Newman Darby invented windsurfing in 1948

Windsurfing
S. Newman Darby: the inventor of the sailboard and windsurfing

The roots of windsurfing started in Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania, USA.

In 1948, Sidney Newman Darby, 20, built the first small catamaran with a handheld sail and rig mounted on a universal joint.

Although he did not patent his invention, Darby is commonly seen as the father of sailboarding/windsurfing.

Later in 1970, North Americans Jim Drake and Hoyle Schweitzer got a patent for their "Windsurfer" design, based on Newman Darby's techniques.

They credited him for their version of the sailboard.

Sidney Newman Darby: the father of windsurfing was born in 1928

Windsurfer and the Olympics

Nevertheless, the two friends were working on Darby's ideas since the mid-1960s.

Hoyle Schweitzer began the commercial production of polyethylene sailboards - the "Windsurfer" design - in the early 1970s.

That was when windsurfing became popular in Europe, and sales boosted.

In the 1980s, Darby received a design patent for the one-person sailboat - Darby 8 SS Sidestep Hull.

His wife, Naomi, was always by his side, helping to build the ultimate sailboard.

In 1984, windsurfing became an Olympic sport in Los Angeles.

Stephan van den Berg was the first Olympic gold medalist in the men's windsurfing category.

  • It's official. The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) ratified two new outstanding accomplishments in windsurfing and kiteboarding.
  • Dutch environmental activist and windsurfer Merijn Tinga, also known as the "Plastic Soup Surfer," has made an audacious journey from Oslo to London, braving the North Sea's currents and winds, to call attention to the pervasive problem of plastic pollution.
  • Imagine gliding across a frozen lake, your sail catching the wind, and skis slicing through the ice and snow. Meet the sport that blends the thrill of windsurfing with the crisp, cold beauty of winter landscapes.
  • Planing is one of the most exciting skills you can master while windsurfing. It usually separates beginners from intermediate and advanced sailors. But what is the minimum wind speed to get flying over water?

The Surfing Christmas Gift Guide for 2023 | Explore our Christmas gift ideas for surfers