Henry “Hoyle” Schweitzer April 8, 1933 - May 31, 2026

Picture


It is with great sadness we must mark the passing of a great man in the history of windsurfing - Hoyle Schweitzer. The sport as we know it would probably not exist were it not for his vision and ideas all those years ago.

This text is written by his daughter-in-law Shawneen Schweitzer, married to his son Matt, who is also in the Rider's Hall of Fame, Class of 2021.
​
In loving memory of Henry “Hoyle” Schweitzer April 8, 1933 - May 31, 2026

Henry Hoyle Schweitzer passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026 at the age of 93 years old, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of innovation, adventure, Family, and Aloha. Hoyle was the devoted husband of Diane Schweitzer for 70 wonderful years. Together, they built a life centered on love, partnership, and exploration. Hoyle was a supportive and loving father to Tara Clawson, Matt Schweitzer, and Ted Schweitzer and their spouses Scott Clawson, Shawneen Schweitzer and Brad Bickle. He was also a cherished grandfather to Matty, Zane, and Shelby Schweitzer, and Brittany Cowan, Justine Clawson, and Kira Clawson. His great joy in later years was his growing family. He was the proud great grandfather of Sage, Atlas, Nova, and Kahele Schweitzer, and Cali, Jayden, Lexi, and Izzy Cowan. Hoyle served as a role model, whose wisdom, encouragement, and adventurous spirit touched generations. Hoyle is perhaps best known as one of the pioneers who introduced Windsurfing to the world.

Through his company, Windsurfer International, Winsurf Magazine and the international Schools of Windsurfing, he helped transform a novel idea into a global phenomenom. His vision and dedication played a significant role in the rapid growth of Windsurfing and its eventual inclusion in the Olympic Games. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the sport.

Hoyle was inducted into the US Sailing Hall of Fame in 2021 and into the International Windsurfing Hall of Fame. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Hoyle was an avid surfer, sailor, inventor, and ocean enthusiast. Following retirement, he and Diane embarked on one of the greatest adventures of their lives, spending seven years aboard their beloved 65 foot yacht, Palolo, exploring the coastlines and waterways of North and Central America before returning home to the Hawaiian islands. Today we celebrate the man we admired. Fair winds & calm seas Hoyle. Your journey continues in the hearts of all who knew and loved you.

Thoughts and condolences to all of the Schweitzer family on this terribly sad loss. 

​Apologies but we do not know the photographers involved and have used these from Shawneen's post thank you. 
Picture
Hoyle back in the day with an original Windsurfer...

The 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees are announced

Picture
In the Women’s Riders Class of 2025, four exceptional athletes were nominated. Following a significant outpouring of support from the public and the Hall of Fame community, we are proud to induct the legendary Julie de Werd (USA).

Julie was a formidable competitor and a pioneer of wave sailing and reached the pinnacle of the sport in 1984 when she became the Women's World Wave Champion, during the formative years of the WSMA world tour.

As a leading figure in the early days of the professional tour, she contributed tremendously to help shape the sport we love, and throughout her career, she remained a cornerstone of the sport.

Though she is no longer with us, the overwhelming wave of support in her memory ensures her legacy is forever etched alongside her peers in the Windsurfing Hall of Fame.
Photo  Courtesy Greg Huglin.


Men’s Riders Class
​Due to an exceptionally competitive and large field of nominees in the Men’s Riders Class, three riders have been selected to join this year's ranks.

It gives us great pleasure to invite Josh Angulo Angulo Caboverde, Josh Stone, and Mike Gebhardt Gebi Kites to officially join the Class of 2025. All 3 are from the USA, though Josh Angulo now resides and represents Cape Verde.
These men have all contributed to the pinnacle of our sport and so we celebrate their incredible achievements and welcome them into the Class of 2025 Hall of Fame.
​
Photo credits: Angulo - Carter/PWA; Gebhardt - unknown: Stone - Jimmie Hepp. Thanks all.
Picture
Josh Angulo
Picture
Josh Stone
Picture
Mike Gebhardt
Picture
Our next announcement takes us to the Craftsmen Hall, celebrating our Shapers, Sailmakers, and Innovators.
We are honoured to welcome Keith Teboul (US-60) to the Class of 2025. Based in Maui, Keith is globally recognized as a master board shaper. Congratulations to Keith, whose induction follows an overwhelming vote of appreciation for his lifelong contributions to the sport.

Photo: Fish Bowl Diaries from SURF Magazin
Picture

​Pioneers & Promoters Category 
Following a second posthumous nomination (first in 2023) by Windsurfing Hall of Fame Patron Dick Lamb, Glenn Taylor has received overwhelming support in the voting process this time, and officially joins the Class of 2025 in the Pioneers & Promoters category.

