Hey everyone just thought I would let a few locals know that I won't be local anymore! Leaving to take up a post in Hong Kong for a couple years or more if it works out. Have let a few locals know that I'm heading off so thought I should make it official.... Have had a great time learning how to kitesurf on the Goldie over the past 4 years and have made so many great friends and enjoyed your company on and off the water! I can now feel confident to show up anywhere in the world (ok not pipeline etc...) join the local crew without thinking I can't handle most conditions safely. (ok not unstrapped yet either!)
I would like to thank local kiter's who have been very generous with their time and encouragement during my steep learning curve. A special thank you to Fitzy who has always been extremely helpful and willing to offer invaluable advice to me on almost anything regards kiting - your help has been very much appreciated still remember the days at Loders 2006...
Thanks also to Paulio and the SEQKA committee for their hard work over the last few years helping to make kiting fun and safe in Queensland. I will miss my regular downwinders from the Spit to Narrowneck and visa versa..and I will miss all my kitesurfing buddies along the coast! I will be back for a couple weeks once or twice a year and look forward to catching up with many of you on the beach again. Duncan, Frankie, DK, Jono, Paulio, Fitzy, Tony, Jamie, Sam, Jake, Paul, Ang, Grant, (list goes on sorry if I missed anyone) and all the local Goldie Crew thanks for all your help and support over the last 4 years.
I still remember talking to DK and a group of guys at Narrowneck 2005 when they were kiting and I was still windsurfing and I inquired about kitesurfing and how to get into it...the rest has been a fascinating journey that has rekindled my love of water sports after 20 years of Windsurfing....
I would like to thank Simon (sa German) for striking up a deep friendship which transcended windsurfing, kiting, jujitzu and the 10th dimension! Simon was there from the start of my kitesurfing while we were windsurfing buddies then also migrating to kitesurfing while keeping his love of Windsurfing alive... Thanks to Simon for all the great times:- downwinders, kiting/windsurfing sessions, jujitzu, social events, dinners and hanging out time! Thanks also to Anna - Simon's partner - who has been a wonderful supporter of our water addiction often having to walk Zac for many miles waiting for us to finish! Big shout out to all the Windsurfing crew (wind wanderers) some of who have had a crack at kiting Pete, Cliff, Dan, haircut, Jason, the Scot who kindly rescued me with a spare harness in the middle of shear water after my kite pulled mine off - you guys rock!
Last but not least I would like to thank my partner Yoko who is coming with me to Hong Kong and who has been extremely supportive of my kitesurfing addition thru thick and thin. I must be the envy of many kiters as she drops me at the spit alone and 2 hrs later dutifully picks me up at Nobbies after some of the most titanic sessions! A couple downwinders from the Spit to Currumbin have been a solid test of our relationship! Many thanks to Yoko for allowing me to explore one of the most addictive sports on the planet today!
Will miss the Gold Coast and miss you all just as much! I wish you all good winds and great days at your favourite local and will see u on the water during my holidays back on the Goldie!
JOFFA out (for now)
PS. anybody know this part of Asia well pls give me some tips where to kite in my holidays - I have checked out local HK beaches and nearby islands but guessing there must be some nice kiting in places not too far away like Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, etc..
