Ed's Note:  This will be Chip’s last blast as Commodore.  It appears he has a replacement kidney lined up and will be undergoing the knife in the not too distant future.  He has stuck to his schedule hoping to be able to hang on as Commodore until June- well done Chip!  Come on out to the A&M Beach on June 15th and celebrate with us as we wish Chip the best in his upcoming ordeal and enjoy sailing with him for what may be the last time for awhile.  This will be a pot luck so remember to bring something tasty for the post sailing party (and very brief CCWA meeting) at Chip’s home.

Sailing Away   by  Louise Popplewell    reprinted from the Victoria Advocate 05/002/02
Port Lavaca -    John Meitzen’s days start with laps around the YMCA pool, followed by some gardening or tendering to his duties as chaplain of VFW Post 4403 before lunch and a short nap.  Then he heads for Magnolia Beach in his old blue station wagon with two or three sailboards strapped to the roof. 
     At 73, its something he’s been doing for for about 34 years.  After buying his first Windsurfer in 1973, John received a letter from the California manufacturer telling him that he had bought the first one sold in Texas.  He remembers that for the first few years, he was the only one out there.  “I was the Lone Ranger” he said.  He says the sport is popular in a lot of areas, and pretty much comes and goes in Calhoun County.  He considers it a safe sport and good exercise.
     “The higher the wind, the harder the workout but I don’t come home dragging.”  The only weather that keeps him off the water is very high winds.  Otherwise he sails five days a week.  He stresses ‘in any weather and talks about a winter in the mid-1980’s  when he had to break ice in Matagora bay to put his board in.  Looking lean and fit,  Meitzen makes a colorful picture sailing in the wind.  Until not long ago part of the  sailing experience was keeping his cigar lit.  He became something of a professional at keeping the stogie dry and lit.  He likes to tell about the time he fell off the board and a couple who circled back in a motorboat to see if he needed help.  When the boaters drew close, all they saw was an arm holding the lighted cigar sticking out of the water. “That woman thought that was the funniest thing”  Meitzen remembers with a chuckle.  However Meitzen no longer has a cigar clamped between his teeth.  He says he gave it up awhile back after some painful episodes of having to deal with burnt lips. 
     Another memory that brings a hearty laugh is the time he got in trouble with the law.  It is no longer required but back then it was the law to have a life jacket on board, even though the sailboard itself is classified as a floatation device.  So he rigged one up on the mast.  Feeling comfortable that he was obeying the law, Meitzen gave a wave and a big hello when he met up with a game warden. But as the warden boated closer for a chat, Meitzen watched helplessly as the life jacket floated away in the bay.  Before long a sheriff’s deputy showed up at Crockett Middle School where John was teaching and handed him a notice to appear in court.  “I thought it had been thrown out” he said.  “I beat that ticket though.  I was going to fight it I have a little brother who is a lawyer, so with my cheap lawyer I was going to trial and prove it was a floatation device.  When they did throw it out, I was disappointed in a way but I think my little brother was relieved.  I think he was reluctant to try.”
     After 33 years of teaching, that included 28 years at Crockett,  Meitzen retired in 1992 from public school.  He taught math and algebra at Laurel Academy in Port Lavaca until about five years ago.  In another teaching role, Meitzen has educated literally thousands of children swimming and the craft of windsurfing to scores of others. 
     Through the years he’s worn out six surfing vehicles and during his teaching years took a lot of teasing from students who said his was the junkiest car in the parking lot.  He’s now looking for a new used station wagon to replace his 1988 model.  “It runs fine’ he said “but the cars just rust out from being parked on the beach so long. 

Ed’s Note:  John Meitzen has been a member of the CCWA longer than I have, maybe we’ll get him tocome join us for one of our Events so we can have the pleasure of meeting him.  John Meitzen, the Coastal Bend’s first board sailor, is  one of the Coastal Bend’s  most dedicated.

