Equipment worth around $30,000 was stolen from a kiteboarding school in West Bay some time between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
Kites, boards, harnesses and other gear were taken in the raid at Kitesurf Cayman.
Some of the stolen gear belonged to the charity, Wind4Future, which provides free kiteboarding instruction to Caymanian teens.
The business was just rebounding from the impact of COVID-19 and the closure of Cayman’s borders. Now, owner Jhon Mora faces the challenge of replacing all the equipment.
“This puts me back big time,” he said, “these are the tools we have to make a living.”
The school has a handful of additional kites, which will enable it to keep lessons going in the interim, but only on a limited basis. He fears he will have to go into debt to replace the stolen equipment.
Mora urged everyone in the small kitesurf community in Cayman to look out for any of the equipment being sold on the island. He also asks people to reach out to friends on neighbouring islands amid fears the boards and kites may be transported overseas.
“If anyone sees or hears of anyone selling equipment like this, please let us know,” he added.
Thieves broke the padlock on the equipment trailer at the site in a secluded spot in Barkers. In all, 20 kites, 10 boards, 20 harnesses and at least eight helmets were taken.
Instructor Pedro Combothanassis said lessons would continue for now with spare equipment.
Anyone who sees the gear for sale or has any information can call Kitesurf Cayman on 916-5483 or call Combothanassis on 929-4438.
A report was made to police and an investigation is under way.
More to follow.
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