One of the biggest importers and retail shops in Australia, Board Crazy in Belmont, Newcastle has closed its doors this week.

Board Crazy has been through its fair share of hard times since kiteboarding began... Most notable the very sad passing Andy Regan in April of 2011. Andy fostered the growth of wakestyle kiting in Australia through the early 2000's, and helped grow the Slingshot brand into what it is today.  

Through it all, the staff at Board Crazy have continued Andy's legacy and continued to provide Slingshot to shops around Australia, as well as see the Mystic brand become one of the biggest in Australia. Not to mention maintained one of the most well stocked and reputable kiteboarding, and windsurfing shops on the East Coast. They've taught thousands of people to kite, similar numbers to windsurf and recently even ventured into the stand up paddling game. But now, they've closed their doors. 

As said by owners Louise and Carl earlier this week:   "We would like to thank everyone for all the support you have given us over the last few years we have made many friends and know we will continue to see everyone around the traps on a more personal level."

Reasons for the close were shared with Slingshot dealers and close friends of the shop, and one of the main reasons was that the couple are starting a family and wanted a little more security in their lives, which is telling of how challenging the kiteboarding (and watersports) industry is. 

Could this be a sign of times to come for what we now know as the 'classic' Aussie kiteboarding shop?

Lets hope the online shopping revolution and dealer-direct sales models of these some kite companies don't destroy the retail network that has fostered & supported Australian kiteboarding since the beginning. 

As for Board Crazy, we're sorry to see you go!

Thanks for supporting the industry, and customers for all these years... 

#News #Kitesurfing #Kiteboarding #Slingshot #Mystic #Windsurfing #Paddling