Sailboarder silent

Maui man hasn't made
contact since July 24

By Greg Ambrose
Star-Bulletin

Maui sailboarder Steve Fisher has not been seen or heard from since July 24 on his quest to become the first person to pilot a sailboard from California to Hawaii.

The Coast Guard last spotted him drifting on light winds off San Clemente Island, but Jai On Berger, who on July 23 was the last person to speak with Fisher, isn't worried.

"His craft is more seaworthy in a storm than most boats that go out there," Berger said earlier this week. "He's capable of being out there a long time."

Fisher set sail from Marina Del Rey July 18 aboard his homemade 18-foot sailboard. But light winds prevailed and Fisher drifted south to try and pick up strong breezes from passing storms, of which there have been a couple. Most of the Pacific Ocean between the two states, however, has been under the influence of light winds for the past month.

Fisher has supplies to last at least 40 days.

Berger admits that he is mystified why Fisher hasn't contacted passing aircraft with his radio transmitter, but he's not ready to panic.

"His last words to me were, 'Tell everyone not to freak out. And pray for wind.' "