The story spread through buggytown how Jim and I had our car broken into an hour after arriving in Vegas and we lost all of our various camera equipment, GPSs, ipods, binoculars, a load of kites, half my buggy parts, harnesses, helmets, all my clothing and our passports. Within minutes all of the joy of being back and the high expectations were replaced with disbelief and anger. It felt like rubbing dust in the wounds as the winds were kicking in and shaping up to be some best buggy conditions, and I didn't have any gear. It would have been easier to except the theft from a kite person that would at least get some enjoyment for what they took from us. Knowing that most things will likely be sold cheap or discarded altogether brought it to a low point.

Thankfully there are a lot of heroes around - far more than the villains. Over the next few days there were so many people that came to the rescue and stepped up well beyond to turn things around. Kent from A Wind Of Change without hesitation offered the use of a monster buggy he had in the shop and with Fast Freddy's help, brought it out to to the lake for me to use. So many of the friends I've made over the years and many new friends offered the use of kites and gear. I didn't take everyone up on their offers because most of the time I had kites put in my hands but I really do appreciate every person that came over and made the gesture - you are all heroes.

I got to ride hard, ride fast, ride long hours. I rode with friends, I explored alone. I ate a lot of dust, washed it down with cold beer, was pelted by huge chunks of dirt in wild winds, ate great food in the tent. I was awed by the spectacle of swirling walls of dust surrounding the playa like the eye of a hurricane during friday dust storm. I sat at the far end of the lake and enjoyed the warmth of the setting sun as it casts that fantastic pink light across the distant hill tops. I was drawn into the drama as a handful of us were there to watch Ozzy and then Arjen take the wildest speed runs I have ever seen. Then as the crowd built we all shared the incredible experience as Arjen left that long plume of dust behind as he rocketing down the lake disappearing into the distance to set a new speed record.
I saw injuries, I saw pain, I saw smiles, I saw laughter I saw triumphs - many small and personal.

Like most of you NABX holds a special place that means much more than can be easily expressed - something that comes from sharing.
Thank you to everyone for making NABX 2009 an exceptional year to remember.
Mark Groshens

Mark,

When I first heard your story I was devastated and also angry at the low life people out there that would do such a dastardly thing. All I could think of was how rotten a greeting it was for you and your group to come down and visit for the first time.

I am so relieved that not only were the conditions completely awesome but you were also able to join in on the fun and ride with us and somewhat forget the nightmare that flooded you when you first arrived. I am very happy to have been able to help you out and was quite pleased when the buggy returned with the tires nearly showing threads because that assured me that you were able to get some good runs in and enjoy your time here with all of us.

Myself and our local group are watching out for your gear to see if it happens to show up somewhere. Craigslist and E-bay are being checked out constantly as well as all the local flying spots.

I do hope that you will be coming back again next year, it was great to be able to talk with yourself and everyone else in your group. Until then, happy winds to you and your group!

What a step up to the plate guys, this is what makes kiter's the best in the world.
All heart. Kudos's to all, sorry to hear of your troubles Mark. Least you made it, someday for me I hope.

hi Mark, can you list the brand of electronics you lost? also I know you had a few synergy,what else, there is a gps with 3 languages that covers Canada, its listed on las Vegas craigslist, let me know and Ill approach this guy with a local phone number so he is not suspicious since he knows your from Canada.

I've posted a list and description of kite gear on the power kite forum under the "lost or stolen" section.
I've been watching Craig's list and saw the GPS's - ours were both the yellow Garmin, one was an Etrex and Jim's was a newer model. We did get new GPS's down there but they might be faulty, they didn't seem to register speeds close to 70 mph :-)

I can get a list of all ipods and camera gear and send it to you personally but slim chance on finding that stuff.
Can't thank you guys enough for all the great help this year.

Brent and I have been kicking ourselves for having to miss this year, but never so much as when we read your post. That made us feel even worse for not being able to be there with you guys, to cuss, to rail, to contemplate vigilante vengeance on the whole damn godforsaken city, and then get drunker and get over it with you and Jim. Of course, we know you didn't have to go it alone, but you guys still feel like family, and we are champing at the bit to offer anything we can do for you guys. Hell, we could have brought back some of the stuff we stole (or hauled off cause we had a truck) from ya'll last year! I hope Jim didn't hurt anyone, but I am sure his remarks were the stuff of anarchist perverts verse. Suffice to say, we will see you next year, and if there is anything we can do for you guys, let us know.

Belatedly,
Dirty Buffet
Brent and Melissa Sutherland

Hey Melissa

We missed you and Brent this year. Hope yall can make it to Galveston soon.

Susan (npw goddess)

Mark, no amount of words will say what went through my head when you told me what happened, but what i took from it, was the way you handled it.

I know i would have been pretty bummed. You guys smiled, sucked it up, and went for it, and you know what, managed not only to turn it all around(mostly) but to manage to have a pretty dad gum good time too!

You are inspiration to us all! Thank you for the lesson! Wish it didn't have to come at that price though!

buggy on and aoxomoxoa!

Well put Dean!

Dirty Buffet
Brent

hey brent and melissa sorry you could'nt come but it was one wicked wind week.had my 1.7 /2meter kites out mostly,no bigger than a 4meter fixed.we really missed you .you could have top speed in the clown bike on friday which was the windyest, mike ,mark ,jim ,dave had buggy races with chairs for sails they were moving pretty good.then the dutch bunch came back to the playa and made history but it was frighting ride i was told