1976 was the First Hobie 16 Worlds held in Hawaii, it was my first worlds, I was 19 and I remember not qualifying, but got to go surfing all week. Thirty-eight years later 2014 marks the 20th Hobie 16 Worlds Event. I'm thrilled the Hobie 16 Class has had such great success for so many years, a real tribute to the Hobie 16 One Design Class and the thousands of sailors around the world who've competed on the Hobie 16 all these years.
This will be my first Grand Masters event and I'm hoping it will be a little easier than the Open event, unless the Aussies and South Africans from the 80's have aged along with me? How old's Waterhouse and Dodds now 45 or something? I'm looking forward to catching up with friends, doing a little racing, surfing and hanging out at the pub with the old geezers they call Masters now.
I know my father is proud of all Hobie sailors worldwide who make it possible to hold this 20th Hobie 16 Worlds!
Happy Sailing!
Hobie Alter Jr.