Biff Goes Big Time   by  Racerguy
     Rigging up as usual for the evening sail last Wednesday, May 22, Biff and Racerguy observed a suspicious white rental Corolla pulling up to Oleander.  Its fenders were spewing foul smoke from the tires grinding up against them due to the mountain-sized stack of windsurfing gear lashed precariously to its roof racks.  From this unfortunate little car stepped none other than Gaastra Team members Phil McGain and Kevin Pritchard, arriving for the U.S. Open/USWA Nationals event.
     It was a rare treat to rig up with these two champions and spend a couple of hours tuning up alongside them.  Well, sort of.  Biff and Racerguy would head out with a huge head start, Phil and Kev would blow by, get ahead, then stop and have a few beers and cigars waiting for Biff and RG to catch up. (Just kidding, they're far too clean-living to indulge those vices.)
     On upwind to the former County Line restaurant they rode.  Kidding aside, it's stunning how high and fast these guys can point.  The contrast in speed did not seem quite so dramatic in downwind sailing, but these guys go upwind like they're on a chairlift.
     The Wednesday night MORF races were graced by the attendance of the self-same Messrs. McGain and Pritchard, plus Jimmy Diaz among other pros.  This was in addition to the usual gang of suspects, plus Buphee, Biff's Significant Other.  This was a very long course, taking windsurfers and boats alike all the way out to the big separator rig known to Bay sailors as Number Five.  On that day the rig lay straight upwind, nearly five miles out from the T-Heads.  KP finished with enough time to de-rig and do all his gift shopping before the first local came in.  Such was the Wednesday warm-up for the big event. Racerguy

2002 U.S. Open/Nationals- Nothing but A Party!
     Unlike most folks, my view of the 2002 edition began the day before the event, when Cole Park suddenly becomes the Event Site.  Its not all that sudden when you’re doing the work but having folks about who know what to do is certainly a major benefit.  As usual (since the first one I think) Gary Motl already knew where every tent peg went and where it was now hiding.  Bob Haraghy was the second in command and if he could be found first, he too seemed to share Gary’s vision and could tell you what you wanted to know.  With the announcement that this 15th US Open would be the last EM Marketing would manage, I realized how much the Event depends upon a whole lot more than just the actual sailors. 
     I also have come to realize the invaluable roles others play to make the US Open such a special Event for both the sport and Corpus Christi.  The Race Director, Greg Aguera, travels all the way from Hawaii and brings a ton of knowledge about how to do that job with him.  He had a tough time with a fleet of very aggressive sailors to contend with and did it right every time.  The courses he set were not easy but they were challenging for the sailors and entertaining for the spectators.  I hope we’ll see Greg next year. 
     The US Open has a sound all its own and that’s been supplied by Doc Doolittle for as long as I’ve attended our annual showcase.  This year Doc encountered a major snag when UPS decided to hold his shipment of audio CDs rather than deliver them to Corpus as instructed.  Between several of the locals, Doc soon had a full CD rack reflecting their eclectic tastes.  I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard James Brown and Patsy Cline played back to back but somehow Doc fit it all together.  Doc’s familiarity with the competitors and his windsurfing knowledge combined with hefty portion of showmanship  all combine to provide the spectators with nonstop race calling and other relevant information.  I guess I’d better include  Maggie Massey in the important folks catagory- Maggie came in from Austin to again flawlessly handle the starting flags. 
    A new and appreciated ‘cog’ in the Open’s structure this year was Jaime Torres.  Jaime not only competed but also set up a computerized scoring program that produced daily results and standings.  That program also provided final results in record time and Jaime sent me the results daily to be posted on the rec.windsurfing news group.  Jaime is a co-owner of Velauno, one of Puerto Rico’s best windsurfing shops.

