Kitepower Sydney

The kiting world was shocked last week to hear of the death of one of its favourite members, Bob Dawson. Bob passed away at midday on August 12 after a workplace accident. Kitepower founder Steve MacCormack reflects on Bob Dawson the man, without whom Kitepower Australia would not be.

Not long after I bought my first sport kite at a Sunday market in Geelong, I met Bob briefly at the market where he was helping another guy sell his Leading Edge kites. The next day Bob walked into the first, tiny Kitepower shop on Latrobe Terrace, Geelong. I was going though some tough personal issues at the time and desperately needed a mate to talk to. I didn’t know it then, but he had just walked into my life. We somehow just clicked and after a long chat and imparting some sage advice, Bob left. I remember feeling so relieved and quite stunned, and ran out to try to say thanks, but he was nowhere to be seen. Bob was like that: finish one thing, onto the next. He did not walk slowly or without purpose.

I continued to sell Bob’s sport kites and deal with my personal issues, however they had a heavy toll on my relationship with my best mate and wife. We had an enormous row one night and decided to split up. I went to work the next morning to find a fax from Bob Dawson asking if anyone wanted to buy this kite shop he had in Queensland. The fax looked like it had been sent to all the main kite shops in Australia, and I presumed that to be the case for well over 10 years. Bob only told me a few years ago that he only sent the fax to Kitepower Geelong! My wife had confided in him and he knew I need a shoulder to lean on. I called him that morning and he assured me everything would be ok and that maybe I should just go to Queensland with my half of my life (literally my share of the kite-shop stock, my clothes and my son Peace).

Once we arrived, Bob let us stay with him in a unit he was renting. The shop was located at the wharf in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. I worked with Bob over the next five days and we discussed my buying it. I had no money, just a few hundred dollars and some kites, but Bob convinced his partner Chris Robson to work out a price I could afford and they offered me a deal that would allow me to repay them over time. This all happened on days four and five, and we began a stocktake of the business on day six. Bob then paid the rent on the unit we were sharing for another two weeks and we went to work to finish the stocktake and finalise the sale of the business. I assumed that he would get a solicitor and the formal part of the sale would drag on. But after we had lunch, Bob said, “That’s it, Steve, I’m going home. Shelley’s missing me, repairs and orders for kites are piling up, I’ve gotta go.”

I protested that we had not finished the deal – I was imagining all sorts of complicated scenarios (or that I would miss out on the shop all together), but Bob just looked at me and said, “No mate, it’s yours. We’ll work out the rest by phone.” I said, “But, but, but… What about the day’s takings and, and, and…” Bob just said, “It’s yours now, you can have that too,” and walked out with the unfinished stock sheets, and drove back to Coffs Harbour.

I called that shop Kite Legends, because Bob Dawson is a Kite Legend.

Peace and I worked hard, had heaps of fun and paid Bob and Chris back well before the agreed time. They had given me a really good price on the shop, but it was still money that I didn’t have. In addition to this, Peace broke his arm twice while working at the shop so I decided to take on a partner. At this stage, the shop was booming and Juls and I were drawn back together by our love for each other – and our son’s broken bones and my apparently irresponsible parenting! Juls moved up to Queensland and we were a family again.

After a while, my partner and I began to have some different opinions on how to run the business and we decided to split. Literally straight after we shook hands Mike Richards from Kite Magic, who owned the KiteSite shop in Coogee called on my mobile to ask me if I knew anyone who would be interested in buying his shop in Coogee. I was hearing the “Twilight Zone” music! It turned out Bob Dawson had suggested to Mike that he call me, although I didn’t know that at the time either. Needless to say, we purchased that shop, which became the second Kitepower, and due to Bob’s advice to Mike and Rosie we were given vendor terms again. The rest is history. Kitepower Australia simply would not be without the help and friendship of Bob Dawson.

Bob Dawson – mate, I’m going to miss you and when I feel the wind, I will remember you.

Words from some of Bob’s nearest and dearest kite friends:

Oh no, oh no, wow that’s going to leave a big hole in the sky. – Phil McConachie

I always called Bob “Dad” at kite festivals when I saw him because he was just like a dad, he will be missed. – Alison Neville

The news of Bob’s death really breaks my heart, I loved that guy. We shared so many happy times together in the kiting world, especially the great times we had together at the World Cup in Long Beach, USA, also many times in Oz. He was an outstanding person in every way, he was always there for me. Life is just a storage of memories good and bad, my memories of Bob will always be kept alive. Bob had that wonderful grin and his whole face would light up. – Ray Bethel

I always imagined and thought we would just get old and go crazy together. – Warren Macintosh

I can’t think of a better tribute to Bob than taking someone’s eye out with a pointy kite. – Fiona Grubb on hearing that Steve would be flying his D-wing at Cronulla and hoped he wouldn’t kill anyone because he was crying.

Bob was incredibly astute and so caring about other people. He was one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever known, and I can’t really explain why other than to say that he really had his s*** together – in every sense. He had this incredible way of living life that was just so clear when you spent any time with him. I drove up to the Wave Nats with him a few years ago and we all spent the week laughing at one another, he was just so bloody funny. – Fiona Grubb

In coming to terms with our crazy lives and inevitable deaths, Bob and I shared the treasure of finding our spiritual teachers who, even after their own recent and sudden respective passings, gave us everything we need to move on, in and beyond this wonder of life.
I love you Bob. – Julie Nagorcka

This is the first time such news has hit me with a feeling of “that can’t be possible”. I don’t need to tell you how well liked Bob was by everyone he treated as a friend. Bondi, Semaphore, Coolum and so many other places will never be the same again. – Kevin and Linda Sanders

RIP Bob, we will all miss you and remember you always. Your kites will brighten the sky forever and remind us of the Australian Kite Legend you are. CYA mate. – Jon Ashmore

Devastating news. Myself, and many others will miss Bob terribly. He touched everyone’s lives with his special brand of humanity. He was inspirational to me and many others I am sure. I will miss our chats and good times together. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. – Lachlan Beed

What a legend he was. Bob was an inspiration to me also. Early on in my kiting he was there and helped me into the sport with passion and enthusiasm that infected me heavily. The following years he was always happy to see me and encourage me on my adventures through life and kiting. He always had a bed if needed when I was travelling the coast and always wanted to help where he could. He exemplified and clarified for me many of the ways I want to live my life. Bob lived life to the full with a smile always. – Mike Walker

What a champion Bob was, we should live like him: every day to the fullest and with positivity and respect. You don’t know when your time is up so make the most of it. – Dave Chaplin

I pretty much spent the first year of my kiting life riding with Bob every day, so that holds a special place in my heart. He is one of the nicest guys I have ever met. – Ben Wilson

My thoughts are with you and your family on hearing the sad news about Bob. I had only met him a couple of times in my kiting life. Bob is the sort of person that impacts you in many ways. His passion for life was communicable and he was everything that I love about kiting! – Chris Wardell