Brain tumours and Bondi don't mix...

...well for kiting. (Apologies for posting a little off forum topic. I have posted in 'The Hookup' but not sure how many people really look in there. I never did.)

Herein is a plea and an admonishment to fellow kiters. Despite my best efforts over the years to protect myself from the hazards of the sun, I was diagnosed, one year ago now, with stage 4 melanoma. First line of treatment went well for 9 months but then the melanoma became resistant and progressed; to the brain unfortunately. That being so, I lost my driving privileges.

It has been a sh**ty last 3 months of feeling...well, sh**ty, exacerbated by not being able to drive myself to go kiting the odd time I have felt well enough. However, I'm very happy to say the immunotherapy I'm now on is working and all metastasies are shrinking as evidenced by recent scans. Unfortunately they can't reinstate my driving privileges until perhaps the next scan in 3 months shows either disappearance, continued shrinkage or at least stabilisation of existing brain mets (there were only 3 and they are all very small now).

So I'm stuck living in Bondi with the summer cycle of NE's and Southerlies coming on with no wheels. I generally used to surf-kite Cronulla/Wanda both for the NE's and Southerlies and kiteboard Kurnell if it's low tide (for the little flat water you get between the groins at least). And sometimes even day trips to central coast - picnic point/canton/Bellmont etc. In fact, I'll kite anywhere if it's either surf or flat water. I've just never found much pleasure in slop and chop the likes of which you get in Botany Bay.

So, here's the plea: Are there any kiters in the Bondi area willing to give a guy a lift to Cronulla/Kurnell anytime they are headed that way? Or to anywhere else of course that's non slop/chop. Happy to pay for petrol. Oh, and don't worry, I'm perfectly normal in every way with control over all my mental and physical faculties. Which means, no, I won't drone on like a lunatic in your passenger seat or drool into my lap and I am just as content to engage in erudite conversation as sit quietly.

And the admonishment obviously: Please always wear your sunscreen and protection. Especially if you're still young. And more especially, if you have kids, never never let them burn. It's the sun damage you get when you're young that's gonna get you later on.

Thanks.

Ed.

Good advice mate. Good to hear you are well.

Get out in Bondi. I'm pretty sure if you kite between those McDonalds coloured flags they put you on TV. And what's best is you can pull the back end story sympathy card!

... 'carn NSW kiters, help the brother out man, the dudes been surviving a sh!t time in his life and the least you mob can do is give him a ride to the beach!!!!! Pretty sure he'd be stoked, even to just hang out a bit with fellow kiters talking sh!t!!!!

Robbie

Can't help you out with the lift unfortunately, as I don't live anywhere near Bondi.

But I kite regularly at Cronulla and would be stoked to share a session with you if you can get down this way

Jump on a train and come on down to Jervis Bay. I will pick you up from the train station that's about half an hour away. Seriously, I feel your pain. I nearly lost my wife 19 years ago from her melanoma. It was scary as ****. Now she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Life is a blink and a blur sometimes, we need to live each moment cause that is the only guarantee we have. I have plenty of room here. Seriously Ed, offer is here...

Hey Ed! I can help you as live in Tama and have a car and so can my local Bondi kiting friends if for some reason I'm not here Call me 0458 754 863 my name is Bella Zanesco

Awesome guys ...above.

So much love!

Thanks immeasurably to the people that have replied with offers of a ride. And also to the those with kind messages of support. So heartening! Will be in touch and text my number in introduction soon. Thanks again.