Board + Rig Stolen 8/22 - Huntington Beach

coolmtnbiker048 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California

My board and rig (derigged) was stolen on the corner of PCH and Seapoint Avenue in Huntington Beach as I went to wash off in the water for 5 minutes.

Here is a list of the gear that was stolen:

1. Tabou 3S 97 Liter - Bright blue and white, mermaid graphic on top. Perfect condition except for a few scratches. With a beat up Crazy Fly wave fin.

2. KA Kult 5.8 Sail - Orange/Metallic Silver. Good condition.

3. KA 100% Carbon Skinny 430 Mast

4. HPL Aluminum Boom - Freeride length with 28" blue Dakine mono lines

5. Chinook Mast Extension - Blue, Aluminum, Euro Pin

6. Generic Mast Base - Euro Pin

Please keep an eye out for suspicious craigslist ads, etc! Please call me (Alex) at (714) 519-1027 or akoutzoukis@gmail.com if you hear of anything. (A police report has been filed).

In the meantime, I guess I'll be windsurfing <5.0, or kiting Sad

cbknap · Joined: 03 Jun 1997 Posts: 373

What a bummer, Alex. How did this happen? Was it sitting on the beach? Up on the bluff?

coolmtnbiker048 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California

I was doing a downwinder to HB pier from Surfside with my kiter buddy but the wind died so I landed at Seapoint, derigged my gear, and set it on some groundcover across the street from the beach (big mistake). Then I went to wash off for about 5 minutes, and when I came back a guy said that my "friends" had walked off with my gear. We ran around for 15 minutes looking for them but they were gone.

I was pretty shocked because I do DWers to the pier all the time and leave my gear and take the bus back. But I always leave it rigged (pretty impossible for a non-windsurfer to take apart and steal).

Man, it was a fun day too, 6-7 ft. waves and powered up at Sunset! Great jumping.

capetonian · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Florida

Sorry to hear. Since windsurfing is such a niche sport and the local windsurfing community so small that gear will be really hard to sell without a good chance someone who reads this will see it.

Let the 3 local shops know so if somebody asks the value of equipment they get his details.

Keep an eye on craigslist and ebay too.

coolmtnbiker048 · Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 372 Location: California

All gear was just recovered thanks to a little sting operation with undercover LB police. All in same condition.

Thanks David for the heads up on the craigslist ad, I owe you big time.

Lesson learned:
-Don't leave gear derigged near PCH
-Search "All of Craigslist" every day for the next month+ and hope it comes up

kevinkan · Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco

Nice! Glad you guys caught the mofo and you got your stuff back.

We had similar outcomes several times in Berkeley. One time a guy showed up to our windsurfing club and tried to sell stolen gear to the owner... that was hilarious.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

Because of what I've heard at length, I go on alert when the Jamboree Rally motor home with about 12 boards stacked up both sides of the trailer in tow is around. It's at every Hood River swap meet and makes it to many other swaps and sailing events around the country.

loopless · Joined: 30 Jun 1997 Posts: 426

loopless · Joined: 30 Jun 1997 Posts: 426

cbknap · Joined: 03 Jun 1997 Posts: 373

Alex--I'd also like to hear what happened here: Did the guy admit taking your stuff? Cops charge him with a crime? They let you have your gear instead of holding it as evidence? Enquiring minds want to know.

Also I'd like to see a picture of this thieving jerk.

Note to all: When questionable characters at the beach ask how much your kit is worth, tell them it's not at all expensive. I always wave my hand vaguely and say, "You can buy all this stuff for a few hundred dollars, maybe even less." Then I refer them to the nearest windsurf shop for more information and lessons.