Publisher Description

RACING WITH ALOHA is part adventure tale, part spiritual memoir, enchanting anyone who loves the water, who longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands, and who relishes the idea that life can unfold effortlessly and exactly as it should.
No one knows who first put a sail on a surfboard, but everyone would agree that Fred Haywood pioneered the sport of windsurfing. Few know he is also an Olympic contender who swam a record-breaking backstroke alongside his friend Mark Spitz. Before he discovered speed sailing, he surfed with the likes of Gerry Lopez, exploring exotic undiscovered surf spots around the world. Only his friends know how growing up on the island of Maui influenced him to carry his success with humility and generosity, stressing camaraderie over competition and preferring fun over fanfare.
RACING WITH ALOHA weaves throughout the inspiration Fred Haywood's dad instilled in him, which blended a pervasive commitment to accomplishment with a liberating attitude that all is well, all the time. Fred embodied his father's lessons to become a professionally successful, easygoing, sincerely humble man who is respected and beloved by all—friends and competitors alike.
RACING WITH ALOHA is a delightful story that will enchant anyone who loves or longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands. Young readers will delight in the story of a youth who swam with sharks—by accident, of course—and who was as surprised as his coach and teammates to find himself featured in Sports Illustrated magazine. Water aficionados will long for the days of surfing undiscovered beaches. And the countless windsurfing enthusiasts who trekked to Maui in the 1980s, following in Fred's wake, will relish the memories he shares of windsurfing Ho'okipa, the legendary beach still boasting some of the biggest waves in the world.

Author Biography

Fred Haywood swam with Mark Spitz, surfed with Gerry Lopez, and pioneered the sport of windsurfing with Laird Hamilton. Legendary Santa Clara swim team coach George Haines coached him to a national championship at seventeen. Fred was a silver medalist backstroker at the 1967 Pan American Games and became a multiple NCAA and American record holder. Fred continued his winning ways when, in 1983, he broke the world speed record in Weymouth, England and became the fastest windsurfer in the world, a record he held for two years. He was featured in major international news outlets including Life magazine for surfing "the biggest wave in the world" at Ho'okipa on the north shore of Maui. For nearly a decade, countless water sports enthusiasts followed his career. At the age of forty, Fred gave up his professional sports career to raise a family and sell real estate on his beloved Maui where he resides. He is now one of the most successful realtors on the island and a popular teacher for realtors around the country.

Review

Fred Haywood has a blend of the intellectual, philosopher, athlete, adventurer, quiet warrior, and curious student. This book entertains, informs, and inspires. There are heroes amongst us, and Fred is one of mine. – Laird Hamilton
From being one of the best swimmers on the planet to becoming the fastest man on a windsurfer and so much more, I am honored to know someone as humble and inspiring as Fred Haywood. – Kai Lenny
I have a single, enduring image of Fred—a man smiling broadly, ready for what storms may come. In my mind, he is always carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon for that last biggest wave to ride, the last fastest windsurfing run, or the last swim meet we swam in together. – Mark Spitz
The author draws a rich and detailed portrait of Maui, capturing an island developing quickly amid the swirls of change in the latter half of the 20th century. His writing on water sports is compelling and vivid with action. From start to finish, his affection for Maui shines through: "I will always come home to Maui because Maui will always be home." – Kirkus Reviews
How he came to set world records and ride the biggest wave in the world makes for invigorating "you are here" reading that will delight avid surfers and armchair enthusiasts alike. To view Racing with Aloha as a memoir alone would be to do it a disservice. Haywood's exploration of surfing, Hawaiian culture, and how his own life unfolds creates a multifaceted read recommended not just for memoir readers, but anyone with an interest in Hawaii and surfing culture. -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews
Racing with Aloha is an engaging account of a life spent navigating through often choppy waters. Haywood is a solid writer, and his depictions of surfing and swimming exploits are energetic and concise enough to engage even lounge chair adventurers. -BlueInk Review
Racing with Aloha is an adventurous memoir about competition and friendship in the world of water sports. Haywood displays a genuine love for all things water, from his own sports (swimming, surfing, and windsurfing) to fishing and sailing. That love is infused throughout the book, giving it a lighthearted and breezy feel.Haywood's father features into the text as a mentor and challenger, reminding him to remain humble even as he breaks swimming records and becomes a well-known windsurfer. This is a lesson well learned, as every competition-related anecdote is filled with respect and camaraderie for fellow competitors, many of whom are now water sporting legends. Haywood's story is just one example of how embracing aloha leads to lifelong friendships among competitive athletes. -Clarion Review

