The House
Moderator: MK
The House
Not really any new management. JC's been the manager of The House retail operations for years and continues to be "the man" with a great team this summer, primarily made of Sean and Kyle...two very dedicated riders for just about any boardsport you could think of. So, to our local customers, there's really no change.
My role at The House has changed and I'll be putting in less time day-to-day as I move into other ventures that have been pulling my heart for years. The House is still very much part of me...it still has the same focus on value, selection, service and a 'fun' shopping experience. We're dedicated to getting as many people as possible "on board". I'm now more available to offer any clinics to those interested, inform the public about the benefits of riding, explore the relation between music and riding, and work on our retreat center in Maui.
This local community of riders means more to me now than ever and I draw great inspiration for my writing from the comments posted on this site. I'm currently working on a project that explores notions of "presence", "surrender" and "peak performance" as it relates to our discipline in "just pushing past the edge of our ability"...really the essence of "extreme" sports. I know many of you have tremendous life insights from your riding experiences and I welcome them all. My email is actrand@frontiernet.net and I invite all of you to send me "what's workin' ya'", life lessons from riding. Hoping to see many of you this Saturday at The Swap.
My role at The House has changed and I'll be putting in less time day-to-day as I move into other ventures that have been pulling my heart for years. The House is still very much part of me...it still has the same focus on value, selection, service and a 'fun' shopping experience. We're dedicated to getting as many people as possible "on board". I'm now more available to offer any clinics to those interested, inform the public about the benefits of riding, explore the relation between music and riding, and work on our retreat center in Maui.
This local community of riders means more to me now than ever and I draw great inspiration for my writing from the comments posted on this site. I'm currently working on a project that explores notions of "presence", "surrender" and "peak performance" as it relates to our discipline in "just pushing past the edge of our ability"...really the essence of "extreme" sports. I know many of you have tremendous life insights from your riding experiences and I welcome them all. My email is actrand@frontiernet.net and I invite all of you to send me "what's workin' ya'", life lessons from riding. Hoping to see many of you this Saturday at The Swap.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
Congrats Randy and the "house" gang. You guys have built a very cool place to learn, buy and talk boardsport. You guys were the main reason I got hooked on this stuff the spring of 2000. You might have saved my life too...
I'd been working my tail off for a few years trying to get a small company from red to black along with a partner. My health was starting to fail, even at the tender age of 36. Too much work, not enough play.
The fall of 1999 I decided, on a lark, that I would learn to windsurf next spring. I use to sail small boats on Lake Minnetonka in my youth (late 70's early 80's). I remember seeing a windsurfer one day. Planning faster than my Laser! "I'll have to try that!" I thought. My father had already spent ample money on a Laser so he couldn't afford another sailing craft.
I resigned to the fact that I would never be a windsurfer. I concentrated on fishing and bike riding. Although I didn't realize it at the time, the image of the windsurfer - slap,slap,slaping across the waves- was burned into the back of my brain. It would move forward again in 1999.
Fast Forward to THE HOUSE Swap Meet 2000:
I had met a few freinds druing the winter/spring that liked to sail on land in parking lots. They convinced me to head to "the Swap" and get a kit. Jerry and Kirk hooked me up with a board, mast, boom and sail. I dropped into the House and got a "shorty" wetsuit after the meet was over. The call went out around 1PM that we should go to WACONIA to try out new stuff out.
huh?! I was afraid but I decided to go along. The next few hours changed my life. I was born again in the water. My knees were bloody from scraping on the board TRYING to uphaul. I never got to sheet the sail in. I was in Heavan. I saw some guys, somehow, pull themselves from the water with their sail, jump on the board and scoot off. From my perspective (eye level with the water) this was a grand illusion or just plain magic.
Impossible.
I wrote down my sessions. It is ugly but it's what I was thinking. http://www.downhaul.com/users/eric/saga.txt
I'm so glad you are heading into new stuff Randy. I thank you for what you have given us and encourage you on your new ventures.
Every day, we start all over again.
- Eric S
I'd been working my tail off for a few years trying to get a small company from red to black along with a partner. My health was starting to fail, even at the tender age of 36. Too much work, not enough play.
The fall of 1999 I decided, on a lark, that I would learn to windsurf next spring. I use to sail small boats on Lake Minnetonka in my youth (late 70's early 80's). I remember seeing a windsurfer one day. Planning faster than my Laser! "I'll have to try that!" I thought. My father had already spent ample money on a Laser so he couldn't afford another sailing craft.
I resigned to the fact that I would never be a windsurfer. I concentrated on fishing and bike riding. Although I didn't realize it at the time, the image of the windsurfer - slap,slap,slaping across the waves- was burned into the back of my brain. It would move forward again in 1999.
Fast Forward to THE HOUSE Swap Meet 2000:
I had met a few freinds druing the winter/spring that liked to sail on land in parking lots. They convinced me to head to "the Swap" and get a kit. Jerry and Kirk hooked me up with a board, mast, boom and sail. I dropped into the House and got a "shorty" wetsuit after the meet was over. The call went out around 1PM that we should go to WACONIA to try out new stuff out.
huh?! I was afraid but I decided to go along. The next few hours changed my life. I was born again in the water. My knees were bloody from scraping on the board TRYING to uphaul. I never got to sheet the sail in. I was in Heavan. I saw some guys, somehow, pull themselves from the water with their sail, jump on the board and scoot off. From my perspective (eye level with the water) this was a grand illusion or just plain magic.
