Mark Angulo is widely respected as the most creative, stylish wavesailor of our time. While the new generation has taken his moves to new heights, it was he who shattered the template of common surfing maneuvers. The Gu Screw, the Goiter, the upside down head flipping calm in the pit of the storm – that was Mark. It was easy for him, with Ed Angulo shaping the boards, Barry Spanier crafting his sails; all he had to do was go out and play in front of photographers begging for his fin to scar their helmet. Or was it? After winning the Aloha Classic, he would be lured away from his perfect paradise to pursue the world circuit, where onshore winds and two foot slop awaited him. This did not go well, but he would come back and prove again that he was the evil genius. He was the master of this domain, this Ho'okipa, that Backyards, and then... Jaws. With his tight-knit crew of "Strappers," they would utilize every formula known to surfer and then invent some. In God's Hands, in God's heart, everyone who has come to know Mark knows what his is made of, or do they? Pure of heart, pure of joy, full of music, he struggles like many of the great ones have. There is one thing for certain, that no matter what, Mark Angulo will be remembered as one of the great ones. And so they beg for another comeback.
Mark in his first heyday, photo Weston
Your first windsurfing experience? "At Haleiwa, Kawela Bay. I had many teachers, but my Father, Ed, made many things possible. My first wavesailing experience was at Backyards. I was hooked."
Favorite minute of windsurfing? "I was shooting alone at Monster Mush with the late, and may I say great, Warren Bolster. It was 3.5 weather and I flubbed this bottom turn , flew out the back , got back winded and rotated to where I could see the bottom of the wave again. The 360 was born of an error followed by nature.."
What would you like to be remembered for in this sport? "For who I was, I had highs and lows, but I just loved windsurfing so much. Remember me as someone that loves the wind and loves my family, loves Jesus, and loves my friends."
Favorite minute of windsurfing? "I was shooting alone at Monster Mush with the late, and may I say great, Warren Bolster. It was 3.5 weather and I flubbed this bottom turn , flew out the back , got back winded and rotated to where I could see the bottom of the wave again. The 360 was born of an error followed by nature.."
What would you like to be remembered for in this sport? "For who I was, I had highs and lows, but I just loved windsurfing so much. Remember me as someone that loves the wind and loves my family, loves Jesus, and loves my friends."
F the Circus. Mark returns home to rip as a soul surfer on Simmer Style, photo
Erik Aeder
Pretty sure that's a Mutant. Photo Jono Knight.
Mark at Jaws. Photo Erik Aeder
MYOOOOHOOtant. Photo John Carter
Jimmy Hepp photo