A legendary San Francisco dealer, Taylor was a visionary who developed the first on-shore simulator and authored the definitive "Bible" of beginner windsurfing instruction. As the premier dealer in the Bay Area, he pioneered iconic events like the Golden Gate Crossing—the largest single-day event of its era. A dominant force throughout the 1970s,

Taylor was known as the "Master of the Bay," perfecting heavy-air techniques and winning nearly every local race he entered. His lifelong passion for the sport remains an inspiration to thousands of sailors worldwide, and he is warmly welcomed into the Windsurfing Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.  
Media Category
The final category for the Class of 2025 is Media. We received an exceptional calibre of talent this year and more nominations than usual, and have expanded the list of inductees to reflect the depth of the field. After a closely contested vote, we are proud to welcome three legendary names into the Windsurfing Hall of Fame (4 people!).
  • Fish Bowl Diaries (Sofie Louca & Paul Karaolides): Based in Maui, this powerhouse duo have redefined the visual language of windsurfing. Known for their keen artistic eye, they have captured the sport's most breathtaking moments in recent years, cementing their status as modern masters of photography with a worldwide reputation.
  • Alex Williams: A veteran of the lens with a global footprint, Alex has been producing superb imagery for decades. His work has graced the pages of the world’s most prestigious magazines and books, and is renowned for his expertise – huge respect for someone who I have been to countless events with over the years
  • Jonathan Weston: A visionary whose influence spans over 40 years, Jonathan is a pioneer in every sense. From his iconic videos of the ’80s and ’90s to his prolific writing and photography, his contribution is enormous. Jonathan is the founder of the Windsurfing Hall of Fame itself—having launched, funded, and championed the project in its early days. Today, he rightly takes his place among the legends he has helped honour (with a u!) .
Top pic - Alex Williams; Jonathan Weston with early headcam; Sofie and Paul.


​The Windsurfing Hall of Fame is now open for the 2025 Class nominations.

Who will you nominate for this year’s famous Hall of Fame? Who deserves the recognition for their achievements in the sport over the years and a place alongside the greats in windsurfing from yesteryear?

The ONLY way nominations are accepted is to send your nominations via email to - [email protected]
Our Mission: - To recognize the remarkable people the sport of windsurfing for fame, achievement, character, longevity, and their contribution to the sport.

Please read the qualifying criteria below to ensure your nominee/s are eligible to be included this year.

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, please send an email to [email protected] and tell us why you wish to nominate the person you have chosen, and explain what, in your opinion, they have done to earn this honour of being inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame. The more information you can provide, the higher chance there will be of your candidate making it to the final stage of the nominations. Please provide any press or PR and photos to support your submission which will help us.

The nomination period will close on November 15th, 2025, at midnight GMT/London.

The following categories are available –
  • Riders Hall – for those that have spent their careers competing in the sport at the highest levels nationally and internationally. Please see former inductees here https://www.windsurfinghalloffame.com/riders-hall.html which include people such as Robby Naish, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Rhonda Smith Sanchez, Ken Winner, Jenna de Rosnay and many more.
  • Craftsmen’s Hall – for Shapers, Sail Makers, and Innovators. This is for those people who have been instrumental in helping the development of the sport with their designs in board shaping, sail creation, and innovations in any area of the sport that have helped it evolve for the better.
  • Media Hall – for photographers, filmmakers, and journalists. People who have been involved in the sport’s coverage and promotion on a world stage at the top of the game.
  • Pioneers and Promoters Hall - for people who have been involved in staging windsurfing events, promoting the sport, or creating new concepts that have helped grow and develop the sport over many years. Link to this new Hall: https://www.windsurfinghalloffame.com/.../windsurfing...
  • There is also a newly formed Events Hall for the longest running windsurfing events, and nominations for the 2025 which are opening for the first time now. The Sylt World Cup in Germany was the first to be included in 2024 to celebrate the 40th staging of this world class event.
Nominee criteria for people:
  • Minimum of 50 years of age by December 31st 2025
  • There are no nationality restrictions. Any nationality is included
  • A person may only be nominated/inducted in one category in the WHoF
  • Nominees may be suggested posthumously also
Only a select group of nominees will be put forward for voting in each Class.

The ONLY way nominations are accepted are to send your nominations via email to - [email protected]

Photo Robby Naish by Darrell Wong
​

The Windsurfing Hall of Fame is now inviting entries for the 2024 Class nominations.

