Over the last couple of days a few of us here in Sydney have received some aweful news about our big mate Col.
Col has sustained an injury whie kitesurfing in waves at geraldton in WA that has resulted in him losing sight in one eys and having only 70% vision in the other. He has had 2 ops, the prognosis at best is minimal vision MIGHT return to the blinded eye (he may be able to see shadows), and he may get a further improvement in the eye that has 70% vision now, over the next couple of weeks.

He has been a good mate to many people in Sydney, and has been a real and positive contributor to maintaining access on Botany bay.

Col has spent his life helping other people, so lets help him in a dire time of need.

We are going to start an appeal, and details will be posted ASAP here about how to make a donation.

Col will be unable to work for a while and may never be able to return to the surveillance work he did in Sports clubs around Sydney.
I don't even want to think about whether he will be able to kite again.

Gutted for my mate.

Steve

**** hey, that sucks.

what the hell happened to him?

Col ,we wish u well & good recovery.
Marine,Cathy,Franck

Sounds like a detached retina.

Best regards to Col. I don't know him but I always feel a jolt when a fellow kitesurfer is injured.

All the best with your recovery Col,
look forward to seeing you back on the water
FF

kiting with one eye closed is really trippy but shouldn't stop him from doing what he likes. [positive thinking]

please pass my thoughts on to Col. I have kited with Col several times in Noosa and i consider him to be a good kiting friend (even tho i dont kite anymore)

been a while since i have looked at the forum and it is a huge shock to see this post

E

Col, sad to hear the news. Hopefully medical marvels will get you significant recovery. You are such a positive, supportive great natured bloke so you know this is only a hiccup - looking forward to seeing you happy face back on the water.

Well done Steve - as usual you're leading the way. I'll drop some cash into the shop next week.

Perhaps a benefit day with some raffles/silent auctions etc, will help with Col's expenses.

Rob

Hi Guys,

I spent most of yesterday with Col and the KKK crew up at Lano doing the downwinder to Wedge.

Col was in good spirits but absolutley spewing he couldn't do the downwinder. The downwinder was Col's and Kev's idea many months ago and he had been in serious training for it for months. Col and the other boys had been amping about the downwinder all week, which was the last part of their WA trip.

To have missed out on the trip was a cruel blow to the big fella. Col rode shotgun in the 4WD along the beach with my mate Azza whilst I followed the crew in the boat for the 25 k's to Wedge. Luckily Col and Azza had some good stuff in common and he had an amazing day out just enjoying the scenery and the 4WDing down the beach and through the dunes.

He kept a great attitude despite seeing everyone else out there doing "his" downwinder. I know Col and the boys will be back to maybe do it again in the future and we'll be here waiting for him to maybe do the Ledge to Wedge

The upside is that the swedish back packing chickies in the lodge took quite a shine to the big, buffed, chatty, Sydney fella wearing the glasses at night and spent some "special time" looking after him.

Col really is of "the good stuff", to quote the words of another fine old fella. I wish him well and would also like to help out with Cols' charity. I'll contact you soon Steve.

Look after the big guy, he has a bright outlook and is a great character. It was good to get to know him a bit better. See ya soon Col. The girls in WA will miss ya!

Cheers and good winds,

Col Rocks! All the best in your recovery mate and thank god for the great community we have as kitesurfers in Sydney. Makes me proud to be part of a great, supportive,kiting community such as ours!

Anybody who can help please donate what you can. Col is always there to help us out with local council issues and is generally a positive person in our community.

We Love you buddy!

All the best Col.

No doubt all your support crew will be ready to help you out on the water, when you get back to Sydney.

An awful accident that will change your life, but only a guy like you will be able to make those changes positive. The impact it has had on the kiting community continues, and the response is commendable.

Thanks Steve (KP) for letting me know.

PLEASE SEE MY THANKYOU POST

and thanks all for the suggestion re specialist eye docs...

I am so impressed with the WA hospital sytem and the eye surgeon who looked after me ... excellent.

I got a couple of sessions of lazer surgery whilst in WA and will be following up with a Sydney collegue of the WA Doc....Still have no vision in left eye but right eye is improving , however, the constant stream of floaters makes things a bit difficult at times.

Once things settle down a bit I will seek out some more advice so will be in contact with those of you with recommendations.

thankyou kiters ....one and all

when cols back on water we will have to all wear bells so he can hear / see us better!
heal up as best you can kiterbro
mother nature still loves ya.

sorry to hear the news col but I am sure you will bounce back. You were born with 2 eyes, but I am sure there is a little boy scout in you that won't ever say no or give up.
be positive mate I am sure that modern technology will be able to help you out

Col,

Sorry to hear about your injury. Mate, you are the legend of Sydney kiting. You're as tough as they come and I know you'll be back out there again soon.

Paul

Hi Col,

I was devastated to hear about your kiting accident and can only imagine what you’re going through. Through my experience of disintegrating my knee doing a jump, I can empathise that your journey of recovery will require every effort, both physically, mentally and spiritually to come out the other end. After a year of rehab, it continues to shock me at the people, places, and experiences that presented me on my journey back to kiting. Fate serves us a card and it’s how you play that card that counts. From someone who has experienced an interim loss of a passion and challenged in day to day activities, please lean on friends and family for support and love and be truly open about what you’re going through. This will speed up the recovery. Take care and I’ll have a bottle of champagne waiting at Kurnell when you’re back on the water. Regards Kat (new girl on the blocks at Kurnell kiting with my new fashion accessory – knee brace).