Sport Today

by **hanse** » Mon, 13 Feb 2006 18:48:23

Recent decisions by the current management effectively ended my 24 year
association with the Windwing brand as of Dec 15th 2005. The deception
of customers and supporters does not represent the business philosophy
and tradition I strived to create over the 20 years in which I was the
founder and principle owner. Therefore I am making this announcement to
eliminate any confusion or misconception as to my relationship with the
company or it's future products or services. This is a sad day for me
and, from the comments here and in other forums, those who viewed the
Bird logo and my associated design talents with respect. I deeply
appreciate the many positive statements regarding my work and hope to
continue in the wind sports business as a designer, R&D consultant or
product manager. I sincerely hope Windwing will carry on the tradition
of innovation and customer service I helped to establish.
Best regards to you all,
- Bill Hansen
Hansen Designs
Sail+Kite Design

by **ratho..** » Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:07:47

Thanks Bill for the clarification. I always liked your sails and the
simple bird logo. Hope to see you at Marina Bay again this year.

kev

by **Brian M** » Mon, 13 Feb 2006 23:10:14

Best of luck to you and your future endeavors! We'll await your
return!

Brian

Quote:

>Recent decisions by the current management effectively ended my 24 year
>association with the Windwing brand as of Dec 15th 2005. The deception
>of customers and supporters does not represent the business philosophy
>and tradition I strived to create over the 20 years in which I was the
>founder and principle owner. Therefore I am making this announcement to
>eliminate any confusion or misconception as to my relationship with the
>company or it's future products or services. This is a sad day for me
>and, from the comments here and in other forums, those who viewed the
>Bird logo and my associated design talents with respect. I deeply
>appreciate the many positive statements regarding my work and hope to
>continue in the wind sports business as a designer, R&D consultant or
>product manager. I sincerely hope Windwing will carry on the tradition
>of innovation and customer service I helped to establish.
>Best regards to you all,
> - Bill Hansen
>Hansen Designs
>Sail+Kite Design

by **Craig Goudi** » Tue, 14 Feb 2006 08:45:05

Hey Bill,

A great loss for Windwing, but I hope it get's you more time and fulfillment
in your new endeavors.
Maybe I'll catch you up in HR some day, I'm still riding that Logosz Squish.

-Craig

Quote:

> Recent decisions by the current management effectively ended my 24 year
> association with the Windwing brand as of Dec 15th 2005. The deception
> of customers and supporters does not represent the business philosophy
> and tradition I strived to create over the 20 years in which I was the
> founder and principle owner. Therefore I am making this announcement to
> eliminate any confusion or misconception as to my relationship with the
> company or it's future products or services. This is a sad day for me
> and, from the comments here and in other forums, those who viewed the
> Bird logo and my associated design talents with respect. I deeply
> appreciate the many positive statements regarding my work and hope to
> continue in the wind sports business as a designer, R&D consultant or
> product manager. I sincerely hope Windwing will carry on the tradition
> of innovation and customer service I helped to establish.
> Best regards to you all,
> - Bill Hansen
> Hansen Designs
> Sail+Kite Design

by **Paul Braunbehren** » Tue, 14 Feb 2006 10:28:09

Seeing this makes me kinda glad I didn't go for the Gulftech boom but
bought a Chinook instead. What is the story with that whole
conglomerate? I kinda thought that John had a passion for WS and had
taken over a bunch of failing brands in order to keep them alive,
putting some of his own money into it. Now it looks like he's just in
it for the money, getting rid of all the good that was in those brands.

I understand if you don't want to elaborate, it's a small community.
I'm really just curious if the whole windexpress thing is to be avoided
or not. Right now it looks like it's better to steer clear, even if
the prices look good.

Quote:

> Recent decisions by the current management effectively ended my 24 year
> association with the Windwing brand as of Dec 15th 2005. The deception
> of customers and supporters does not represent the business philosophy
> and tradition I strived to create over the 20 years in which I was the
> founder and principle owner. Therefore I am making this announcement to
> eliminate any confusion or misconception as to my relationship with the
> company or it's future products or services. This is a sad day for me
> and, from the comments here and in other forums, those who viewed the
> Bird logo and my associated design talents with respect. I deeply
> appreciate the many positive statements regarding my work and hope to
> continue in the wind sports business as a designer, R&D consultant or
> product manager. I sincerely hope Windwing will carry on the tradition
> of innovation and customer service I helped to establish.
> Best regards to you all,
> - Bill Hansen
> Hansen Designs
> Sail+Kite Design

by **ratho..** » Tue, 14 Feb 2006 10:55:37

well, i guess i have to put in a little word for John Chao here. I
know he's pissed off a lot of people in the industry over the years,
and I'm not trying to argue over whether he has been right or wrong in
those instances.

However, on a personal and professional level, I've always had a good
relationship w/ John. He does have a deep passion for windsurfing, and
it is part of his life ***. I think he's a great guy... maybe just
not the greatest business person? John has always been very fair,
friendly and generous w/ me, and I loved his magazine when it was being
published.

Furthermore, Gulftech and Windwing were struggling companies when he
took over (as was Windtracks/WTJ), and I don't think he "cashed out" on
any of those companies, and I don't think anybody is really getting
rich on windsurfing. I may be wrong, but from what I understand, both
of those companies were on the way out when John stepped in, and I know
that John and his crew put in a ton of effort and energy to those
brands.

