Hello all,
This is indeed a bummer. I stopped in with my son yesterday to visit with Steve and he was unpacking some new kayaks to get on the water. Steve has been fantastic in helping to get my son windsurfing and always takes care of any windsurfing need I have.
Regarding the future of CDGA Sailboarding, he did give me a few fuzzy details (he’s understandably guarded). Steve seems pretty optimistic about the sale of the shop. He mentioned wanting more time to get on the water as a reason that he is selling. I got the impression that he was looking for a change after nearly 40 years, and that an option that he felt good about arose. CDGA Sailboard will finish out the summer at the very least, so rest assured you have some time to get gear from Steve.
Steve mentioned that his hope for the location is that it will still exist as an outlet for water sports and that the prospective owner is a big advocate for water access and even still continuing to sell windsurfing equipment. I got the feeling that Steve feels very strongly about the shop remaining something similar to what it is now. A renovation may also be forth coming.
Nothing is official until contracts are signed and keys are handed over, so cross your fingers for Steve Howie and windsurfing.
CDGA Sailboarding gear is available (shirts and hats) is available, so get down to Canandaigua and catch up with Steve and gear yourself up.
Doug W.