Promotional

Focus on connecting with people interested in watersports and Hawaii Work with a professional book publicistTarget audience members with paid adsSubmit to major industry reviewers, including Publisher's Weekly and Foreword ReviewsPursue placement with online and traditional media outlets

Long Description

RACING WITH ALOHA is part adventure tale, part spiritual memoir, enchanting anyone who loves the water, who longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands, and who relishes the idea that life can unfold effortlessly and exactly as it should. No one knows who first put a sail on a surfboard, but everyone would agree that Fred Haywood pioneered the sport of windsurfing. Few know he is also an Olympic contender who swam a record-breaking backstroke alongside his friend Mark Spitz. Before he discovered speed sailing, he surfed with the likes of Gerry Lopez, exploring exotic undiscovered surf spots around the world. Only his friends know how growing up on the island of Maui influenced him to carry his success with humility and generosity, stressing camaraderie over competition and preferring fun over fanfare. RACING WITH ALOHA weaves throughout the inspiration Fred Haywood's dad instilled in him, which blended a pervasive commitment to accomplishment with a liberating attitude that all is well, all the time. Fred embodied his father's lessons to become a professionally successful, easygoing, sincerely humble man who is respected and beloved by all--friends and competitors alike. RACING WITH ALOHA is a delightful story that will enchant anyone who loves or longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands. Young readers will delight in the story of a youth who swam with sharks--by accident, of course--and who was as surprised as his coach and teammates to find himself featured in Sports Illustrated magazine. Water aficionados will long for the days of surfing undiscovered beaches. And the countless windsurfing enthusiasts who trekked to Maui in the 1980s, following in Fred's wake, will relish the memories he shares of windsurfing Ho'okipa, the legendary beach still boasting some of the biggest waves in the world.

Review Quote

Fred Haywood has a blend of the intellectual, philosopher, athlete, adventurer, quiet warrior, and curious student. This book entertains, informs, and inspires. There are heroes amongst us, and Fred is one of mine. - Laird Hamilton From being one of the best swimmers on the planet to becoming the fastest man on a windsurfer and so much more, I am honored to know someone as humble and inspiring as Fred Haywood. - Kai Lenny I have a single, enduring image of Fred--a man smiling broadly, ready for what storms may come. In my mind, he is always carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon for that last biggest wave to ride, the last fastest windsurfing run, or the last swim meet we swam in together. - Mark Spitz The author draws a rich and detailed portrait of Maui, capturing an island developing quickly amid the swirls of change in the latter half of the 20th century. His writing on water sports is compelling and vivid with action. From start to finish, his affection for Maui shines through: "I will always come home to Maui because Maui will always be home." - Kirkus Reviews How he came to set world records and ride the biggest wave in the world makes for invigorating "you are here" reading that will delight avid surfers and armchair enthusiasts alike. To view Racing with Aloha as a memoir alone would be to do it a disservice. Haywood's exploration of surfing, Hawaiian culture, and how his own life unfolds creates a multifaceted read recommended not just for memoir readers, but anyone with an interest in Hawaii and surfing culture. -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Reviews Racing with Aloha is an engaging account of a life spent navigating through often choppy waters. Haywood is a solid writer, and his depictions of surfing and swimming exploits are energetic and concise enough to engage even lounge chair adventurers. -BlueInk Review Racing with Aloha is an adventurous memoir about competition and friendship in the world of water sports. Haywood displays a genuine love for all things water, from his own sports (swimming, surfing, and windsurfing) to fishing and sailing. That love is infused throughout the book, giving it a lighthearted and breezy feel. Haywood's father features into the text as a mentor and challenger, reminding him to remain humble even as he breaks swimming records and becomes a well-known windsurfer. This is a lesson well learned, as every competition-related anecdote is filled with respect and camaraderie for fellow competitors, many of whom are now water sporting legends. Haywood's story is just one example of how embracing aloha leads to lifelong friendships among competitive athletes. -Clarion Review

Description for Sales People

Enchants anyone who loves or longs for the timeless mystique of the Hawaiian Islands Readers delight in the story of a youth who swam with sharks Features forewords by legends Mark Spitz and Laird Hamilton Features a special acknowledgment by Kai Lenny, the youngest, most popular star on the water today Introduces the world to windsurfing and puts Maui on the map

Details