So we have this guy Glenno who is a local at our Magnetic Island kite spot.

Naturally gifted athlete, but a bit of a wild man. And totally strapped for cash.

He's been riding for about 2 years on a slingy fuel 11m 2003 and a cabrinha access 12m from 2002. Both of them with more patches than an old pair of jeans, prone to deflating without notice, and of course terrible relaunch and safety systems. Bought both kites and an old stonker 154 board for $150 from some guy in Melbourne. Never had a lesson in his life. Learnt to jump and kiteloop by sending it on the beach and getting dragged up through the beachside vegetation (all while laughing his head off), Used to regularly just ride the stonker straight up onto the beach at high speed, flip onto his guts and then regain his feet just before the kite hit the trees.

His riding has improved a lot, despite the gear. Jumps, kiteloops, rolls.....he's getting them all pretty regularly now.

One of those guys.....I'm sure many of you know them!

Here he is with my son and his 2002 Cab.



Anyway, we ride a lot in 14-18kn winds and he is always underpowered, and if his kite hits the water (which it does a bit, cos he goes for it) then he often just drifts back into the beach.

We are always telling him to upgrade his gear, and his reply is always "can't - too broke"

So, me and another local decided to surprise him and buy him a secondhand kite. Chris was in on the secret and did us a great deal on a 2007 12m rebel, which just arrived today. So we are about to take it to the beach and pump it up now, and then call Glenno down on some pretext.

Gonna take the camera and get some pics of his face!

will keep you updated......

Andy

You guys have just renewed my faith in people. I wish I was there to see the look on his face. Cheers, and my hat is off to you guys for looking after a fellow kiter.

Ha, that was a classic afternoon.

we were texting him all day, winding him up "get straight down the kite spot mate, there's something serious we need you for"!

To cap it off, the fire engine rocks up for some hose practice just before Glenn arrives. He was thinking I had my kite high up a tree or in a powerline!

Here are the boys hiding kite as the ferry comes in with Glenn on board


Glenn arrives at the spot - "what the f*** is going on!!"


We gave him the North pump and said that was his early birthday present, as he is always pinching our pumps (kite was hidden on the beach).

Then led him to beach and said "oh by the way, this came with the pump"!

Glenno speechless after seeing his new kite!


Glenn rigging


The rebel in the air. He was hooting the whole time!


Now just need wind! Wednesday onwards looking good.

Priceless, the look on his face. We said "any time we need kites pumped up for the next 2 years, you're the bitch Glenno".

I had a grin from ear to ear reading this. What a great thing to do for one of your mates. Really great. Hope the the wind appears soon.

Chris

Brilliant
What a fantastic idea and thread
Should be more of it

I hope all involved will be rewarded with buckets of good karma

That is a really nice story to read... good on you guys!
(you also put a big smile on my face too!)

The forecast is looking promising
Perhaps this is karma at work already

Tropical Waters, Cardwell to Bowen:
Wednesday: SE winds 15/20 knots increasing to 20/25 knots overnight. Lighter winds inshore early. Inshore afternoon NE sea breezes 15/20 knots. Seas from 1.7 to 2.2 metres in open waters. Isolated showers.
Thursday: SE winds 20/30 knots.
Friday: SE winds 20/30 knots.