Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP TOP

Wayne Penn Schafer passes away

by Ruth Triglia, Hobie 8 Jun 2020 09:03 PDT
Wayne Penn Schafer : January 31, 1929 - June 1, 2020 © R. Paul Allen

January 31, 1929 - June 1, 2020

We have lost a true legend in the passing of beloved Hobie Cat Sailor and Icon Wayne Schafer. Wayne was one of Hobie Alter's biggest supporters and lifelong friends, and was an absolute evangelist of all things Hobie. Wayne was a true Ambassador to the sport of Hobie Cat sailing, and was invited to speak at Hobie Regattas around the world through the years because of his knowledge, his generous spirit, and his contagious passion for Hobie sailing.

Here at home, Wayne was every bit as much the rock star, and he was always available with his warm smile and generous spirit to welcome someone new to the sport, and to share tips on how to make their Cat fly!

Wayne lived his entire adult life on his cherished Poche Beach in Capistrano Beach, California. It was on this very beach that the Hobie 14 was conceived by Hobie, Wayne and Sandy Banks with a stick in the sand to draw out their vision of the perfect beach cat. Little did they know that their casual, carefree lifestyle would become a global phenomenon: 'The Hobie Way of Life'. It is only fitting that Wayne, at the tender age of 89 years young, was crew on a Hobie 16 in October of 2018, for Hobie Cat's 50th Anniversary Regatta held off of Doheny Beach in Dana Point, CA, an easy broad reach from his beachfront home on Poche Beach. Surf launching at 89... always inspiring. Our Hobie treasure.

Whether hosting his legendary 'Wednesday at Wayne's' all summer long at Poche, or nimbly racing his Hobie 14 in events around the globe, Wayne embodied all that we love about Hobie sailing, and The Hobie Way of Life: Casual. Adventurous. Welcoming. Gentlemanly. And first and foremost, Fun.

Wayners, you will live in our hearts and our memories with every flap of sails in the breeze, every beautiful sunset on the beach. Rest well, dear friend, we truly miss you already and will never forget you.

Related Articles

Tom Gruitt passes away
Sailing photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many Tom Gruitt, photographer, writer, video editor, but most of all, a friend to many, has passed away at the far too young age of 37. Posted on 30 May
Gloria Melges passes away at 93
Esteemed Race Committee Officer and Beloved Sailing Community Member Gloria Melges, a beloved member of the sailing community and an esteemed race committee officer, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024. Posted on 27 Jul 2024
Stuart Jardine passes away
One of the best known and most highly respected sailors in the UK One of the best known and most highly respected sailors in the UK has passed away at the age of 90. Lt Col. Stuart Jardine OBE won championships over a remarkable eight decades, representing Great Britain at both the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Nov 2023
Robin Allingham Aisher OBE | 1934-2023
Olympic medallist, Admiral's Cup winner, and past Royal Ocean Racing Club Commodore passes away Robin Aisher represented Great Britain at three Summer Olympic Games. He is one of the most successful sailors for the Admiral's Cup, winning on multiple occasions. Posted on 30 Jun 2023
Buddy Melges Passes Away at 93
One of the most accomplished and revered sailors in American history Harry Clemons "Buddy" Melges Jr., considered to be one of the greatest competitive sailors in the sport of sailing, passed away on May 18, 2023. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy as one of the most accomplished and revered sailors in American history. Posted on 18 May 2023
Vale Syd Fischer AM OBE
Yachting legend Syd Fischer passed away on Thursday afternoon, he was 95 Yachting legend Syd Fischer passed away on Thursday afternoon, he was 95. Posted on 27 Feb 2023
Offshore great Syd Fischer dies at 95
One of Australia's great sailors, Syd Fischer AM OBE, has died at the age of 95yrs. One of Australia's great sailors, Syd Fischer AM OBE, has died at the age of 95yrs. Posted on 25 Feb 2023
Multihull design pioneer Derek Kelsall passes away
The sailing world has lost a pioneering multihull designer and boat builder Derek Kelsall, the man who during his life created the modern day trimaran, who famously introduced Eric Tabarly to multihulls and who was one of the first to champion foam sandwich construction, died in hospital in Thames, New Zealand, aged 89. Posted on 2 Jan 2023
Derek Kelsall dies in New Zealand
Noted multihull designer, composite construction pioneer, and sailor, Derek Kelsall dies in NZ Derek Kelsall, the British-born pioneer in composite construction, offshore multihull design, and a noted solo and two-handed offshore competitor, has died in New Zealand Posted on 1 Jan 2023
Jeremy Rogers MBE: 1937 - 2022
One of Britain's most successful yachtsmen passes away Jeremy Rogers, one of Britain's most successful yachtsmen, made a life out of sailing from an early age, from making model boats as a small child before making his mark in yacht racing. He was as skilled with his hands as he was at the helm of a boat. Posted on 18 Oct 2022
Palm Beach Motor YachtsTrofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTER