Hereʻs a little story of missed opportunity in opening a surfshop; in 1980 on Maui there was just a handful of windsurfers trying to figure out this new sport; the only boards back then were 12ft “standards” from Hoyle Switzer; no straps, long and heavy and real dogs; enter Mike Waltze, young hot shot with two new foam/fiberglass boards from So. Cal; well. I got a look at them and thought I could build one no problem, which I did and started riding my own creations; so my buddy and I are thinking we should go into production before anyone else jumps on the bandwagon; we hunt for a suitable location with cheap rent for our “factory” and find a location in the back of a mechanic shop operated by a friend who is more than willing to rent for cheap; problem was it was right across the street from Puʻunene sugar mill; so we start cleaning the rooms up and dreaming about all the boards and money to be made in this new industry and how groovy it is to be the 1st shop to offer foam/fiberglass windsurfers; well, in the ensuing days of cleanup we noticed the increasing Maui trades would absolutly whip tons of dust and bagass [crushed,dried sugar cane waste] right into the the shop, day after day until it became increasingly clear that only an absolute idiot would ever try to build boards here, across from a fucking SUGAR MILL; well, one can be blinded by cheap rent and visions of a board building empire; and the amount of weed we were smoking probably didnʻt help either; so, we got our rent money back and scrapped plans for our shop;history bears out the fact that many enterprising souls made out like bandits in the windsurfing craze that swept Maui during the 80ʻ and 90ʻs; and to think, two lowly local boys had a chance; close …but no cigar…Aue no hoʻi
“Freeline, O’Neil’s, Pearson-Arrow in SC, Bob Wise up in SF…permanent
fixtures over decades while the rest just roll in and out like the
tide…”
What? No love for Haut? Bit of an oversight, there, Icc… 
I don't think lcc mean't to overlook Haut's shop as it was mentioned on the first page by someone else. I would've mentioned it myself if someone hadn't done it already. Nothing like walking into that small showroom with a minimal counter, maximum Haut boards in the rack and the fragrant smell of Poly resin coming thru the door that led back to the factory. The real deal. I'm suprised though that none of the SB/Ventura boys mentioned Bob Duncans Wilderness Shop. Gone recently, but not forgotten.
Yea, Mcding got it…however, should have rolled him in, have nothing but respect for Doug, class act and huge influence in SC…one of the reasons Ward Coffey was so stoked to win the Haut bump shapeoff at Sacred Craft…understand he sold his shop recently, still shaping some, enjoying the good life surfing, flyfishing and snowboarding…
Helluva duck hunter as well!
Yeah M'Ding, It's a pisser what they did with Wilderness. Some tried to save it but the city would have none of it. The tourists like new and shiny. I think you still can get boards though.
Yeah, Chuck is still shaping at Pitas Point in Ventura. Just bought a 6’7" quad of his and cannot wait to take it out today!