Editor's Puffs:   by Roy Tansill
       That story on page two about long time CCWA member John Meitzen might have answered a question I’ve pondered since moving down here- who was the first windsurfer in the Coastal Bend?  If anyone can top John’s 34 years on board in the Coastal Bend, I’d like to hear about it. 
      Another year and another US Open has come and gone.  This was the 15th version to grace the shores at Oleander and it was another show piece for Corpus Christi.  One thing stuck out like a sore thumb about this year’s Open- where was the CCWA?  Only a handful of members where visible this year and that’s just plain wrong.  I’ve heard all the excuses - this is the event that put Corpus Christi on the windsurfing map and if we want to give more than lip service to promoting our sport then we should turn out a lot more support than ‘just a handful of members’.  About now I’m sure many members are turning the page to look for something interesting to read but if you are still reading this, I hope you will not stay away from the next Open.  Maybe you didn’t get your free T-shirt a few years ago, or perhaps you felt used by the racers but regardless of what happened in the past, there’s a lot of work to be done each year and its all worth doing to promote windsurfing.  Its also an opportunity to reach many folks who are potential boardheads...but few if any of them heard about the CCWA this year.
     There were new classifications for the fleets at this year’s Open and one fleet was obviously having a great time out on the Bay.  The Prodigy Fleet is a one design fleet for Mistral’s newest ‘do everything’ board.  At first glance it looks like one of last year’s wide style boards but there behind the mast track is a vaguely familiar slot where a center board can be inserted.  I’m not sure if it was the board or the folks sailing the boards but those people were obviously having a great time and the competition only added to their fun.  Pepi Gerald is the Mistral rep in charge of the Prodigy program.  He was in the thick of the racing but greeted every sailor when they got in or celebrated with those who got in ahead of him.  It was quite reminiscent of the kind of friendly racing I really haven’t seen since the hay days of the Windsurfing one design races in the early 80’s- I think Mistral might be on to something that’s been missing for too long. 

FREE Kid's Windsurfing Class
Scheduled for Saturday, June 8 - Sunday, 9th at Mud Lake (Clear Lake Park). Each day's session will be 10AM to 1PM.  We will be accepting kids ages 6 to teenager.  We need volunteer's to both help on each board and/or to paddle around kayaks (provided) to bring students/boards back up wind. Please let us know if you plan to help and/or bring children. We can only take so many students in each class.
PLEASE RSVP:  WHICH DAY?  HOW MANY KIDS?  CAN YOU ASSIST?

EACH CHILD NEEDS TO HAVE THEIR OWN LIFEJACKET. Be there at least 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork.

PARENT NAME: ________________________________________

CHILD__________________________________________ AGE __________

CHILD__________________________________________ AGE __________

CHILD__________________________________________ AGE __________

Your DAY TELEPHONE #_____________________________
Your EVE # __________________________________

E-MAIL ________________________________________

Thanks for your participation;

Cliff Tudor
clifftudor@aol.com
Windsurfing Sports
2300 NASA Rd 1
Seabrook, TX 77586
281-291-9199
800-WHY-SAIL

Here Comes Summer!  by  Roy Tansill
and we’ve got some fun planned for you
     The fun actually starts before summer with the beach party/downwinder at A&M Beach on the 15th.  We are combining that with the a brief meeting later on at the party at Chip’s house (a short walk from Swantner).  Since Diane (AKA Mrs. Biery) will be out of town and thoroughly booked throughout most of that day, we’re going to need some help getting things at Chip’s home ready for the pool side party.  Please give the Commodore a call if you can lend a hand with the party set up.  We have discussed holding a meeting on a weekend several times and this looks like the time to give it a try.  So all you folks who can’t make the third Tuesday of the month meetings- here’s your chance.   There is one member I can think of,
Bill Kid, who’s been a member forever it seems but, due to an evening shift job, Bill has never been to any meetings other than the Christmas parties.  We all hope you’ll be able to make this one Billy! 
     In July, Dick Ward is once again sponsoring the Bird to the Causeway Downwinder.  The Causeway construction will force some changes in the normal route and Dick is pondering a short list of alternatives.  One possible route would take us to the Laguna Shores location of Texas Excursions.  That’s the place where iwindsurf.com has their wind sensor and its about to be discussed in an article (penned by Chip Biery & Phil Keyserlingk) in Windsurfing Magazine.  That might come as quite a shock to Wally, Bob and Vicki!  another alternative has us pulling in just below Snoopy’s.  This alternative has additional options: 1) setting up the grill and coolers on the empty lots between Snoopy’s and the bridge, or 2) chow at Snoopy’s.  If you have any preferences, let Dick know your druthers since he has been pondering the destination for a month now and still hasn’t come to a decision.  There has also been some discussion of sailing back to Bird after the party for any of you who are up to it but that won’t be mandatory.  Depending on the winds, this can be a rocket ride on a slalom board or a longboard cruise but either way, a weedfin will probably be most useful.  Last year the weather derailed the annual downwinder and the year before, many folks had trouble with that last leg after turning left at Snoopy's.  I can’t make any promises about the weather, but there will NOT be any Causeway parallel leg in a too narrow channel this year.   I’m hoping we’ll do a round trip fleet to Laguna Shores but then again, a Snoopy’s shrimp salad sandwich is certainly an idea worthy of consideration.  Either way I figure I’ll finally put that new camel back to use.
     Now the third scheduled event has not received a lot of response in the past but this year I’ve already been put on notice that my 1 hour 39 minute record would be challenged.  So that could also be stated factually as a 50% increase in fleet size is already assured (thanks Mike!).  Now many folks are somewhat put off by the insanity of sailing in a confined area replete with near total wind shadows and funneled wind tunnels.  Others thought the one low bridge would be just too menacing.  I have to admit it is a bit of a challenging place to sail but with the right equipment, anyone who learned on a long board could probably handle it.  Perhaps its a masochistic streak but I did enjoy a healthy day’s worth of exercise (in 1 hour and 39 minutes) and some lessons relearned are quite useful on the gear more normally used in Corpus.  You’ve heard about the Prodigy board earlier in these pages.  This is a long shot at present but not impossible:  Would you be interested in a 1 day charter of a Prodigy board (use your rig) to give the canals a try?  If the fleet was big enough to cover 5 or so Prodigy boards, it would be a great advertisement for Mistral.  A fleet of their boards making it through over a 1,000 mostly affluent backyards- its not easy to get that kind of promotion for either Mistral or our sport. 
     There is a stop at the midpoint (time clock off) at Dick Ward’s home (maybe this year he’ll answer the doorbell).  Sounds like something you might want to try eh... well it’ll be in August but you might want to reconsider that enormous sail.  I used an old Fanatic Cat (circa ‘88) and a 6.5 RAF freestyle style rig and know that works.  I suspect that Prodigy will point even higher and pick up 4 feet with every tack in the narrower canals.  The route is a full circle except you start on one side of Encantada and finish on the other.
Please let me know if you want to give it a try- e-mail:  LooseClu@prodigy.net 

