Waterman Hall of Fame nominee ~ Don Renuart~ the interview!

I recently caught up with Don to talk about his recent nomination to the Watermans Hall of Fame. Here is the riveting conversation I had with him covering his windsurf career, his transfer to kiteboarding and other poignant topics. Enjoy!

Red Sky: You windsurfed forever before taking up kiting, what drew you to the water in the first place?

Don: You know, there’s like a boat-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I’m pretty good with a bow staff

Red Sky: ummm, thats great, lets try again, your cousin got you into windsurfing in Florida, lending you gear, correct?

Don: Well, I have all your equipment in my locker. You should probably come get it cause I can’t fit my numchucks in there anymore.

Red Sky: I didn’t lend you any equipment….you started making your own boards down there during the peak of the windsurfing boom, how’d you do it?

Don: I already made like infinity of those at scout camp

Red Sky: all right, moving on, what factor made you switch from windsurfing- where you were considered to be one of the very best to kiteboarding-where you had to start all over & work yourself back to the top-was it the allure of the air?

Don: Last week, Japanese scientists explaced… placed explosive detonators at the bottom of Lake Loch Ness to blow Nessie out of the water. Sir Cort Godfrey of the Nessie Alliance summoned the help of Scotland’s local wizards to cast a protective spell over the lake and its local residents and all those who seek for the peaceful existence of our underwater ally.

Red Sky: Soooooooo Nessie drove you to kiting? OK, lets try & focus- remember when we first met years ago, you had that van with the windsurf mural, all the adventures, those were some fun times, what comes to your mind from those early days?

Don: Well, you had a sweet bike. And you’re really good at hooking up with chicks. Plus you’re like the only guy at school who had a mustache.

Red Sky: we didn’t go to school together….

Don:  and I caught you a delicious bass.

Red Sky: well, I can see this is going no where fast! One last easy question, lets get this one right. They used to refer to you as “the panther” during your MCO days, honestly I never saw it, but the question is what is your favorite animal?

Don:  A liger.

Red Sky: whats a liger?

Don:  It’s pretty much my favorite animal. It’s like a lion and a tiger mixed… bred for its skills in magic.

Red Sky: any thing else to add before the Watermans hall of fame voting takes place?

Don:  Just tell them that their wildest dreams will come true if they vote for me.  😆

219 thoughts on “Waterman Hall of Fame nominee ~ Don Renuart~ the interview!”

  1. dang you wind! today! I was thinking that I could make my victorious return to the water today! I’m not risking re-injuring my boo-boos for marginal wind!

  2. Still alive, just haven’t seen any wind.
    Out of town for the holiday, so i missed the one day this summer.

  3. SUPs (thats stand up paddleboards for you not in the know) are arriving Monday, 7/8. I’m just saying with the lack of summer wind & all……..We’ll cut you a killer deal!

  4. f’n ruptured Plantar tendon I’m missing the rare summer NE wave day! Its killing me! 7/27 can’t come fast enough. Man, I hope someone got some & I’m sure my stellar riding, quick wit & good looks were missed 😉

    1. Started with John on his 7 and Patrick on his 10. Patrick was completely depowered and still got blown off the water. Ryan pumped 7 when he got there but switched to his 6 after a mishap. I had pumped up my 9 while John and Patrick were out, so when Ryan was forced to pump his second kite, I had him launch me.

      9 was the perfect call.

      I started out depowered, but eventually went full powered and I threw many, many jumps. It was an awesome day. We just needed some windsurfers out there to complete the picture. There was not a single pole on the water today.

      http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2200386

    2. Another EPIC day at Bay Point yesterday. Overpowered on 5.5 by sunset. Very big waves. Even had a buddy join me for the first time over there. So the windsurfers were represented!!! Should have called in sick this morning it was still almost as good.

        1. No. His name was Jason. Lives up here in the summer and florida in winter. And no he’s not some retiree. Younger than me. Has quite the gig. He does parasailing at PIB, but you can’t do that when its windy. Perfect!!!

  5. well, hopefully that UT sensor is off again-which it always seems to be on anything N. Its lesson or bust! hopefully for lesson Chris its not bust!

    1. Got in a late solo session yesterday evening. I arrive at about 6 and it was marginal 13+big-board conditions. Within 10 minutes, it picked up and I got just over an hour’s worth of perfect 13 kite+small board riding. Lots of jumps. Lots of cheers from a packed beach. Need more of that.

  6. Andy F looking to see if anyone is riding, I told him no takers on tonites crappy forecast, if someone sees otherwise submit comment.

  7. So who was the windsurfer planing across maumee bay last night? Chuck? Gary?
    Almost sold me….wind died shortly after

    1. I think Gary, he stopped in the shop earlier & said he was going to get out since its been a while since his last ride.

  8. well that big NW wind that was supposed to hit tomorrow(thursday) has disappeared & the forecasts are showing single digits now! Unreal!

      1. I saw that forecast, too. I posted about it on the cycling page on FB. An hour later, it was gone. I was sad.

        Every time you get excited about a big forecast more than 24 hours out, God kills a kitten.

  9. Today at Maumee Bay state park we are having a “Howdy Sailor” trick contest during Ride Night. The best Howdy Sailor caught on film wins 4, yes 4 Red Bulls! Here are the odds so far: John -even, Ryan- 5 to 1, Pete-2 to 1, Patrick 10 to 1, Don – 2 to 1, Brad- 6 to 1, Andy- 3 to 1, Winne Chris- even.

  10. It looks like Thursday is the real deal & I’m still jacked up. I’m going to try riding anyways…….I think.

      1. John reported from 8 AM yesterday crappy 13 kite, seemed like it should be good but couldn’t get going. Went home after a few hours.

    1. I ended up being John & Ryans personal photographer. I’ll dump the pics in the gallery tomorrow.

  11. BIG WIND STARTING FRIDAY!
    I will be on the Ocean next week with no access to windsurf gear.
    Guaranteed wind for all others, my sacrifice is your gain.

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