I'm not trying to make John out as a saint, but I don't think he's the
devil that a lot of people make him out to be, and will say Hi and chat
for sure the next time I see him. I for one hope to share some wind
and waves w/ him again.

by **Tom - Chicag** » Thu, 16 Feb 2006 00:09:06

Bill:

Sorry to hear about this - I always preferred sails built by real people
with passion about Windsurfing.

I will always remember a day (long ago) at Wolf Lake here in the Chicago
area when the wind just kept coming up and up and up. At the end there were
only two guys left on the water - both with those beautiful white Windwing
sails with the bird logo. They were just ripping back and forth across the
water as the sun went down. Unforgettable.

Good luck in your next incarnation!

Tom - Chicago

Quote:

> Recent decisions by the current management effectively ended my 24 year
> association with the Windwing brand as of Dec 15th 2005. The deception
> of customers and supporters does not represent the business philosophy
> and tradition I strived to create over the 20 years in which I was the
> founder and principle owner. Therefore I am making this announcement to
> eliminate any confusion or misconception as to my relationship with the
> company or it's future products or services. This is a sad day for me
> and, from the comments here and in other forums, those who viewed the
> Bird logo and my associated design talents with respect. I deeply
> appreciate the many positive statements regarding my work and hope to
> continue in the wind sports business as a designer, R&D consultant or
> product manager. I sincerely hope Windwing will carry on the tradition
> of innovation and customer service I helped to establish.
> Best regards to you all,
> - Bill Hansen
> Hansen Designs
> Sail+Kite Design

by **Pepi** » Thu, 16 Feb 2006 15:10:17

Hi Bill :

I am sorry to hear about your departure from the Windwing brand. Your
contributions to the sport of windsurfing as owner and designer for
Windwing sails is something for us all to recognize and respect.

Sometimes change is a good thing, and I am sure that you are already
moving forward and pursuing new opportunities even as we write these
emails to you.

Back when you, Ami, Bob and Rick were in charge of the direction and
future of Windwing, there were some great products coming out the door
of the Windwing facilities. I was lucky enough to be around during that
time and very much appreciated the help and support that you and the
crew provided to me as a local racer back then.

Best wishes on your future pursuits and I'm sure we'll be seeing more
of your product developments out on the water this Spring, either
attached to either a pole or a set of strings.

Pepi Gerald
2nd Wind Sports LLC

Quote:

> Recent decisions by the current management effectively ended my 24 year
> association with the Windwing brand as of Dec 15th 2005. The deception
> of customers and supporters does not represent the business philosophy
> and tradition I strived to create over the 20 years in which I was the
> founder and principle owner. Therefore I am making this announcement to
> eliminate any confusion or misconception as to my relationship with the
> company or it's future products or services. This is a sad day for me
> and, from the comments here and in other forums, those who viewed the
> Bird logo and my associated design talents with respect. I deeply
> appreciate the many positive statements regarding my work and hope to
> continue in the wind sports business as a designer, R&D consultant or
> product manager. I sincerely hope Windwing will carry on the tradition
> of innovation and customer service I helped to establish.
> Best regards to you all,
> - Bill Hansen
> Hansen Designs
> Sail+Kite Design

by **ratho..** » Thu, 16 Feb 2006 16:42:18

Pepi,

Are you no longer w/ Sailworks?

kev

by **hanse** » Fri, 17 Feb 2006 04:58:12

Forum Readers and Members:
I've created a new domain where you can check out any news or contact
me.
Best regards to you all,
- Bill Hansen
_________________
Bill Hansen
Sail+Kite Design
http://www.hansenaerosports.com

by **Alan** » Fri, 17 Feb 2006 05:10:48

You're on our website!

Alan

--
Windsurfing Club: http://www.ibscc.org

Quote:

> Forum Readers and Members:
> I've created a new domain where you can check out any news or contact
> me.
> Best regards to you all,
> - Bill Hansen
> _________________
> Bill Hansen
> Sail+Kite Design
> http://www.hansenaerosports.com

by **The Do** » Fri, 17 Feb 2006 06:11:10

Quote:

> Pepi,

> Are you no longer w/ Sailworks?

> kev

IIRC, Pepi left Sailworks sometime around September of last year.

Hey Pepi, what's this "2nd Wind Sports" thing you've got going?

Dog
~~~
http://www.mariner-sails.com
http://www.thedoghouse.net

by **Pepi** » Fri, 17 Feb 2006 16:48:01

Hey guys:

After having the honor of working for Sailworks R+D, and before that,
Mistral USA, I have recently made the change to becoming small business
owner as one of the new owners of 2nd Wind Sports in Hood River,
Oregon.
My partners and I purchased 2nd Wind Sports in October and have been
working hard to integrate a new level of organization within the store
and a stronger connection with the local wind and snowsports community.

I'd like to say more, but this topic line is really more suited for
honoring Bill Hansen.

If any of you need to contact me, you can do so at :
pepi at gorge.net
or
2nd Wind Sports LLC (541)386-4464

Best regards,
Pepi Gerald

Quote:

> > Pepi,

> > Are you no longer w/ Sailworks?

> > kev

> IIRC, Pepi left Sailworks sometime around September of last year.

> Hey Pepi, what's this "2nd Wind Sports" thing you've got going?

> Dog
> ~~~
> http://www.mariner-sails.com
> http://www.thedoghouse.net

by **The Do** » Sat, 18 Feb 2006 11:39:59

Quote:

> I'd like to say more, but this topic line is really more suited for
> honoring Bill Hansen.

You can always change the subject line (like I just did) and toss us
a bone. ;-)

Glad to hear you're having fun (at least that's how I read it).

Dog
--
http://www.mariner-sails.com
http://www.thedoghouse.net

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