So, I’m quite sure that YOU, (insert your name here), are suitably impressed that you have been selected as one of the chosen few who are now being invited to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity.  Sign up now at Worldwinds or email me at djackson@worldwinds.net so we know how many small dead animals to BBQ.  All you need to bring is a good attitude and your beverage of choice.  We hope you can all join us on July 6th.  The festivities start after noon and will last until we all get tired and go home.  Dinner will be served promptly at around 6:30 or so.

WHAT:   Worldwinds 3rd annual Family and Friends BBQ
WHEN:  July 6th, 2002 any time after noon.
WHERE:  Worldwinds – Bird Island Basin 
WHY:  Why not? 

HOW MUCH:  Absolutely Free, Nada, Nothing, Zip, No Money Down, Easy Payment Plan. 

PLEASE RSVP BY JUNE 30: Sign up at Worldwinds, email djackson@worldwinds.net, call (361) 949-7474 or (800) 793-7471 

MAY AT BIRD ISLAND IN 80 SECONDS OR LESS: Let’s see now… We had plenty ‘o wind and even a couple of very late cold fronts that ruined everybody’s attitude for a day or so;

The US Open has come and gone and was a big success by all accounts; Kevin Pritchard won of course; A smallish rattlesnake was spotted slithering under the board container; A tortoise clomping right along the beach narrowly escaped several tourists who wanted to put the “poor little turtle back in the ocean”; Randy Mallory, a regular contributor to Texas Highways Magazine, stopped by this past month for a visit and a lesson and is working on an article that is due to be published this fall about how much fun it is to windsurf  at Bird Island Basin -  at least we hope that is what the article is about but it  is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that he was working undercover and is actually an investigative journalist doing an expose on the fact that John and I are too cheap to buy decent beer; 

Kia Walker tried some tandem sailing with an entire jellyfish hanging off her boom; Both Evan Walker and Logan Roots broke ribs in separate incidents while working on tricks - does that mean we all get to make a wish?; Randy Roper and Ben Jacobs started nailing their fast tacks; Evert Sprey got T-boned by another sailor and had his board sliced and diced by the other guys fin- The good news is that Evert didn’t get hurt- and the better news is that he wasn’t even on his own board; Memorial day weekend filled the parking lot;  a good time was had by all;  The end. 
That’s it from here, Don

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