Most of the crew were kiting the front beach at Currumbin that Sunday afternoon. Chris Woodall – 48 - only arrived at 4pm after the best of the wind had gone.

I didn’t like the look of it that day; it was ominous and weird looking – to me anyway. I stayed on shore checking the conditions, talking to people and undecided on whether to get out there. After an hour I left to go and kite a beach further north – this was at 3pm.

Chris probably did not have the luxury of time. He pulled up and after a bit of a chat with the crew he busted on out there.
He made a few runs back and forth through the 4-ft of surf and without enough wind dropped his kite in the zone. Not quite being able to relaunch he separated himself from his gear and proceeded to make for the shore.

There is a strong sweep that takes you along the beach to a rocky headland at Currumbin that many a fine Waterman have found themselves upon. Chris was almost home, struggling to climb up the teeth like rocks with waves breaking all around him. Just as he was almost out a wave hit him, sent him off balance and back into the swirling water. This is when Chris presumably drowned.

They pulled his body ashore half an hour later.

Chris was a Waterman who died doing something he loved.

The Funeral is this Friday 1.30pm at the Catholic Church – Palm Beach – Queensland Australia