"Windo surfo"

While spending this weekend in Japan, I visited the oldest windsurfing shop in Japan, De Mer.
Started in 1976, it has been a family run business for 35 years. It helped set the path for Japanese shops where not only does it sell gear and offer lessons, but it offers board and rig storage for customers. This also creates a "club" feeling and a simple meeting area is maintained that includes erecting a dome in wintertime that is a heated warm up spot and general gathering place.
Outside is some serious windsurf history in various states of decay, and the surroundings are humble, but very functional. De Mar is one of Hot Sails Maui top selling shops in Japan, and they are strong supporters of kids camps and introducing women to windsurfing.This very faded Hot sticker is at least 20 to 23 years old!
Shop founder Mr. Ookawa and I pose with his first Windsurfer® wooden boom from 1975 or perhaps earlier. He is now joined by his son Shun who teaches windsurfing and works in the shop along with other family members.