It would have been Steve's 74th birthday today, so today seems an appropriate day to post this.
Steve Brown, 73, member of the Pinnaroos, passed away of suspected heart attack whilst sailing at Lilacs Albany on Wednesday 1st March. He was in good spirits when he launched and was keen to try for an hour. He was excited to be using a sail he had just purchased off Kari Van Zonder. Time frame of events is unknown but an analysis of his GPS tracks may give an indication. Inspection of his gear shows it to be in good order so it does not look like there was an accident. A passerby noticed Reg's gear washed ashore and started enquiring of other sailors and kiters if anyone was missing. A fellow windsurfer went looking and spotted Steve's body floating face down in the water. He and ambulance personnel attempted to resuscitate but to no avail.
Steve was a keen triathlete and passionate surfer and windsurfer since childhood. He was very competitive and as a fellow teammate on GPS Team Challenge he was often pointing out that had we sailed just 0.01 knots faster or further we would have beaten another team.
He had the dry sarcastic wit of an Englishman which always made us all laugh when rigging. My last communication with him was via email from the night before when he forwarded a video of a popular windsurfer to me. Quote: "He's a good technician but he's a slalom guy, so he ignores the 7 main criteria for good speed sailing: more wind, more weight, more flat water, more balls, more modern kit, less age and more time sailing.. and in that order. Coaches make a living out of making stuff as complex and confusing as possible. Golf, swimming and running are classics for this."
A similar recent comment from Steve to another windsurfer called Mark, encapsulates his approach to life, quote: "Ta Mark (not tarmac), thanks! I have always been lucky to enjoy my sports whatever they have been. Not looking to be the greatest or best but the best I can be. I don't ever want to waste my time and have always tried to squeeze the max out of life, as it's such a huge gift from **** knows where! We're so amazingly lucky to be here now and where we are, so we've got to be grateful. We could have been born on Mars 50 yrs ago, that would have been a waste!"
Steve was confusingly and commonly known as "Reg". He said he called himself that as he had lived/worked around too many Steve's and it was confusing as to which Steve others were referring to when calling out, "hey Steve". This was in turn confusing as when a fellow windsurfer called me to let me know Steve had suddenly passed, he referred to him as Steve. I honestly thought he was talking about the 'other' Steve who is also a passionate local windsurfer. It was only when he referred to him as Reg did I understand who he meant.
Steve's real passion in his life however was his family. He leaves behind his wife Helen, his two sons and a dog which Steve always complained about having to clean up after.
Reg was always quick to encourage, congratulate, compete and laugh. His generosity in spirit, enthusiasm and warmth will be sorely missed by the Windsurfing community and our thoughts and condolences go out to all his family and friends.
Jim "Flex" Thompson.
Reg, we hope they have blue sky, strong wind and flat water where you are now.
Details of funeral/memorial service will be posted here when known
Photo courtesy of Woody - Mark.
Reg, centre, with his team mates Woody - Mark (left) and Antman (right)
Windxtasy
> 9 months ago, 4 Mar 2023
