Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Jim Drake, co-inventor of the Windsurfer, dies at 83
Wednesday, 20 June 2012 14:33

Jim Drake: the co-inventor of the Windsurfer and father of modern windsurfing

Jim Drake, the co-inventor of the "Windsurfer" and father of modern windsurfing, has passed away at the age of 83. The North American aeronautics engineer improved the early design by Peter Chilvers and Newman Darby.

In the 1970s, Jim Drake and his partner Hoyle Schweitzer submitted the patent for their "Windsurfer" design, based on the Newman Darby's techniques. They credited him for their version of the sailboard.

Jim Drake learned from Darby's developments and upgraded the board and rig layout, as well as the universal joint which stands modern and used all over the world.

Drake was born in California in 1929. Thirty five years later, he was trying to develop a kite powered surfboard that would allow him to sail down the Potomac River.

Later, he meets Hoyle Schweitzer - a keen surfer - and they decide to build and test their first models in Marina del Rey. After falling several times, he knew he had to introduce the uphaul. Watch an historical video documenting these water tests, here.

By 1967, they had already named it "Baja Board" but, interestingly, it was a Public Relations professional who found the perfect word for their sailing concept. "I have the perfect name for it! The Windsurfer!", the PR yelled. Name accepted.

In 1973, Jim Drake sells his half of the patent to Windsurfing International, owned by Hoyle Schweitzer, for $36,000. The windsurfing business grows and is very popular in Europe during the 1980s.

The US courts decide that the "Windsurfer" is strongly inspired in Peter Chilvers and Newman Darby's prototypes and Schweitzer closes his Windsurfing International. Jim Drake's contribution to the sport of windsurfing is decisive.

"I have an optimistic view about the sport (...) The one that's brought on by the media is the picture of the sport as being this athletic circus trick of jumping waves and whirling around this great wide ocean", Drake once told.

"Well, that's simply not what the sport is. Just not at all. It has much more broad application and pleasures to it. Because people who are athletically inclined but not as superbly coordinated as Robby [Naish] can enjoy the sport in many regards without having to ever get airborne".


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

Check the Wind Forecast for your surfing region
The best anemometers in the world
The Beaufort Wind Force Scale
Wave Height Forecast
The best windsurfing spots in the world
How to make your own windsurfing sail
The best official windsurfing classes
Board & Sail Size Chart
The best freestyle windsurfing moves
The best surf watches in the world

SURFING

The surf earplugs that allow you to hear
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

The new Seals Balance Pro by EQ earplugs allow surfers to protect their ears and hear everything when wearing them.
When spring and summer start, everyone surfs more often. Also, all-year round surfers are more exposed to severe ear injuries, such as the surfer's ear (Exostosis) and swimmer's ear (Otitis). This problem can be developed after 3000 hours of cold water surfing. Neoprene hoodies and ear plugs are the best way to avoid surgery.


The equestrian experience of horse surfing
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

Horseboarding is the modern version of chariot racing that promises to pump extreme hearts and classic horse lovers.
They say taking off is the hardest part. Please welcome the world of horseboarding, where horsepower is, in fact, the power output of a horse. Not a jet ski. Horseboarding can be enjoyed both in the water of oceans and rivers and in countryside race tracks. If you live by the sea, grab a surfboard, kite board, wake board or skim board and prepare to speed up to the 40 miles  [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Kite Surfer" is the new wind riding game for iOS
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Kite Surfer" is the latest kitesurfing game for iPhone and iPad.
Lemondo Entertainment has announced the release of its newest game, "Kite Surfer", an arcade kitesurfing game designed for both iPhone and iPad. "Kite Surfer" is an endless running game, in which players take control of a character by swiping on the display or tilting a mobile device.


Pudla Narapichit hailed Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champion
21/05/2013
article thumbnail

Pudla Narapichit and Doque Delos Santos have been crowned the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2012/2013 champions.
With 120 riders from 30 countries, the final and decisive Chinese stage once again broke all records, at Pingtan Island, also known as Haitan Island. The spot is regarded as China's windiest location - regular wind speeds of over 30 knots are recorded over the winter monsoon season and all of the island's old traditional style stone houses need to have rocks placed on top of their tiled roo [ ... ]


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Nuno Azevedo sweeps fourth Luso Galaico Championship title
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

Nuno Azevedo has conquered the bodyboarding division of the XV Luso Galaico Championship, a competition between Portuguese and Galician riders.
Up to 64 bodyboarders and surfers from the North of Portugal and the Spanish region of Galicia have competed at Cabedelo Beach and Arda Beach, in Viana do Castelo. With a mobile structure and a new live scoring system, the level of competition was high in the 2-4 foot waves on offer. Portuguese riders claimed four out of five titles at the XV Luso Ga [ ... ]


What happens in Teahupoo stays in Teahupoo
22/05/2013
article thumbnail

What happens in Teahupoo stays in Teahupoo. Don't tell anyone about the wipeouts you're about to witness.
When surfers are out of the game, bodyboarders go for it. During the infamous mid-May swell of 2013, a group of prone riders decided to taste the real power of the Tahitian barrel. Maui Leetham, Richard Niko, Jurd Heimana, Thibault Casabianca, John Duval prepared their boards, leashes and cameras and paddled into the devil, with fin power only.


+ Bodyboarding News