Rob Warwick receives the 2014 Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association’s Windsurfer of the Year award last week from CGWA executive director Greg Stiegel during the group’s annual end-of-season party. Warwic was also voted for the Most Stoked award.
Rob Warwick receives the 2014 Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association’s Windsurfer of the Year award last week from CGWA executive director Greg Stiegel during the group’s annual end-of-season party. Warwic was also voted for the Most Stoked award.
The Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association closed out the 2014 season with its annual end of season party and Gorge Windsurfing Awards last week at Springhouse Cellar in downtown Hood River. Nominees for five awards were selected, then winners were chosen by the windsurfing community via an online vote.
Topping the list was Rob Warwick, who was selected as both the Gorge Windsurfer of the Year and the Most Stoked windsurfer for his presence on the water this season. In addition to being one of the friendliest and most supportive ambassadors of the sport in the Gorge, Warwick is a rock-solid sailor who constantly pushes himself on the water.
“It was Rob’s year,” CGWA executive director Greg Stiegel noted. “Rob is not only one of the nicest guys on the beach, he is one of the best sailors out there, going huge and pushing the limits.”
The husband-wife duo of Sam and Scotia Bauer were named Most Selfless Windsurfers of the year in honor of their tireless dedication to keeping the long running Gorge Cup windsurfing race series alive and well.
“Sam and Scotia put in a tremendous effort in Gorge Cup year in year out,” Stiegel said. “Scotia doesn’t even windsurf and still is dedicated to running a high class race. Sam gets up at 5 a.m. every race to get the boat in the water and everything ready to go. These two truly demonstrate what being a selfless windsurfer is.”
Representing the up-and-coming crowd of young rippers, 12-year-old Kevin Johnson was selected as recipient of the Grom of the Year award. Johnson is a product of the CGWA Gorge Groms youth windsurfing program and, three years after learning, put in more than 40 days on the water this summer.
“No one in his family windsurfs,” Stiegel explained. “Kevin is drawn to the sport by an internal spark that never quits. Kevin spent over 40 days this summer windsurfing by bugging every adult he could think of for rides. I challenge anyone to get 40 days on the water without being able to drive.”
Tyson Poor picked up the final award of the night – the “Dale Cook” Big Air Award. Anyone who has seen Poor shredding the Hatch on a classic Gorge summer day will attest, he’s a shoe-in for the award this year.
“Tyson has been going the biggest this summer; enough said,” Stiegel commented. “And not only does he go big, he is pushing the limits of modern freestyle in the Gorge.”
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