This is your opportunity to suggest who you feel should be recognised for their achievements in the sport over the years. This will be the fourth year of inductees to the Hall of Fame, and there will once again be a voting process to follow when the nominees are selected.

Our Mission: - To recognize the remarkable people the sport of windsurfing for fame, achievement, character, longevity, and their contribution to the sport.
Please read the qualifying criteria below.

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, please send an email to [email protected] and tell us why you wish to nominate the person you have chosen, and explain what, in your opinion, they have done to earn this honour of being inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame.

The more you can write and the more information you can provide, the higher chance there will be of your candidate making it to the final stage of the nominations. Please provide any press or PR and photos to support your submission which will help us.
The nomination period will close on November 10th 2024 at midnight GMT.

You can nominate people in the following categories –
  • Riders Hall – for those that have spent their careers competing in the sport at the highest levels nationally and internationally. Please see former inductees here https://www.windsurfinghalloffame.com/riders-hall.html which include people such as Robby Naish, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Rhonda Smith Sanchez, Ken Winner, Jenna de Rosnay and many more.
  • Craftsmen’s Hall – for Shapers, Sail Makers and Innovators. This is for those people who have been instrumental in helping the development of the sport with their designs in board shaping, sail creation, and innovations in any area of the sport that have helped it evolve for the better.
  • Media Hall – for photographers, filmmakers and journalists. People who have been involved in the sport’s coverage and promotion to a national or international audience.
  • Pioneers and Promoters Hall - for people who have been involved in staging windsurfing events, promoting the sport, or creating new concepts that have helped grow and develop the sport over many years. Link to this new Hall created last year: https://www.windsurfinghalloffame.com/.../windsurfing...
  • There is also a newly formed Events Hall for the longest running windsurfing events, and nominations for the 2025 Class will open next year.
Nominee criteria:
  • Minimum of 50 years old;
  • There are no nationality restrictions;
  • May only be nominated/inducted in one category in the HoF;
  • Nominees may be suggested posthumously;
Send your nominations now to - [email protected]

WORLD CUP SYLT INDUCTED
INTO HALL OF FAME

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
A new Windsurfing Hall of Fame category has been launched, a 'Windsurfing Events' Hall, and the very first event was inducted into this at a special ceremony in Germany on October 4th 2024.

The Citroen Windsurf World Cup Sylt celebrated it's 40th anniversary edition this week and becomes the inaugural member in this newly created 'Hall'.

Organisers Mathias Neumann and Birgit Ballhause were also inducted into the 'Pioneers and Promoters' Class of 2024 in recognition of the many years work they have put into making the event the success it has been on the PWA World Tour for so long, known as one of the biggest prize money events for many years.

Also presented with a commemorative photo was Jorg Elias of the Sylt Tourism bureau who has been instrumental in working with the event over many years.

On stage in Sylt, SURF Magazin Chief Editor, Andreas Erbe, a Media Hall of Famer in the Class of 2021 was recognised with a certificate, as was PWA photographer John Carter, who is also in the Class of 2021.

No ceremony would be complete on Sylt without Bjorn Dunkerbeck, who is an icon of the event after competing here for so many years, a household name in Germany, and is also in the Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

The ceremony was live streamed and hosted by Cliff Webb and Ingo Meyer, an ex-pro windsurfer, in English and German, and can be watched in full below,
hosted by Ben Proffitt.

John Carter's photos - Left to right in photo above:
Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Birgit Ballhouse, Matthias Neumann, Jorg Elias (Sylt Tourism),
Andreas Erbe, WHoF Executive Director Cliff Webb.

Picture
 First Ever Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Le Defi!

The first ever Windsurfing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in association with Surf Magazine took place at the amazing Le Defi event in Gruissan, South of France on May 9th 2024.

It was a celebration of stars in the history of the sport, who made the journey to be part of this historic ceremony, which was live streamed and set before the audience in France.

The Legends gathered, many of whom had not been together for years, and enjoyed the opportunity to swap stories of former days and events, almost like and old school reunion ahead of the ceremony itself.

Taking to the stage were 13 Windsurfing Hall of Famers', Ken Winner, Pete Cabrinha, Peter Thommen, Annie Gardner, Bruce Wylie, Nevin Sayre, Brian Talma, Monty Spindler, Willem Blaauw, Nancy Johnson, Micheil Boumeester, Antoine Albeau and Bjorn Dunkerbeck. Joining post ceremony was freestyle star Gary Eversole too.

During the ceremony, the stars were called on stage to speake to the audience, and the stories they told of their history of the sport and their experiences were enthralling for all of the fans.

