Jimmy Diaz elected new PWA chairman

Jimmy Diaz follows in the footsteps of former chairman Phil McGain, who has held the position for twelve years.

McGain recently stepped down as PWA chairman to make way for another enthusiastic sailor to take on the position. Diaz was elected PWA chairman early October at the Annual General Meeting in Sylt, Germany.

McGain has served the PBA and PWA since 1990 first as a committee member and then stepping into the chairman’s role. McGain has been extremely active as a chairman with some very difficult tasks being completed, most notable being the transition of the Association from PBA to PWA in 1995, moving the main office from the UK to Hawaii in 2000 and turning the PWA into a profitable and successful organization. Rules, meetings, manuals, accounts and general high standard of events have been all of McGain’s priorities over the years as chairman.

“The chairman’s position is extremely challenging, but most certainly one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever taken on”, McGain comments on his role as chairman. “Being able to offer experience to the tour and continuity for all these years has been very satisfying and at the end of each season when the world champions are crowned you realize it’s all worth it. We have had a great management team and very active Board members over the ten years existence of the PWA which I think are the most important reasons for the continued success of the organization. I look forward to assisting Jimmy Diaz in his new position and I will continue to be active within the PWA team for many more years. With Jimmy’s passion for the sport, professionalism and success as an active sailor you can be assured the PWA is in good hands”.

Newly elected chairman Jimmy Diaz has been windsurfing since the age of twelve and competed in his first professional event four years later. While getting his university degree in electrical engineering, Diaz competed in the 1992 Olympics for the Virgin Islands. After university Diaz returned to his passion for racing and has been competing on the PWA tour ever since. Diaz has been very involved in the development process at several windsurfing companies, most currently as head of development at a major sail brand. Having seen the PWA go through a fair amount of changes as a competitor Diaz is now eager to contribute to its existence and success in his new role as PWA chairman; “I believe these are very exciting times for the PWA. There is a lot of energy and thought being put into developing a stronger, healthier tour which will help in the growth and promotion of our great sport on all levels. I look forward to working together with the media, event organizers, and other associations to bring about the necessary changes to accomplish this. I would like to thank Phil McGain for his undying dedication to the sport and the many years he invested for the good of the PWA and windsurfing in general.”