NAME- Gary Schultz

DATE OF BIRTH (MEANING OLD BUGGER OR NOT?)- 11 May 1960 Technically I prefer the term experienced to old bugger :-)

TIME KITING- Generally I have spent most of my life in the ocean. I surfed competively in South Africa and have participated in most water sports at some time or another. I started Kiting when it was first introduced in to the UK. I went on a Kite surfing instructors course in the Philippines and became a fully fledged IKO instructor – unfortunately I can’t be bothered to teach anyone as this would cut down my own time in the water! My biggest regret though is that Kite surfing had not being invented sooner. (I would be good by now).
My favourite style is riding strapless on my surf board as I am getting to old for monkey tricks and it hurts when you crash.

FAVORITE SPOT- Any surfing break – but I am a regular at the Ho with all the usual suspects!

MOST MEMORABLE SESSION- I have to agree with Pete on this one – the 54 mph Saturday afternoon in which Nick and I sent Pete out first as a crash test dummy! It was blowing a gale and I was sat in the car debating whether to go out or not. Pete turned up and somehow we talked each other in to it. Whilst getting kitted up Nick arrived and unfortunately for Nick the decision was already made and he could not back down or else he would lose face! It was super bumpy conditions and it was very enjoyable to watch Pete and Nick look like puppets on a string - as Pete mentioned in his profile I have the luxury of more ballast.
Another memorable occasion was when Bev prevented me and Sly from sustaining serious injury by placing her body between us and the water - two separate incidents but in one session! Get well soon Bev and thanks for protecting the camera.
There was also the Kite surf trip to Teignmouth in which I didn’t participate but decided to act as camera man -purely for self preservation reasons – as there was a high number of the Ho’s local lunatics on the water. I was fortunate enough to capture Sam pulling off Teapot impressions over the bar whilst Colin went super big and administered a self-induced enema (Respect). Bev was quite happy to accompany me knowing there was no chance of being wiped out this time.
Kitesurfing also gets me close to nature, whilst out I came across a Manx Shearwater struggling and in distress. I managed to scoop it up with one hand and continue to shore whilst the bird endeavoured to rip the flesh off my bones. Despite this I made it in to shore using one hand only to find Bev panicking that I had broken my arm due to the strange style I had adopted. On closer inspection Bev thought the bird was injured, as there was so much blood, needless to say it was mine. The Manx stayed for B&B and we are happy to report he was released at a sanctuary at Hartland and is probably now in Argentina!

WORST KITEMARE- One late winters night, whilst packing away the baby 7metre slingshot rev, after an extreme session at the Ho. I was having trouble packing the Kite away, initially putting this down to freezing temperatures and no feeling in my hands I happened to notice my thumb was missing. Perhaps with hindsight the three mongrel dogs circling me like wolves should have told me something was up. Due to the darkness I couldn’t see the blood but they could certainly smell it! Eventually making it back to the car, having left a trail of blood on the beach and creating a lovely camo effect on the kite I had to rip open my wetsuit to retrieve the car key. Luckily enough I found a missed call from Sly, a fellow local Kitesurfer and coastguard – which meant I only had to press one redial button. To cut a long story short the photos of my mangled thumb were on facebook before I had even reached the hospital and needless to say select members of the community were able to follow the whole saga in real time! Special thanks to Sly for taking the photos and getting me all fixed up and Sony on whose Playstation 3 I undertook arduous thumb physio for 6 weeks after. Thumb is now back on and is as good as new!

WHAT KEEPS YOU KITING- I love the sport even the days with no wind when you can find a bunch of us relentlessly searching for flying flags and rustling trees. Sometimes followed by a bout of optimism in which the Kite goes up and immediately drops out of the sky! But what keeps me going the most has to be watching young Colin at least I know I’ve got a few more years to go. Colin don’t stop I’m right behind you.

Gary is one of the true, dedicated locals at Westward Ho! He will be out in all conditions with his trusty Slingshots in hand. He is a true gentleman and a pleasure to kite with. If it is big surf you can guarantee to find him out back with a big grin on his face dropping into a true monster with only a few of us joining him. If its a more freestyle session he still wont be outdone popping some crazy airs for an old boy!!