Mike Gadd
Born in Peterborough, Mike Gadd took full advantage of his natural surroundings of an abundance of lakes, rivers and long winter months. It is safe to say, that his summers were spent out on the water and winters on the ski slopes. The sport of windsurfing, popularized in California in the 1960s, took off in Canada a decade later. In 1979, the largest windsurfing regatta ever in North America, was held Labor Day weekend on Clear Lake, just north of Peterborough. From across Canada, 138 male and female competitors raced over triangular, slalom and long-distance courses. In the end, Mike Gadd who ranked ninth in the world, defended his 1978 title of overall Canadian champion. He went on to become the overall Canadian Champion in Windsurfing Class in 79 and 80; the Canadian Champion Windsurfing Olympic course in 1981, Canadian open Windsurfing Class Champion in 1982; bronze medalist at the World Masters Games in Toronto in 1985 and Canadian Masters Champion in 1986. Mike is considered a pioneer of the sport in Canada. He, along with John Boothroyd and Ann Durrell, authored two books “The Book of Windsurfing – A Guide to Board Sailing Techniques” in 1981 and “The Book of Windsurfing – A Guide to Free Sailing Techniques” in 1988. His sport took him to competitions in many places across North American and around the world. A world class windsurfer and whitewater kayaker, Mike was also known as a very good technical snow skier and lived in Whistler from the 1970s to mid 1980s and where he now currently resides. Mike Gadd had a successful career not only as an athlete, but also by giving back to the sports he loves through instructing and coaching.
Year Inducted:
2022
Status:
Active
Born in Peterborough, Mike Gadd took full advantage of his natural surroundings of an abundance of lakes, rivers and long winter months. It is safe to say, that his summers were spent out on the water and winters on the ski slopes. The sport of windsurfing, popularized in California in the 1960s, took off in Canada a decade later. In 1979, the largest windsurfing regatta ever in North America, was held Labor Day weekend on Clear Lake, just north of Peterborough. From across Canada, 138 male and female competitors raced over triangular, slalom and long-distance courses. In the end, Mike Gadd who ranked ninth in the world, defended his 1978 title of overall Canadian champion. He went on to become the overall Canadian Champion in Windsurfing Class in 79 and 80; the Canadian Champion Windsurfing Olympic course in 1981, Canadian open Windsurfing Class Champion in 1982; bronze medalist at the World Masters Games in Toronto in 1985 and Canadian Masters Champion in 1986. Mike is considered a pioneer of the sport in Canada. He, along with John Boothroyd and Ann Durrell, authored two books “The Book of Windsurfing – A Guide to Board Sailing Techniques” in 1981 and “The Book of Windsurfing – A Guide to Free Sailing Techniques” in 1988. His sport took him to competitions in many places across North American and around the world. A world class windsurfer and whitewater kayaker, Mike was also known as a very good technical snow skier and lived in Whistler from the 1970s to mid 1980s and where he now currently resides. Mike Gadd had a successful career not only as an athlete, but also by giving back to the sports he loves through instructing and coaching.