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Stu's early years...
In 1988 I stumbled into the sport of windsurfing. It's a long story but I became the proud owner of a 1986 Mistral competition as part of a barter for one of my construction business customers. With the new board I attempted my first outing (a 30 minute lesson in Nags Head) I knew I was way over my head in the high winds as I floundered about for several hours. But Ahh I did get a ride, and as short lived as it was (about 30 feet) I was hooked. Yes, I learned the hard way (by trial and lots of error) that summer I practiced the walk of shame (when you can't get back) over and over in the shallows of several bay side beaches in Hampton, VA, and Ocean City Md. For the next few years I learned to tack and did a lot of solo cruising. I was the solo surfer. Then one day in the mid nineties a friend who I had exposed to the sport bought a Windsurfer Brand board (this board was vintage even then),and I had a companion on the water. With our cloth sails (now almost unheard of) we scouted out new and exciting windsurfing locations.
During our travels we discovered other windsurfers and even a windsurfing club BABA.. After sailing alone for so many years I have to tell you it was great to have a Windsurf bud and a club I could call home.

Racing
In the years that followed I took to racing in a big way,and I remember my first race well! Since I didn't know how to gybe (do a downwind turn) I would go slightly past the mark and Tack (do an upwind turn) I'm sure the other racers must have wondered what the heck is he doing? But it worked and in the years that followed as I improved my gybes and picked up some better gear my scores improved.

Inspirational Characters
In 1998 (well hooked on racing by that time) I traveled to Florida for my first "Nationals"
and some early spring sailing. After spending several days with my new friend Dave.
I remember saying something like "Dave you are doing great in the races" My other traveling companion Alan who had introduced me to Dave just a few days earlier said something like "he should be ...Dave's ranked something like 10th in the county."
Until that moment I had no idea I was traveling with such a "pro". During this trip I also met some other truly inspirational characters, and learned that in windsurfing a relative beginner could talk to the pros -no not just Dave (almost Pro) but all of them. One such person was two time Olympic medalist Mike Gebhardt who was also the United States Sydney Olympic hopeful at the time. After spending some time sitting next to Gebi at a presentation by Newman Darby. "The inventor of boardsailing" (Smithsonian Institute title). I recall thinking this may be my only chance. So I asked Gebi duh groupie style what is the secret? His reply was something like. At the Olympic level the competition is fairly level. It is the one who works on developing his mental abilties,and is able to stay focused in the heat of competition who does the best. Ahh I thought as I processed and stored the thought for later use. A few moments later I witnessed Newman and Gebi meeting for the first time. I recall thinking...One persons pursuit of design (the first sailboard) allowing another persons pursuit of Olympic Gold. It was a surreal moment to be sure. At Midwinter's In 98 I also got an insiders glimpse at a first class international event in progress! I was truly stoked! Little did I know how Gebi's brief words and this trip would effect me later.

Gathering the flock...
Later that year at a local USWA Windsurfing race I suggested that we (local clubs, etc.) should combine our talents and throw a windsurfing Festival of sorts. In 1999 we did just that and the "Gunpowder Windsurfing Festival" was born. For a first time event the attendance wasn't bad either we had 44 officially register and another 20-30 mingling, sailing, and asking questions. The day featured certified instruction, Relay races, mini open practice races, a freestyle demo, a jibe off (how many jibes can you do in a minute) and an overnight cookout and camp-out. A good time was had by all!

A New Direction... For Stu?
In 2000 after several good years of racing. Something happened that would change my life. On a cool weds eve in May I loaded up the truck with instructional windsurfing gear, instructional video, Pfd, suntan lotion, an intro to windsurfing pamphlet and a few other teaching aids. And In a church auditorium I presented windsurfing to approx. 55 teens and several adult chaperones. As the night progressed the teens went from watching a windsurf video to jumping on board. When US Windsurfing got wind of this they prompted me "You ought to apply for a JR. Grant! " I said "No I'm not even Certified to teach" After several promptings I finally said OK and did apply, and I'm sure glad I did. In 2001 I became a USWA JR.Grant recipient (one of only 13 in the country) In fact I just received a 2003 Jr. Grant as well.

Since the church class I have become certified, and I have done all I can to help spread the word of windsurfing. But in the teaching process I have learned something too. I've learned that I'm not just teaching windsurfing I'm giving life experiences to kids and adults alike!!
Some may ask what's the difference between teaching and Life experiences?
Well, this kinda sums it up for me. "I tried hot air ballooning once..It was awesome I'll always remember it!!!

To the parents of our youth who are facing so many difficult choices I often ask...
"Which would be better for a teen to spend 10 hours watching TV, playing violent video games, or spending 10 hours learning to windsurf?
   Windsurfing can offer a series of challenges that may help teens develop self confidence, balance, Physical fitness, a sense of independence (it's an individual sport) yet offers a social sense of being part of the team. Most teens won't mention all this they'll just say is it's a whole lot of FUN!!!

That could NEVER happen!!!!!!!!!!
A change of thinking???.
One day while sailing with Gebi's Sydney Olympic sail at a Girl Scouts camp where I sometimes teach I looked up at the bold Blue USA, the Flag and Sydney Olympic logo on the sail and thought....
If someone had said to me in 98 that in 4 yrs I would be teaching Girl Scouts and sharing the Sydney Olympic sail with them I would have thought they were nuts.
I would have said there is no way that will ever happen!!!!!!

If that wasn't enough I had my own surreal moment with Newman Darby in 2002 Spreading the windsurf word at the Smithsonian Institutes temporary exhibit "invention at Play"
Now I beleive anything is possible.

Annapolis Wind Missions...
I have two goals ... one is to spread the word of "fun on the water" for all ages.
The other is...I'd love to see organized windsurfing back in Annapolis.
Check out the events page for upcoming events. Whether Windsurfer brand or Formula I hope you'll join us!
The Annapolis Olympic connection.
In 1981? the Olympic windsurfing trials were held in Annapolis. Scott Steele and Mike Gebhardt battled it out for the first place position on the team. Scott won Silver in 84 in LA Gebi went as his training partner then went on to win Silver and Bronze in the games that followed. Gebi retired from his Olympic pursuit of Gold after the Sydney games but continues to do good works with kids of all ages.

Annapolis Wind is a proud supporter of the USA, JR. Olympic windsurfing development program. I truly believe that the Olympics may be one of the best things humanity has ever put together as a race. If you too would like to support the USWA/US Sailing, JR. Olympic development program. Please email or call Annapolis Wind (301)464-3443 to find out how you can help.
See you on the water!!!
Stuart Gray

US Sailing Certified windurfing insructor 2001 and 2003 JR Grant recipient.
Member: US Sailing, USWA, AWIA, BABA, and the Annapolis crew.
USWA Jr development commitee member.