It was an outstanding success in celebrating the achievements of these stars of yesteryear, thoroughly enjoyed by the audience worldwide and in person. Each was presented with a wooden engraved HoF plaque, and in the aftermath of the celebrations, these were signed by each person for immortality

Plans are well advanced for the next HoF induction after this inaugural event....

Picture

Surf Magazin Germany supports the
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
We are pleased to announce that the famous and internationally renowned Surf Magazin, probably the longest running windsurfing magazine in the world, is supporting the Hall of Fame ceremony at Defi Wind, and through 2024. Thanks to Andreas Erbe, Chefredakteur, and his team at Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH for their valuable support.



Windsurfing Hall of Fame first ever induction ceremony.

The Windsurfing Hall of Fame is to stage it's first ever induction ceremony at the famous Defi Wind event in Gruissan, south of France on May 9th, an event that will see many of the sport's legends honoured for their achievements over the years.

There will be videos, music, and stars on stage, and those already confirmed include the 42-times world champion, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, so too Antoine Albeau who won 25 world titles in a stunning career, and Mr 'Irie Man' Brian Talma from Barbados. From former years coming from the USA, US-9 Nevin Sayre, a top world tour regular through the early years, also freestyle specialist Andrea Livingstone who created unique moves on the original Windsurfer boards and won many titles, and four time women’s world champion Nancy Johnson. Others include one of the sport's early pioneers, a multiple national and world champion, US-1 Ken Winner, while former speed sailing world record holder Fred Haywood from Maui is also aiming to attend, as is former world champion and world tour star, S-10, Sweden's Anders Bringdal, who are among more looking to join in.  

Founded in 2021 by film-maker Jonathan Weston, The Windsurfing Hall of Fame (WSHOF) has recognised three 'Classes' of riders so far, in 2021,'22 and '23 and the list of those included to date is a 'Who's Who' of Windsurfing's history. There are also categories for 'Shapers & Craftsmen' in the sport, 'Pioneers', and 'Media'. www.windsurfinghalloffame.com

The organisers of Defi Wind have created what is said to be the world’s largest water sports event, and have welcomed the staging of this first WSHOF ceremony, as a major attraction for everyone involved. An estimated 1400 windsurfers race together in a sensational spectacle, over one of the longest race courses of 40km, in strong 'Tramontana' winds, and the 2024 event will be the 22nd edition staged. Unusually, it is open to both amateur and pro-riders, all competing together on the same race track. Enthusiasts from all corners of the globe come together to share their passion at the event, and there are exhibition stands packed with equipment, and concerts in the evenings https://defiwind.fr/en/

Phillipe Bru created the event which now sees both wing foiling and kiting events take place before the windsurfing, and was pleased to include this special attraction to the event, ''We are really excited to have the honour of hosting the first ever Windsurfing Hall of fame ceremony at Defi Wind. Every windsurfer knows about the legends of the sport and the evolution that has taken place over the past 50-years', so to have these stars come to our event to receive this recognition in front of the public and fans, will be just a wonderful moment''.

Having recently taken on the role of Executive Director for the Hall of Fame, TV producer and director Cliff Webb commented, ''Phillipe and his team at Defi Wind have been incredibly helpful and enthusiastic about having the ceremony as part of their event, so we are very grateful to them. Getting in touch with all of these people again to see if they can come to France for the ceremony, after so many years, is just amazing, and the response we've had from the Hall of Famer's involved is just humbling, all are welcome. We have a lot of work to do with our vision for the Hall of Fame, but we are looking to create a legacy for the sport to remember it’s greatest stars''.

The Windsurfing Hall of fame induction ceremony will take place on May 9th, at around 19.30 hours, subject to completion of racing. It is planned to be on the main stage outside, so that the maximum amount of people can join in and enjoy what is sure to be like ‘The Oscars of windsurfing’, and a 'magnifique' moment of history in the sport.
PIONEERS and PROMOTERS
​(NEW CATEGORY BEING VOTED ON)


SPONSORS

MAUI GLORY DAYS (BOOK)
travelswithtoby.com
WIND GODDESS RETREATS
RHONDA SMITH SANCHEZ, gARY EVERSOLE, NEVIN SAYRE,
​Annie GARDNER, Peter Raftery, Amy ellison
SURF FESTIVAL GERMANY
​TONIX PRODUCTIONS
DARRELL WONG PHOTOGRAPHY
ERIK AEDER PHOTOGRAPHY
GORDINHO

Photos Top to Bottom: Robby Naish, photo Darrell Wong. Robert Masters/Bjorn Dunkerbeck, photo Darrell Wong, Rush Randle, photo Jonathan Weston, Jimmy Lewis, Bruce Matlack, Photog unknown, Sunset Magazine.