Wayne Penn Schafer
January 31, 1929 – June 1, 2020We 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.
