Windsurfer turns artist
Jeff Adamski enters glassblowing stand, features business Wind 4 LifeWORTHINGTON — From racer to artist, Jeff Adamski has made a creative impact on the Windsurfing Regatta and Unvarnished Music Festival.
By: Sarah Korthals, Worthington Daily Globe
- Windsurfer
WORTHINGTON — From racer to artist, Jeff Adamski has made a creative impact on the Windsurfing Regatta and Unvarnished Music Festival.
Adamski, of Otsego, has been an essential part of the Regatta from the very beginning. This year, however, he is trading in his sail for a tent on shore.
“I’m taking a year off,” Adamski said.
What’s getting this surfer off the water? He has begun glassblowing.
Last year, Adamski made the glass bases for the trophies presented to the racing champions at the Regatta. It was a joint effort with woodworker Jeff Hegwer, one of the event’s coordinators.
Adamski has been windsurfing for 26 years. It started while he was on a walk around Lake Calhoun. There was a windsurfer out on the lake, and Adamski was inspired to give it a try.
“I bought a board the next day,” he recalled,
It was before the Windsurfing Regatta even got on its feet that Adamski was involved. He was the regional director for United States Windsurfing Association.
“I got a call from Bill Keitel and Jeff Hegwer about this windy place in southwestern Minnesota, where they would like to have a windsurfing event,” Adamski said.
While the Regatta has evolved from those humble beginnings, Adamski is excited to be able to introduce his new skill to the annual event.
He has a business called Wind 4 Life that has been teaching people to windsurf for almost 10 years. Adamski is also a full-time toolmaker.
At his stand, glasses, vases, and bowls made in his classes will be on display throughout the Windsurfing Regatta.
Adamski has been glassblowing for a year and a half, a hobby that began as a simple fascination. At a Renaissance Festival, Adamski recalled, he remembers seeing a glassblower forming shapes.
“I spent two hours watching him,” he laughed.
After that, there was a studio tour a few years ago that he and his wife attended. From there, he decided he wanted to try it.
Adamski is attending glassblowing classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, the only college in the state that offers them. Because the equipment is cumbersome and expensive, he uses area studios that he either rents or volunteers at to get time to use the machinery.
Glass blowing is an art form that shapes glass by hand. There are many ways of adding color, Adamski said; clear glass is a lot easier. He will be starting another semester of glass-blowing classes soon.
Although he will not be doing any competing, Adamski said that he will still be getting out on the water.
“Worthington Okabena Windsurfers have turned their little fun social event into a world class event,” he said, “Congratulations on your 10th anniversary.”
“I spent two hours watching him,” he laughed.
After that, there was a studio tour a few years ago that he and his wife attended. From there, he decided he wanted to try it.
Adamski is attending glassblowing classes at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, the only college in the state that offers them. Because the equipment is cumbersome and expensive, he uses area studios that he either rents or volunteers at to get time to use the machinery.
Glassblowing is an art form that shapes glass by hand. There are many ways of adding color, Adamski said; clear glass is a lot easier. He will be starting another semester of glassblowing classes soon.
Although he will not be doing any competing, Adamski said that he will still be getting out on the water.
“Worthington Okabena Windsurfers have turned their little fun social event into a world class event,” he said, “Congratulations on your 10th anniversary.”
Tags: state and region, news, regatta, northland, outdoors, rec, sports
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