 Pitchforks! Run for the hills! I found it funny that I've had so few arguments over sailors chosen for the Rider's Hall of Fame. Hardly a peep out of anyone for both Class of 2021 nor 2022, just announced. I only get one vote as member of the WHOF Selection Committee, but I also weigh in heavily, after discussion with the SC, on how many get in. But this is not about that. It's about the newly developed categories, the first to be announced in particular: PHOTOGRAPHERS, FILMMAKERS, JOURNALIST. When I posted the inductees on FB Group WHOF, a lot of hands went up. What about this guy? What about that guy? Every pond has its pontificating pontif! Everyone gets a prize!  Why not EVERYONE GETS A PRIZE? For one, it takes a great deal of computer hours to wrangle and write content, graphically design bio pages and individual plaques. It's my free time gone to hell. I have a regular job and three book projects in the way. There are steep web hosting and computer/software expenses (my job won't let me use theirs anymore), with very few people pitching in with support. For two, it waters the golden waters down. There are a couple of guys I put in because I feel they deserve to be there, have dedicated their lives to the sport. Though I may not judge their imagery to be on par with those top shelf guys, who am I to judge? Longevity and passion for the sport are key to entry.
One other criterion was, How did they influence others to enter the sport, or changed their lives with their imagery or wordsmithering inspiration? Okay, not a word. There a couple of guys with their picture on that wall that were not really in it for the passion of the sport. It was more of a side gig to surfing and a way to make money. But they recognized the beauty of the sport and had a great INTERNATIONAL impact on others. A few like Tonix were late to the ballot due to drained memory cells, but those guys had passion and skills. Here's my consolation prize: I will create a list that follows those portraits titled, OTHER GREAT CONTRIBUTORS to the sport, and if you think so strongly about it, you should have campaigned ahead of time on WHOF FB site. I called for it, nothing but crickets and Buelhler's. Better yet, put your money where your mouse is and donate to the Windsurfing Hall Of Fame. Without your support, the whole thing will be gone with the wind. Thanks for reading and your passion, your participation. Jonathan Weston Founder/President Windsurfing Hall Of Fame
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 What's new with the Windsurfing Hall of Fame? A lot going on here I can tell you, so why don't I begin with the Facebook Windsurfing Hall of Fame page Nationality Polls. Each day, I've been posting a poll for a new nationality (and in some cases, grouping nations so this doesn't take all year). Those playing along can add names by scrolling down and using the Options field. The criteria of the candidate being at least 50 years old, not already in the 2021 WHOF Class, and unless otherwise stated, born and raised in that country.
What will become of these polls? Is this just a game? This particular group is an Open FB group, therefore the audience is not vetted based on their experience and knowledge of the spor (only recently were the animals herding into the barn given a door full of questions). The younger body of voters leans toward who they have been exposed to. That said, this is a hall of FAME, therefore, many names still in the limelight seem to be rising to the top. However, it is also evident that many incredible sailors that should be at the top are garnishing only one or two votes. So the answer is yes, it's just a game. So why do it? The original intention was to shed light on the people from all nations, that may not have ventured onto the international stage. Unfortunately, some of these incredible sailors who have long been retired or fled to ahem, other sports, feel slighted by the results. This is the downside of running any poll, and my apologies to them. They most likely will see themselves on the official ballot regardless of these "fun" polls, which are not fun to all. The results are there to see for all members of the Official WHOF Voting Body and WHOF Selection Committee. There are two separate, closed and private groups. And...those that are receiving a ton of votes will most likely be seen on the official ballot. Their names are not surprising, and they do have a ring of Fame to their names. Currently, the newly selected Selection Committee are voting on opening up pages for categorization of the WHOF: Photographers, Media, Sailmakers, Innovaters, Shapers, Pioneers... to name just a few. Stay tuned! JW The following criteria will be used to select the Windsurfing Hall of Fame Class of 2022: 1. All candidates must be 50 or older as of 2022. 2. There will be up to 15 candidates inducted, based their achievements, sport longevity and character. 3. The candidates will be officially nominated by the WHOF Voting Body, presenting the top 3 vote winners in one of each of the following categories to the Selection Committee. Here are the categories being presented to the Selection Committee:
4. The Selection Committee will decide close races, with the option of a Selection Committee runoff poll. 5. The Acting President gets one final pick. 6. The FB page, Windsurfing Hall of Fame will be used to place candidates on the ballot. 8. Campaigns will close on Aug. 1, with Voting Body voting to take place Sept. 1, Selection Committee voting closing by Oct. 1, Announcement of WHOF Class of 2022 on November 15. May the best win!  Just in case you wingers don't know your history, the same man who designed and co-developed the original Windsurfer, also designed the first wing. Don't have to read German to know that this man is hall of famer Jim Drake. Jim was the first person selected by the original PWA HOF. Looking at the logo, the sail was sewed by none other than RN's sailmaker of original choice, Andre Lefevre, and the rider, none other than poster boy Pete Cabrinha. Also involved in this project was Surf Editor, Ulli Stanciu. Thanks to Surf Magazine and photogs John Speer, Kaoru Sorihata, and Gerd Kloos, and to David Drake for the discovery.  Of course, looking back on things, Hoyle was the great promotor (Diane the media master) who made the original Windsurfer fly. If together, they had entrepreneurial interest in this project as well, perhaps winging would have taken flight much sooner. Conjecture! In the end, it wound up being Pete and many others who would Duo profit from the unpatented design, eventually developing kites and wings cha-ching. Read more in Surfer Today.
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