I don't have the words to begin that describe the feeling of loss.
I'll be thinking of AJ for along time to come
Peace my friend
(PS-love that photo of AJ you posted below lad - arms open, smiling, flying on the buggy, it says so much)

We will not forget you, buddy!

My thoughts and prayers go to his friends and family today. He's up above catching big Air now!!

May all your days be filled with smooth steady winds dude! Send some wind our way when you can!

RIP AJ!

This pic was from SBBB 2003 at Ivanpah Dry Lake. AJ, myself, David Stanek, John Romanek & Rick McGaffey raced in the 50 mile team enduro race and placed 3rd, as "Team Death Valley Rollers".

AJ had no fear, and buggied and boarded to the extreme! You will be missed my friend!

This has been a very sad week indeed. Rest in peace AJ.

We will miss you buddy. Thanks for all your selflessness and help over the years. Thanks for being a friend.

thanks for asking Angus & Paul-John Harris from Kitty Hawk Kites called me Monday afternoon to tell me the news. i've been trying to westle with the realities of it since. i keep telling myself he was doing what he loved, in a place he loved. it was impressive how dedicated he was to living life on his own terms. i loved him and accepted him as he was and we had several great years together. it was not a traditional relationship, but there was nothing traditional about our AJ. He loved to travel and go on road trips almost as much as he loved kite surfing. We traveled from New Zealand to Italy and Quebec to Mexico, with many places in between. Now it's time for him to go back to having Caddo as his co-pilot. i will miss him terribly.

descanse en paz mi amigo..............................

Quote:

Originally posted by Chad http://www.facebook.com/HIRS35 Sad very sad

At least his body can now be laid to rest by those who loved him most in the manner he deserves.

Rest in eternal peace.

So long, AJ ... I never got to meet you in person which is a shame, but I feel I knew you from the mockings you gave me on FB - "Been out again today - 20th day in a row ... how about you, Kevin?"

Rest in peace AJ, you will be missed

...speechless...

im so sorry for everyones loss, im glad he was found.... just horribly saddened by this whole thing...

man, it just sucks... rest well AJ

Not the news I was hoping for when I came home from work. May the wind always be with you brother, and your memory carry on. R.I.P.


Does any one have any information that one could use to send out condolences to his family???? I wonder if there could be a donation set up so all of us who wanted to could send something as a group????

What a fitting tribute. Thank you Treblehook

Thankful for the closure to somewhat soften the loss...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIy_Mg99F5E

Quote:

Originally posted by meg thanks for asking Angus & Paul-John Harris from Kitty Hawk Kites called me Monday afternoon to tell me the news. i've been trying to westle with the realities of it since. i keep telling myself he was doing what he loved, in a place he loved. it was impressive how dedicated he was to living life on his own terms. i loved him and accepted him as he was and we had several great years together. it was not a traditional relationship, but there was nothing traditional about our AJ. He loved to travel and go on road trips almost as much as he loved kite surfing. We traveled from New Zealand to Italy and Quebec to Mexico, with many places in between. Now it's time for him to go back to having Caddo as his co-pilot. i will miss him terribly.

It's a very difficult time Meg and I know that for you it's an extra hard week, sorry to hear of your fathers passing this week as well.
Love to you,
Mark

I have a special dog collar that will be buried in the sand at SLP within the next day or two.

Anyone riding your buggy\kiteboard between the SLP entrance and the wooden posts marking the pedestrian beach.... dip your kite low halfway as a salute/sign of respect.


Caddo and AJ will fill your sail in return.

I did not know the man, but judging from the outpouring of response on this thread, he was something special. My condolences to his family, friends and PKF amigos

This is so sad. I never met AJ but he was always so positive. His stories were inspiring.

We have lost one of the great ones.

I saw the post on facebook via beamerbob... I never got to meet AJ but we chatted a good amount on PKF. I'm glad he was doing what he loved. This really touched me deep, so sorry for the loss.

Wow. Horribly sad. This and all the recent PKF talk about "family".....boy oh boy.

Kinda lost for words but definitely full of prayers for his family and loved ones. Earlier today I couldn't help thinking about this and a favourite movie of mine came to mind. It was the end scene from Big Fish (sorry if I spoil it for those that haven't bit will see it). Guy's dad lived a fearless life because he insisted he had seen a premonition of his death and so knew how he was gonna go. Disease took him and as he was dying he told his son "This isn't how I go" and his son took him to the water and set him free as a big fish. Couldn't help thinking that AJ went how AJ was meant to go. I pray he didn't suffer or struggle and is safe upstairs now....or with the other kiters doing some time in purgatory.

RIP brother. Spot my landings for me?

Better to go out doing what you love than doing what you don't.

I never met AJ in person, my only interactions with him were through PKF and FB. But in those interactions it was very clear to me that he was a dedicated, knowledgable rider that was as passionate about kiting as anyone I'll ever meet. I would be jealous of his Facebook posts when they would pop up about yet another epic session. He's obviously going to be missed by many. His loss put's a lot in perspective.

My deepest sympathy to his family.

Good bye Charles.

http://www.carteretnewstimes.com/articles/2011/09/22/news-ti...

http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Officials_Search_For_Miss...

I wonder have they let any one inspect the kite to see if their was a failure

Sad news indeed. Best wishes to his family.

this comes as shock to me that hes gone. life is very special to me.
i will miss him alot. i know hes in a better place.
i looking forward to be with him at nabx next year.
RIP my friend. you will be missed around here.

Meg nailed it. AJ lived life on his own terms and was living out his dream here on the Outer Banks. It is a huge loss for the kite community. AJ was a great embassador for the sport.

My only solace is that he went out doing what he loved...

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2055767189486.21015...

I think AJ was the first to show me autozenith of an ARC. It was at the Treasure Island Festival in Clearwater. He would tie off the Phantom 18 and leave if flying like an SLK while we had lunch. He would joke about putting it up in the morning and taking it down at night. funny part was he was serious.

Last saw him over lunch; he was passing through GA on the way to his new gig at Kitty Hawk, with the Kite Cat on top of the car.
We'll all miss you AJ

AJ was needed somewhere else and is helping others right now just like he did while we had him here. you will be missed and remembered my brother.

Just want to say how sad to hear another kiter has pass away.
To his family & friends hope your sadness pass soon, think back on all the great time you've had with him!

thinking about you AJ, although we never met in person, you will never be forgotten.

godbless
Kenny