, earlier in the week there was a ceremony and a small paddle out in Cayucos where he lived for a while, running a pizza restaurant there. He was a super nice friend and an extraordinary waterman, having started with surfing and sailing, then on to windsurfing as an early adopter. I did not know him as a windsurfer but no doubt he ripped. He ended up on Maui where he kitesurfed, SUP'ed, foiled, surfed, etc... until he just could not do it anymore. I would love to hear from any of the Cali people who knew him, as that was before our friendship.

As Mike would always say "Aloha Amigo!". RIP

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

RIP'er....

SpeedRoo · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 89

Super nice bloke. Did a few flights down to Baja with him in his Cessna for some wavesailing. Last time I saw him we flew out to Catalina Island for a Buffalo burger for lunch. He was Mr. North Sails back in those days.

kevinkan · Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco

kind of funny... I met him before I got into windsurfing as he was the Morrow Snowboards and DaKine rep. It wasn't until years after I got into windsurfing and read about him in IIRC the Windtracks Journal PSC article (~20 pages) that I saw his name and connected the dots. Always the nicest guy... even if you were just some dumb snowboard kid working in the shop.

Talked to him briefly last year... was hoping to see him in Maui, but we didn't get a chance to meet up. Regretting that now.

Was really nice to see pictures of young Mike as I only really knew him as an older post-windsurfing gentleman.

Here are a couple pics that stood out:

SPQR · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 274

Sad to hear. That last picture is great, reminds me of a similar picture of Mike Waltz flying high on the Big Island on a Standard Windsurfer or maybe a Rocket 99, wave riding and jumping with no harness lines.

gerritt · Joined: 06 May 1998 Posts: 632 Location: Redwood City, CA

Loving the one piece mast shoulder bag set up. I'll bet the sail is rolled around the mast and stashed inside as a single unit. Just don't turn any sharp corners. So styling. Anyone who could pull that off is someone I'd have liked to have met. RIP fellow waterman.

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

A few more recent photos and one not so recent of mike and his dog Freckles. She never left his side. Sigh...

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

Ah, one more....

theq · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 707

I remember hearing Mike's name now and again, but I can't quite place whether I ever spoke to him. Obviously a great guy, with a great dog.

Dang pancreatic takes no prisoners. Sad. May he find perpetual steady winds and frequent sets. RIP.