There are certain names that sailors recognize, and one of them is Nevin Sayre. Older windsurfers remember him as the pro smiling out from yet another 1980s magazine cover. 21st century sailors recognize him as the loony guy who created the UnRegatta. Readers of this blog met him a few months ago as one of my Seahorse victims.
Paul and I were lucky enough this year to share several days with Nevin at what’s perhaps Florida’s best wingfoiling venue, the Stuart Causeway. On any given day from mid-February through March, hopeful foilers from all over the continent will roll in—some before breakfast. A few set up their gear right away, while others settle onto a bench to chat through the forecast and what they should rig. By noon, vans and cars fill the coveted beach-adjacent parking places, the wooden fence drip-dries wetsuits, and both grass and beach teem with boards and wings.
It only takes a small teaser puff to inspire someone to test the breeze, and this so-called “wind dummy” then becomes another critical data point for the more patient folks: will s/he get up on foil? No matter where they sit along the wide range of ages and abilities, everyone is eager to both climb the learning curve and to help others do so.
Even in such a supportive crowd, Nevin’s approach (and that bright orange shirt) stands out. Shoreside, he’s like the Pied Piper of foiling; trying to help each of us learn, perhaps just slightly faster than is either realistic or comfortable. He’s never too busy to share a small but significant tip, and yet he somehow manages to rig and dress more quickly than anyone else.
On the water, even Causeway veterans struggle to keep up with both his top speeds and his string of foiling tricks. As another wingfoiler put it, “he’s always trying something new.” Fifty years of training on boards makes even the rare fall look choreographed. And he often stays on the water longer than anyone else; “The sunsets here are beautiful,” he told me.
I tend to think of myself as someone who pushes hard to improve, but Nevin made me realize how lazy my typical wingfoiling session really is. Even before I reach the outer edges of fatigue, I tend to repeat jibes and port-to-starboard tacks rather than try something new (which almost always leads to an exhausting fall).
Everyone learns at a different rate, and it was easy to find someone on that beach still trying to nail down the skills I’ve already mastered. But I was far more interested in hearing what Nevin had to say, because it takes a special attitude to constantly push beyond the comfort zone—especially without a prescribed timeline or structure. We’re never too old too learn, but most of us are too lazy to progress as fast as we could.
Trying new stuff is its own reward, even on the days when there isn’t any obvious progress. So as the water warms up this spring, I’m going to keep trying to channel my own inner Nevin: strive to learn better, while keeping it fun.
Got an inspiring person in your sailing or writing life? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and see you next Thursday.
Nevin is great, excellent teacher, fun, and always learning. Pleasure to have spent time on an off the water with him. Along with Carol his input and drive will keep me learning. Thank you Nevin!