It is a sad week for Western Australian windsurfing with the tragic passing of Jan Wiersam last Thursday in Rockingham, and today it is sad to let the community know of Nude board shaper and local repairer James Hooper's passing on Sunday.
On behalf of all sailors in WA I would like to send condolences to both families.
A gathering for Jan was held on Sunday last weekend and one will be planned in the coming days for friends of James's to pay their respects.
James' father will be arriving in WA this week to attend to Jame's affairs including his workshop.
Many people will have board and other items either under repair/ finished or otherwise that they will wish to be returned.
The workshop will not be available to access at this time. We ask all people to not visit for equipment claims at the moment. The rental company of the unit and James's father will be creating access times for the collection of these items by the owners once a list has been compiled.
We ask that anyone with an item currently in for repair send their full contact details and description of the item/s to the email addresses below. Preferably with photo of the item if you have it and personal Identification will be needed at the time of collection.
These details will be passed onto the agent and they will contact you with a collection time.
please send your details to either of the following emails.
Paul@severnedesign.com
commercial@shellabears.com.au
Gutted to hear of Hoops passing. Totally shocked when i saw it posted on facebook yesterday. My condolences to his family and loved ones. A big loss to windsurfing as well. :(
May his memory be a blessing to his family and friends and to windsurfers everywhere who ride his shapes and wishing all of them a very long life. I shed a tear at his passing and I must confess I did not know him. Having just watched a video about the Starboard Nuevo from 2012 it says a lot about his innovative work at Nude, Starboard and later Severne. His deeply thought out insights about his approach to design and shaping lead me to conclude an immense design talent of the sport has passed. May peace be upon him.
Hoops was one of the best guys. Got me into windsurfing years ago when we were sailing 14s. Lent me a nude chubby which I learnt to sail on. 20 years later helped me in some hard times. Just wish I could have helped him more. Love ya mate
It is far too early for James to sail away. A good man. and a brilliant craftsman. I'll miss his stories and his laughter.
James' life celebration for his WA crew will be held this Saturday morning (6th Aug) at 10:30am, just offshore from South Beach, Fremantle. Central to the ceremony will be family & lifetime friends aboard 'Playground' and we invite all his windsurfing and sailing mates who wish to participate in a paddle-out, or with other boats to join, ALL WELCOME. If you can't be on the water, be on the beach. It will be short and sweet, just how he would've liked it, as we commit him to the ocean he so loved & lived for. A wake will follow at the Corner Pub from 2pm. Please share where you think necessary to get the word out as I can't reach everyone from here. Much love and thanks again guys for your support and assistance. (Please keep an eye out for plan 'B' to be shared here if the weather or conditions go pear-shaped)
The latest update from James' family is the wake after the morning paddle out at South beach will be held at the Beaconsfield pub 73 Wray Ave, Fremantle WA 6160 at 2pm. Everyone wishing to pay respects are welcome.
I am gutted that I could not make it so sorry Hoops.
Today is the anniversary of the loss of Owen Pallier ('Greenroom' on here). Who knows how long we have - so give someone a hug or tell them you care or something.
RIP to a couple of bloody good sailors and top blokes.
