US Windsurfing welcomes Christine O’Connor as new director for the Central region of the U.S.! – US WINDSURFING

We’re stoked to have Christine O’Connor join us as the new regional director for the Central/Mid-Gulf region of the U.S.! Christine lives near Dallas, Texas, and will be responsible for promoting our sport in the Central states, including the Gulf Coast.

Christine has 25 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies, so she knows a thing or two about building awareness and excitement around global programs! But she’s just as adept at building grassroots programs as she is in the boardroom. She currently leads the North Texas Wind Riders association where she manages the group’s finances, social network presence, and major regatta events. Membership has gone up 30% this year thanks to “Learn to Windsurf” classes that she runs straight our of her home on the lake!

“I learned to Windsurf at a young age in Megan’s Bay, St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” she remembers. “While I could only windsurf on school breaks, I fell in love with the sport and wanted to compete in racing and freestyle. I never had the opportunity to compete back then, and the real world intervened, starting my path through college and corporate America. When I came back to the sport in 2017, I jumped at the chance to become part of the racing community and fulfill those childhood dreams. I started racing in the Kona Class, and have not missed any US or World Championship event since!”

Christine will play an active role in driving exposure with the general public at a key moment in the sport’s development. “Windsurfing is going through a renaissance around the country,” says Jerome Samson, president of US Windsurfing. “It offered an escape from reality during the pandemic, and plenty of new toys are adding to the excitement too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Christine with a frown on her face, and I’m incredibly excited to have someone with her organizational skills and positive energy join the team!”

Christine takes the baton from Houston-based Manny Convert, who has spent five years at the helm and been instrumental to energize the local windsurfing scene in and around Galveston Bay. A heartfelt thank you to Manny for his many contributions to US Windsurfing, and a big welcome to Christine!