:o

I am in shock. Shaking .

Posted about an hour ago:

Hatteras Island Rescue Squad
USCG suspended the search last night (Monday)around 8:30. The search lasted 21hrs. Most of that time there was a Coast Guard aircraft on scene. The CG totaled 14 sorties using H-60 helos, C-130 fixed-wing, 87ft patrol boat USCGC Cochito homeport Hampton Roads, VA, 47ft motorlifeboat from station Hatteras Inlet. USNPS Rangers and Hatteras Island Rescue conducted vehicle based shoreline searches all night Sunday thru noon Monday. In the initial effort Sunday, Hatteras Island Rescue launched 2 jetskis that searched the area just south of Cape Pt in seas running 6-8ft with occasional 10ft.

The case is not closed. USNPS and Hatteras Island Rescue will continue shoreline checks.

:sniff:

ATB,
Sam

Speechless! Stillhoping for a miracle.

I met AJ on the beach at the Treasure Island Kite Fest '10. I brought my gear this time as was glad to see a fellow buggy guy on the beach that day. When he identified himself as "Action Jackson" here on PKF, I knew immediately who he was. I told him I thought he lived in TX and he replied that he just moved here and worked as a cook someplace. I imagined he was a Free Spirit - free to literally follow wherever the wind took him.

He told me this was one of the only times all year that the wind was perfect along the TI shore. He mentioned being in NZ and showed me some of his prototypes he had that Peter gave him. They included a NASAwing Peter was experimenting with and a plain, orange 15m Venom proto that he took off with. I followed him with my 12m Phantom and I had the most epic day ever. He said he was going kite surfing at another beach the next day and I only U2U'd him a few times since on here.

So the memories of my best session ever will forever be tied with AJ and I will always think of him now whenever I will loft one over the sand or water.

It is Cape Point the same as Cape Hatteras point?

I had it in my head that Cape Point was at Cape Lookout but indeed it is the point at Hatteras.

If you look at the point below Buxton that is the point where I understand AJ went missing - on the ocean side north of the point but it was a NE wind and last seen off the shoals at this point. But this is all passed along through friends who AJ kited with that day.

Anyone know what condition the kite was found in? Were the lines and bar on it w/ the safety popped? were the lines cut? I'm pretty sure he knew how to get out of a "riptide",so I doubt that was it. There is the awful possibility that he crashed and was sorting out his lines or whatever.And was attacked by a one of the MANY sharks just off the beach this time of year. The water is warm and they are hungry. Some are big Bull sharks,some are sandbar sharks. Been tigers and hammerheads seen there as well. 30 yds off the beach is PRIME hunting grounds for them. Just trying to figure what could have gone so wrong that he was unable to get back to shore.........

Man I just read through this thread and I'm just sick to my stomach. I sold AJ one of my Phantoms years ago and we promised to have a beer together at NABX after but that event never came for us. I hope and pray this all turns out well. AJ, I still want that beer!

Quote:

Originally posted by WELDNGOD Anyone know what condition the kite was found in? Were the lines and bar on it w/ the safety popped? were the lines cut? I'm pretty sure he knew how to get out of a "riptide",so I doubt that was it. There is the awful possibility that he crashed and was sorting out his lines or whatever.And was attacked by a one of the MANY sharks just off the beach this time of year. The water is warm and they are hungry. Some are big Bull sharks,some are sandbar sharks. Been tigers and hammerheads seen there as well. 30 yds off the beach is PRIME hunting grounds for them. Just trying to figure what could have gone so wrong that he was unable to get back to shore.........

Goes with my theory that he could handle a couple of disasters at once. Maybe a third would be required to keep him from getting to shore.

I hope we can get some kind of info about the gear they found. It could help figure out what happened. It seems the local news is makin out like he should not have been out there . Some guy drowned at the beach today so they are all up in arms about "water safety". But we know AJ, and he was in his element. I find it hard to believe that he was just swept out to sea.... And WE need to learn from this...... AJ has one more thing to teach us,we just gotta figure it out. I know nobody wants to be the first to say" I think he's gone" ..............



