henderson

ProFiles

JeffHenderson

A waterman on Stable Road

An interview by Robert Masters

Founder and owner of Hot Sails Maui. Jeff began his career as a sail designer at the age of 19 when he was hired by the then world-renowned sail brand Hood. He founded their Windsurfing division, which in turn allowed him to move from New England to Hawaii. Many years later and countless hours of time on the water Jeff, today, is just as stoked on windsurfing and life, as he was as a teen hungry for new experiences. As a resident of Stable Road, we felt it only appropriate to feature Jeff in our premiere StableRoad ProFile interview! So with no further ado, let the questions and answers begin!

How did you get involved with windsurfing?

JH - I started in 1980 at the age of 18 in the British Virgin Islands. I saved up for a used SHARK SURFER, which was a 3 piece board, with a 4 part mast, and boom that folded in the middle. It all broke down into a 120/90/80cm bag for travel.

You’ve been around the sport for a while. How has it changed?

JH - The soul has been missing for a while but it is returning, I can feel it coming.

To my knowledge, you are one of the few sail makers who actually lives on the beach! Describe Stable Road life. Why are you here?

JH - Well from what I hear in Kihei we all sleep with each other and do lots of drugs. So, it must be great! Reality is a bit tamer, though I think our dogs do tend to mess about a bit. It is paradise only interrupted by Aloha Airlines.

When you developed the SuperFreak sail, did you have any idea about how the sail would become such a lightening rod for conversation? Why is that so?

JH - No, but I am not surprised. I developed this sail for one reason, I want to sail on it. I still love it and now more people enjoy it too. I have to explain it less and less often which is nice now.

Many manufacturers’ products are focused towards high performance, aimed at winning world cup competitions. Is there a disconnect between the manufacturers building competition grade products for consumers, or is that what the general public demands? Are there other aspects of windsurfing that are being ignored, to a lesser or greater extent?

JH - They seem to forget that the pro gear is for pros. Like F1 racing, brands learn a lot from development, and it ends up in all cars in some form. But we do not buy F1 cars ourselves, they are not practical. The worst days of brands selling customers the wrong gear are quickly fading. The brands are starting (some more then others) to listen to their customers instead of dictating to them. Most of the infrastrucre damage was done in the 90s and now it means rebuilding.

It seems as though companies like yours and Svein’s (Starboard) have gone in directions that others are only starting to grasp. How do you see this sport differently to, say, Neil Pryde or North Sails?

JH - I see from a sailors point of view: on the water. Though they have people doing the same thing, they are not the people making the final decisions.

How amusing is it to you when you see people on Maui who only sail 4.7s and 75ltr boards in 25 knots perfect side-shore weather? Are these people missing something?

JH - No, it is not impractical here, but this is mecca. There is only so much time for sports. However, when I hear people complaining, then, yes, I do pity them.

In the past it’s been about Robby, Jenna, Bjorn... Who should be the current “poster person” for this sport?

JH - One of the kids under 15 with the best attitude.

Is fun factor directly proportional to cost of gear?

JH - No, probably the opposite. My finest memories were on the $150. Shark surfer.

In the early days of the sport, no one planed, yet people had a lot of fun. The focus shifted to high performance sailing. Has non-planing windsurfing got the stigma of shuffleboarding, or is it an aspect of the sport that deserves to be discovered by people who aren’t necessarily extreme by nature?

JH - People who used to be adrenaline junkies usually end up taking Yoga when they grow up. Longboard windsurfing is the yoga of windsurfing.

It rejuvenates you, not exhausts you. This will be bigger in the future as it was bigger in the past.

Has the sport historically left something to be desired when it came time to selling the broadness and variety that is windsurfing? Is there a stigma that if you don’t fit into one of the current niche trends, that there’s something seriously wrong with you? If this is the case, is that the “sport’s” fault – or is that just people being people?

JH - Trendy demands trendy. Not the sport's fault, no.

What’s your reaction when you see people on Maui modifying long surfboards and old 80’s era windsurf boards to use in different ways – and then taking these things in some really interesting situations?

JH - Thankful. What happens on Maui, happens across the world. This is Mecca after all.

So if it floats (more or less), sail it!

JH - Absolutely!

Stand up paddling meets traditional wavesailing. Is a new sport about to be born?

JH - About to be born? Well, I was doing it in 1997, but yes, for most people this will be "new".

Is this the beginning of a re-birth of grass roots windsurfing, where it’s cool even if you can’t plane?

JH - Ohmmmmm.

Finally... windsurfing. Where is it going?

JH - Back to the future!