European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 6, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine surfing is gone with the wind by William d. Murray United press internationals surfing became a near religious experience in the California of Iho 1960s the Mem cry o Burl s up1 would lure thousands of teens and College aged youths to the Pacific Ocean beaches irom sea l towns and major cities along the coast armed Wilh clipboards nicknames like Moon Doggie and tanned bodies these disciples of Iho Waves became America s image of Cali Lorma in the 1970s the sport began to Ano and in the current decade. One hardly hears anything about Trade Honnol sure mrs except in wine cooler commercials Bui us tag has nol died instead a variation of the sport windsurfing has become a mul million Doliar Mullinay Rcd Industry e. In 1984, Industry analysis reported approximately 50,000 new windsurfing boards were sold and projections showed at least a 20 percent growth in the sport in both 19b5and 1986 there Are a number of ways 1o we surf. The first is simple adaptation of Riding a wave like a Normal surfer. A second method. Which is used in most racing events is for groups of about 10 competitors to race on a slalom course the Sporl has caught on like  said Rhonda Smith one of the first women professionals is attraction is very Strong since there really in 1 an age limit. People irom 6 to 70 Are windsurfing " Smith is Ore of a select group of professional windsurfers who have begun to Cash in on the sport s popularity the Abc 5 of sports endorses automobile manufacturers Beer companies and cigarette makers have discovered the value of sponsoring events and having windsurfing stars promote their wares Smith is paid to Wear a variety of products from wetsuits to sunglasses Robby Naish. A world Champion lists Audi among his endorsements and Lisa fennel pitches freestyle watches and Decker shoes. Now with the professional series and contracts wild various sponsors you can make a Good living just  Smith said. The demographics Are perfect for a lol of these companies. The average windsurfer is about 25 to 40 years old and has an above average  demographics collected by Tho research staff in the Public relations department of Subaru of America inc showed that 83 percent of windsurfers Are male and 67 percent of the participant Are single the figures were Good enough for Subaru to sponsor a series of Amateur windsurfing events in 1984 and 1985. We Felt it was a great image for our  said Demse m Giggs. A Subaru spokeswoman but we ran into liability insurance problems this year and had to drop Oul As a sponsor though Subaru is gone an $80.000 pro am tour co sponsored by Stolichnaya Vodka s american importer Vort Tiwi Polo windsurfing it the child of 1980s turfing craze Monsieur Henri wines inc. And the stroll brewery co. Made six stops around the United states this year. We chose to sponsor a series of boards Hing events because the demographics Lor the sport Are nearly identical to those for  said Edward b. Winning president of Monsieur Henri wines. On the manufacturing front windsurfing remains a relative cottage Industry in the United slates. Foreign manufacturers have grabbed a lion s share of the multimillion Dollar Market. Companies like Sailboard designed by Brian Hyde of West Germany Gaastra sails of Sweden and Neil Pryde sails of Hong Kong have Well developed distributor networks in the United states. Windsurfing dollars have also become very important to Paia and Hood River. Paia was nearly a ghost town five years ago when a group of windsurfers discovered the natural wind Tunnel Elfeel thai Section of the Island s geography had on the Trade winds Paia Only had a Lew hippies fell Over from the 1960s living in it about five years ago said Paul Ehman. But windsurfing has had a huge effect Here. The growth has been termed an aspens nation of the area. When i first got Here there were Only two windsurfing shops. Now there Are 27 " aspens nation is a reference to the enormous growth that Aspen colo., underwent once it became a Mecca Lor skiers Ehman currently is doing a study in conjunction with he University of Hawaii on windsurfing Impact on the North Shore of Maui area. From the figures we be been Able to gather it appears that the local windsurfing Industry accounts for about to million  he said that figure does not include travel because travel figures have proven to be hard to collect " Ehman also said his research has shown that the average slay of a windsurfer is longer than the slay of a Normal tourist it s been our experience that people come Here for a month on the average if they Are Here to windsurf he said. While Paia is not zoned for hotels there has been a dramatic increase in vacation rentals. Vacation rentals have skyrocketed they Are out of  Ehman said. In Hood River port manager Jim o Banion said the sport has brought about $2.5 million in new business to an area hard hit by a depressed lumber Industry and an unsettled agribusiness environment. When you talk about Hood River you used to be talking about just two industries Forest products and agriculture o Banion said. Mow  has come along and is utilizing a new  mood River a own of 4.465, is located in the area of the Dalles ore., along the Columbia River. The geography is such thai from March to september there is a steady Breeze that goes opposite the River s Strong current o Banion said the area s work Force before windsurfing came to town was 650 people in about half a dozen plants. The local windsurfing Industry currently employs 110 people. Area officials however Are talking to another major manufacturer trying to lure the company to Oregon in Europe intrepid windsurfers Are Seldom discouraged by the cold and surf Well into the autumn. Almost any town or Village on a Lake or seacoast will have surfing equipment for rent and at least one windsurf school. Arc cautions that it s beat to learn on a Lake before tackling the Ocean. Lessons Are being taught daily at a fac Chi Emsee until sept. 28. Sign up at arc or Telephone the sports week program at military 2535 575, ets 440-2575 or civilian 08821-75710. Persons in Germany can use the new Tolfree number 0130-2775. Cost of the arc course is $45 per person or $39 for is and below and adult family members. Boards and wet suits can be rented but to rent one without signing up for lessons you must have a fled Cross sailing card. Saturday september 6, 1986 the stars and stripes Paga 13