In Memory





Paja B: "The kite and windsurf community lost a beloved young woman last week when Melanie Houston passed away. Many of us have known Mel since she was a little girl, laughing and playing with the other kids in the wonderland of Nitinaht Lake. Mel, her father Walt, and her brother Matt were all keen sailors. Mel was kind and gentle, smart and funny, and she loved her daughter Kat and her son Hunter to the moon and back. Mel also leaves her loving mother and stepfather Trish and Philip Schatz, sister-in-law Tamara, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mel will be missed forever. There is no service at this time, but her family plans a celebration of Mel’s life, at a future time TBA, on the Island."




Sandy Beach: "This is shockingly sad news and a loss to the wind community. Many of the BWD community knew Allison from Nitinat and Baja. Her energy and enthusiasm for kiting will be missed. I will add this thread to 'in memory' section. R.I.P. Allison".

GaianCaptain: “It is indeed. I was shocked when a friend shared the news with me the other day. So many people getting cancer and dying. Break the hearts of everyone”.

thankgodiatepastafobreaky: “Yes this is very very sad. Allison was a very fun person with such a lively personality”.

Wavos Rancheros: ”Allison was a co-worker and she was an amazing standout person, strong identity, funny, smart, and savvy. Always appreciated her presence in the room. She was a force of nature”.

nanmoo: "That's incredibly sad. Her sense of humor was one of the best on the beach at Nitinat".

By Sophia van Norden

Remembering Roger Dee by mudshark:

Roger had been sick for the past few months. He was diagnosed with terminal Amyeloid Leukaemia in December and, although he fought the good fight, as we knew he would, he died from the disease on March 27th, 2023.

We all have many good memories of our time at Nitinat with Roger. He was a fixture there and many of us will have images of him riding his Roberts with the fiery nose or sitting on the beach having a beer or relaxing in front of his A-frame windsurf home having a steak and glass of wine.

He was blessed to have had his two adult aged children, Natalie and Phoenix and Sophia with him in the house for his journey, until the winds died. May he rest in peace riding the waves in the hereafter. Roger's Obituary

I leave you with a photo collection of Roger's time at Nitinat, and simply the best character shot his closest sailing friends could find of him, to share with the wind community. 






Winger: Update on Windsurfing Family: Giles Thorpe has passed away from cancer. Celebration of life is tomorrow Sunday Oct 6th at St Banabas Church 1525 Begbie St in Victoria. Really nice guy that frequented Nitnat for years windsurfing and then kite boarding.

Sandy Beach: This is so sad. Winger, thanks for the message to let us know. I remember Giles as such a friendly and welcoming person. Condolences to his family and close friends.

Bwd: That is very sad news. Thank you for letting the wind community know

Winger. Bones: thanks Dave, didn't even know he had cancer. Another one of the old guard gone. Maybe see you tomorrow

Kus: Thx Dave, it is upsetting news, I made a in memory post but couldn’t stick it within the wiki, cheers to you Giles!

Bones: anyone know what time the service is at ??

Voodmon: What time is the service? Me thinks/thought winger was senor wingate , however I digress, I actually worked on Giles house/ houses and worked on his wine room, my condolences to Winnie and the kids.

Winger: Sorry..3:30pm with reception to follow for Giles celebration of life

Gwind: Damn that’s upsetting. RIP Giles.
  1. Andrei Vozhakin
  2. Adrian Verhiel
  3. Vic Evans
  4. Graham Norris