All I know is without a wetsuit. You cannot stay in 80 degree water for 2 days. It'll suck your body heat out until your body can't generate heat fast enough,long enough..... My heart goes out to his family,and I hope they can at least recover him, for the family to have a proper burial.

I can actually say that I lost a bit of sleep thinking of this last night. Its hard to think of them actually just giving up on a guy. But its true that we all know that they can only commit so many resources. If he doesn't turn up alive, I sincerely hope that his body is recovered so that his family can have some bit of closure. Having a wife and kids, incidents like this weigh heavy on my mind every time I head out to kite. I don't think that people can criticize his decision to kite that spot in the conditions. He's known to for his skills and judgement, from everything I've read Action Jackson is not your everyday kiteboarder. If he is gone, it can be admirably stated that he went out doing what he lived and loved. I will still hold hope that he is found alive, until reports tell me otherwise. I never once thought that I'd ever be impacted like this, even though I've probably only exchange words with him once or twice through this forum. This truly is a family.

Family it is! I also lost sleep last night! Can't get my mind of it! Really keeping the hope alive!

Im still hoping and praying for the best. I really need to take a break from this thread, can't seem to focus on anything else today. Still hoping this is a terrible dream and I'll wake up. My heart goes out to everyone close to AJ. Feeling sick sucks.

Prayers to AJ and his family

i feel so sad ,i first met AJ at what is called now deadbird buggy blast in 99 at galveston texas.i knew charles, hung out with him at the bar at the galvez and at the hanging tree[sbbb-nabx] wicked cool guy .hopes and prayers go out to him and family, my heart also goes out to meg who was real close to him.love him with those nasa wings when he just wanted to cruise at nabx and fly something different miss you friend. RIDE ON AND ON .PAUL

I just heard the news. My thoughts and prayers go out to he and his family. I'm hoping to see him post on the forum again very soon.

AJ rest in peace. You will be missed.

With the lack of any news I have accepted that he is not going to appear on the beach. I can only assume that what ever happened, it was unavoidable because if anybody could make it out he could.

I'm sorry brother.

What a tragedy… He is such a nice guy. I know he used to come and ride in my area all the time. I am so terribly sorry…

last night i went thur my past buggy pictures looking for him.
i found many. i broke down crying and had to stop looking.
his life was cut down way to short
RIP my friend
before i know it. i`ll be joining you.
you will forever be in my heart and i think of you with warm thoughts and fond memories.

here is his last post......... "I am still here! Just rode the past 25 out of 30 days!...aj ".....................

Someone commented that while his life was cut short, he lived more in his 44 years than most do in a long full life. He got to passionately do what he loved daily, lived where he wanted, and apparently died while doing it. While we will lament losing him as a friend, this is something we can hold on to.

Well said Bob!

first, my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family......i personally never met AJ, but from reading his posts, i always could sense his wild enthusiasm for kiting,i think he would have wanted us to go out kiting and to have fun while were doing it---so i flew my beamer today in his honor, just reflecting, and it WAS fun.......

Guys.....They just announced that they located a body matching AJ's description.....with a kite harness.

This breaks my heart...but I guess deep down....I knew

May the winds always blow in heaven for you AJ.........

http://www.facebook.com/HIRS35

Sad very sad

Rest in Peace A.J.! I am saddened by this news!

Ride on!

My deepest condolences to his family! May they now find closure!

As a community, we will miss you!

I was kinda hopeful that we would here that he was picked up by a Norwegian freighter,with AJ telling them stories until they belly laughed and drinking their Vodka..Aj was my first contact to the SE Texas coast kite buggy- ing thing...one of my many teachers along the way to my most favorite hobby...and I just found out threw his facebook page that we both attended R.E. LEE High school in Houston..10 years apart...he will be missed..
RIP
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/gallery_image.php?action=view&...
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/gallery_image.php?action=view&...
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/gallery_image.php?action=view&...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIy_Mg99F5E

Fly on Brother,Fly on...... :saint: You helped many along the way,you will be missed.