On September 7, 2025, the world of kitesurfing lost one of its pillars. Graham Howes, an emblematic figure of the South African scene and founder of the Dirty Habits collective, tragically died off the coast of Cape Town. According to the official conclusions, he was hit in the middle of a session by a whale. An extremely rare, brutal and impossible to predict accident.

But Graham was not only an extraordinary athlete. He was also a man who dared to speak. In 2019, he publicly revealed his battle with depression. A powerful speech in an environment where emotions are often silenced. He wrote it himself:

“Depression took away from me what I loved most: the ocean, my place of refuge.”

At Jaxsun Sports, we pay tribute to his memory, his freedom, his courage. His message is more relevant than ever: mental health deserves as much space as performance. Silence kills, speech liberates.

Today, we still have his energy, his legacy, and the desire to continue to live this sport with authenticity.

Ride in peace, Graham.

Sources: North Kiteboarding Site