Impossible.
I wrote down my sessions. It is ugly but it's what I was thinking. http://www.downhaul.com/users/eric/saga.txt
I'm so glad you are heading into new stuff Randy. I thank you for what you have given us and encourage you on your new ventures.
Every day, we start all over again.
- Eric S
Encouragement is the food of the soul!
Eric,
Your posts have definitely been some of the most inspirational for me and it really feels good to know that we were somehow part of helping you get that "Sandel smile" on your face from 'the ride'. Thanks for the encouragement and gratitude...it's the stuff that feeds the soul.
Your posts have definitely been some of the most inspirational for me and it really feels good to know that we were somehow part of helping you get that "Sandel smile" on your face from 'the ride'. Thanks for the encouragement and gratitude...it's the stuff that feeds the soul.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
clincs ?
Did I hear clinics and community mentioned ? Just asking because I am associated with groups of downhill skiers/boarders in various MSC ski clubs. I think some of the more active people in the clubs would be interested in a program that could bring them closer to entering the windsurf world. Having a somewhat positive windsurf experience without putting cash down for equipment would possibly hook a few club members. Are their any learn to windsurf programs offered that I could promote with in the ski club ?
Intro to Windsurfing
Certainly, if you have a contingent interested in windsurfing, we could put together some introductory clinics that would deal with windsurfing history, sailing theory, equipment issues, etc. It gets difficult to do on-the-water instruction because of insurance issues. However, Jeff Adamski and Coach (I think) will be offering water instruction this season. I'm sure they could put together some sort of group package.
In years past we've tried a windsurfing club. I know Jay's got a good thing going on the first Thursday of the month at Applebies in Minneapolis. I think there's been times when more than thirty people have shown up.
Probably the best thing we've got going for now is the Worthington event June 10-14, hosting the US National Championships. This will be windsurf and music heaven and a great place for anyone who has windsurfed or who has any interest in windsurfing to network.
As for trying windsurfing before you put the cash down, I'm a firm believer that by the time you even have a taste (planing) of what windsurfing's about, you've already spent enough in rental to have covered what would have gotten you a nice package. We've seen too many people do the introductory lesson and leave because they didn't get on a plane. Getting "hooked" on windsurfing seems to directly correlate with being able to lock in your body with the equipment for that magical engagement with the elements.
In years past we've tried a windsurfing club. I know Jay's got a good thing going on the first Thursday of the month at Applebies in Minneapolis. I think there's been times when more than thirty people have shown up.
Probably the best thing we've got going for now is the Worthington event June 10-14, hosting the US National Championships. This will be windsurf and music heaven and a great place for anyone who has windsurfed or who has any interest in windsurfing to network.
As for trying windsurfing before you put the cash down, I'm a firm believer that by the time you even have a taste (planing) of what windsurfing's about, you've already spent enough in rental to have covered what would have gotten you a nice package. We've seen too many people do the introductory lesson and leave because they didn't get on a plane. Getting "hooked" on windsurfing seems to directly correlate with being able to lock in your body with the equipment for that magical engagement with the elements.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
Randy:
I think we'd be able to attract many more new people to the sport if there was a way to try out quality beginner equipment and get good introductory coaching. Most people suffer far more than necessary at the beginning. People like Eric S get through the suffering in style, but far too many end up dropping the sport, never to try again.
If we had a source of some wide, floaty boards (like the Start), and some good, small sails, and a clinic by someone who really knew how to connect with beginners, I think we'd see far more people get hooked on the sport. (With any luck that will keep them off jetskis!) I taught a half-dozen kids last year on my "fleet" of two Starts -- and they all had success and about half of them are dying to try it again this year.
Have you talked to people who regularly do clinics about the insurance issue? Roger Jackson must have some solution. I'll ask him on his forum at Starboard. I'd love to see some good windsurfing instruction in our area!
John
I think we'd be able to attract many more new people to the sport if there was a way to try out quality beginner equipment and get good introductory coaching. Most people suffer far more than necessary at the beginning. People like Eric S get through the suffering in style, but far too many end up dropping the sport, never to try again.
If we had a source of some wide, floaty boards (like the Start), and some good, small sails, and a clinic by someone who really knew how to connect with beginners, I think we'd see far more people get hooked on the sport. (With any luck that will keep them off jetskis!) I taught a half-dozen kids last year on my "fleet" of two Starts -- and they all had success and about half of them are dying to try it again this year.
Have you talked to people who regularly do clinics about the insurance issue? Roger Jackson must have some solution. I'll ask him on his forum at Starboard. I'd love to see some good windsurfing instruction in our area!
John
John,
I got certified (US Sailing) to teach windsurfing by Roger Jackson last year. I taught approx. 30 people last year in this area. Knowing the right way to teach makes a big difference. The insurance issue is still a big deal, and covered in the course. Roger should be able to fill you in on the details. I taught my 1st student of this season last Saturday.
Jeff Adamski
(763) 441-1521
I got certified (US Sailing) to teach windsurfing by Roger Jackson last year. I taught approx. 30 people last year in this area. Knowing the right way to teach makes a big difference. The insurance issue is still a big deal, and covered in the course. Roger should be able to fill you in on the details. I taught my 1st student of this season last Saturday.
Jeff Adamski
(763) 441-1521