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Clinton News-Record, 1984-07-11, Page 32► Board sailing taking off By Rod Hilts It has taken aver a decade and boardsailing is finally being accepted as a 'serious sport. For many years the sport was perceived by many as a pastime for wild, carefree beach bums. The image of the sport has changed. It is quickly becomes the sport of the '80s. In fact, this year it's going to become an Olympic event. This international recognition should add to the already feverish popularity of these crafts. "Mosquito -like sailboats" is the best way to describe the look of these swift -sailing windjammers, Spotting them on Lake Huron is no problem. Their versicolored sails against the blue horizon is a sight that is hard to miss and not easily forgotten. In Bayfield this spring, three men combined their efforts and knowledge of the sport to open a business to sell these crafts. Just off Main Street in Bayfield is a small shop located beside Mr. Woodchuck, where Alex Shevchuk, Mark Stephens and Brian Semple operate their business. The Bayfield trio agree that because it's the first-ever Olympic year for the sport, business should prosper. "Business has been good. But because this is our first year m business, you never know how you're doing until the year's over," Alex noted. These gents say anyone can operate a sailboard. "Once you've done it, it's like riding a bicycle," they said. However, body size, weight, and strength. are all factors closely linked with an individual's performance on a sailboard. Naturally, experience improves one's performance on one. Some avid sailboarders describe the sport as a "beautiful, feeling of being close to the elements and controlling the board with small body movements." Boardsailing, referred to sometimes by a trade name "wind surfing", jumped into Olympic status this year, due in part to it's booming popularity in Europe. The International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) recognized its rising popularity and recommended that boardsailing be included in the 1984 Olympics. In March of 1983, the International Olympic Committee voted to include boardsailing in the Olympics. Only one person can represent each country in the race. Boardsailors don't have to travel to Europe or the United States _ to enjoy the sport. the Bayfield area"canks with the best. Experienced, boardsailers from across Ontario are calling the sailing conditions here "world class". Obviously, compliments like that have a positive reflection on business. Sailboards Bayfield is a new business in the village that is promoting and selling a variety of sailboard crafts. The reputation of the sport is changing and it is quickly becoming the sport of the '80s. Pictured are owners (from left) Mark Stephens, Brian Semple and Alex Shevchuk. (Rod Hilts photo) THE VILLAGE GUILD. Bayfield GIFT STORE Silver Antique Jewellery Stamps for Collectors and more! OPEN MAY TO OCTOBER -SEVEN DAYS A WEEK JULY AND AUGUST 10 AM -6 PM MAY -JUNE, SEPTEMBER -OCTOBER 10 AM -5 PM NEW! OPEN WEEKENDS NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 10 AM -5 PVI THE VILLAGE GUILD Bayfield, Ont. 565-2Z66 • "It's (public's response) been very encouraging. With the proper promotion, the sport will be here into the 21st century," Mark said. Since the birth of sailboards in 1968, the sport has flourished into a multi-million dollar business. The major manufacturers of sailboards are from Europe but more and more are springing up across the United States. Sailboards Bayfield carries three main board, lines and four sail brands. Manufacturers are from Germany, Holland and Austria. There are six major manufacturers from Europe. Mark explained that in Europe, the sport has become so popular, people have to rent beach spaceto sail their boards. The majority of Europeans prefer to limit their sailboarding to the more conservative approach - triangular racing - a la traditional yachting style. This will be the style of sailboarding used in the Los Angeles Olympics this year. In the United States, the sport has taken off in ardifferent direction, adding freestyle sailboarding as a new facet to the sport. In a typical Californian, free-spiritedstyle, bar fancy, dips doodlee moves toitlbovbeat oof fancy, dipsy- American's top 10 tunes. "One of the reasons for boards being so popular is that you can do your own thing with them," Mark said. Four years ago, the owners of Sailboards Bayfield decided to turn talk into action. "We used to operate sailboats and we just thought we'd give sailboards a whirl ourselves to see what it was like. It was something different," Alex recalls. "Four years ago we were armchair pros. We finally bummed a board and went boardsailing. It took us a weekend to figure it out," Mark explained. Mark added that beginners should take lessons before they head out onto the lake by themselves. He said it could save on a lot of frustration. Lessons are available upon request at Sailboards Bayfield. Although the Bayfield trio have only been into sailboarding for four years, they have seen dramatic technological advancements m the craft's design. "The product is developing to quite a large extent. It's come a long way from a surf board with a sail," Alex noted. Mark classifies today's improved sailboard as a "second generation fun board". "Manufacturers are becoming more scientific in their approach to the sport. The boards are more responsive and easier to sail. The stuff is user friendly," he added. Research and development is a big factor Turn to page 11 441 �� cajIijjr it, .mss. . 1\ ‘419- _CR< BAYFIELD...THE HOME OF taa 4,baLiJ rt • CUSTOM CATERED BAKING QUICHES AND CARROT CAKES 100% NATURAL INGREDIENTS CALL JO -AN 565-2421 ""Take a Shady Lady to Lunch"