The kite community has lost one of its brightest lights. Graham was more than a rider; he was a force of nature whose energy, laughter, and fearless spirit brought people together from every corner of the world. His legacy runs deep through Dirty Habits, the crew he built, and the countless lives he inspired. Here, we share a few words from those who knew and loved him, remembering the man who made every session, every party, and every moment unforgettable.

There are some people whose energy fills every room, every lineup, and every memory. Graham Howes was one of them. Larger than life, fearless on the water, and endlessly generous off it, he built a community that stretched far beyond Cape Town. Through Dirty Habits, he turned a lifestyle into a movement that captured the fun, chaos, and heart of kiteboarding.

Graham’s passing has left a massive hole in our sport and in so many lives. No trip to Blouberg ever felt complete without seeing him smiling, sending it, or throwing one of his legendary parties. His spirit was contagious, and his impact will never fade.

In this tribute, we have gathered a handful of voices from the hundreds of beautiful messages shared around the world. Friends, riders, and fans are remembering Graham and the mark he left on us all.

Oswald Smith

I’m at a complete loss for words, but I want to try because G-man, you deserve that and so much more. 

I’d known Graham since I was a teenager, and together we went on some unforgettable adventures. From full-on festive times in Zanzibar, surf strike missions up the West Coast, to hiding from the blazing sun in Angola. We’d done it all. And what special times they were.

This photo takes me back to a road trip up the coast, chasing an untouched (andvery secret) wave. I remember how scared we both were that day. It was a powerful, intimidating beast of a wave, but we braved it together. I used to joke with myself that if one of us ever needed rescuing, it would be Graham and somehow that always made me feel a bit better. Luckily, this time we both came out unscathed. We cracked a beer, went diving for crayfish, and ended the day lying under the stars, reciting ridiculous poems, howling at the moon and filling every in-between moment with laughter.

It’s days like this and memories like these that I’ll always hold closest to my heart. Graham had a presence larger than life itself — always the light in the group, always the one lifting us higher. He lived harder than most, and in doing so showed us all how to be more alive. He had this rare gift of making people feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger. Whether through a joke, a deep conversation, or simply the energy he brought into a room, Graham touched more lives than he could ever have imagined. I’m proud of the man he became and even prouder of the legacy he’s left within all of us.

It breaks me to know I’ll never share another wave, another road trip, another session side by side with you. But your spirit will carry on in every single one of us who were lucky enough to know you.

So here’s to you, G-man — the adventurer, the A-grade human, starchild, the soul who lived more in his years than most do in a lifetime. Forever missed. Forever celebrated.

Forever G-man.

Jett Bradshaw

My brother, my mentor! Two square pegs in a round hole, Graham saw something in me I wouldn’t have even gambled on. He picked me up from nowhere, backed me when no one else would, and put me on the map. My G, you’ve left an unreal void in my life, so many unanswered questions… the biggest one — why did you never give up on me, through thick and thin, you were there? Later my G

Ryan Peacock

Graham was a true mentor to me, somebody I could completely relate to. An unbelievably driven individual looking to make a difference in our industry, which has the odds stacked against us. Together, we fumbled our way through interviews with some of the world’s top athletes to create a documentary aimed at raising awareness of mental health in action sports. Graham gave me a sense of purpose during a dark time in my life, and I will forever be proud of what we created and the message we shared.

Rest easy, Graham ❤️

Kyle Cabano

What a special human Graham was, and how blessed we all were to have such a legendary leader of our water sports community. 

I had the privilege of sharing many of my life’s greatest adventures with Graham, on photoshoots with North, Mystic & Dirty Habits. Graham inspired me to follow my passion; he has that effect on people. The single most impactful thing he said to me on a drive up to Namibia in search of the unknown…. ‘the dream is free, the hustle is sold separately’ and that will live rent-free in my mind.

His untimely departure has left a hole in the hearts of so many of us, but his memories will go on within each of us. Rest easy G.

Graham in Patagonia — A Trip Like No Other - By Alex Vliege

I’ve shared many trips, shoots, and late nights with Graham over the years. I’ve known him for about 18 years, the number of years they say it takes to become “grown up”… something Graham would never be.

There are countless stories that come to mind, some of which definitely couldn’t be printed in a magazine. But when I thought about what really showed who he was, one adventure stood out: Patagonia. Graham always wanted to do things differently and go the extra mile, and this trip perfectly showed what he was made of.

Almost two years ago, I was asked to organise a trip for the North team to Patagonia. The plan was simple: bring the crew, have no script, and make the most out of each day while documenting it.

It was just before the 2023/24 Cape Town season, and I honestly didn’t think Graham would say yes, he’s always flat out at that time of year. But when I called him, he said, “This might be my only chance to go to Patagonia. Hell yes, I’m coming.” And thank God he did.

We had a wild stopover in Buenos Aires for a few days, ending with a proper all-nighter, before landing in Bariloche. We’d been told it was the start of summer and to bring 3/2 wetsuits and maybe a jacket for the evenings. Instead, we arrived to freezing winds, glacial meltwater and snow. The first day was bitterly cold, gusty and rainy, and everyone was exhausted. As team manager, it wasn’t exactly the easiest day to keep spirits high.

And then there was Graham. It was his first time ever kiting in booties (which we’d quickly bought from a local shop), but he didn’t hesitate for a second. While the rest of the crew were recovering, he was already out on the water, making the absolute most of it. He was climbing over cars with his kite, doing stupid funny stuff to get everyone laughing, and pushing to get the shots even in junk conditions. He had this way of pulling the whole team along with his energy.

This was also the first time we combined three kiters with three foilers on one trip. That could easily have created two separate groups, but Graham was one of the key people who made sure everyone felt included. He had a natural way of bringing people together — he was the glue that held the crew together.

A few days later, the owner of one of the main ski resorts heard that big names like Graham and Nick Jacobsen were in Patagonia. He arranged to open the entire ski station just for us. They gave us snow scooters, took us up into the mountains, and told us we could ride wherever we wanted. The sun came out, the sky was blue, they organised a braai on top of the mountain for us, and Graham turned to me and said, “Pinch me, bru, this is a dream.”

He’d hardly snowboarded before, but within minutes, he was carving down the slopes with that effortless style he had on the water. We built a little kicker, rode first tracks in untouched snow, and made jokes about “Africans in the snow” as Graham, Jet, and Kyle found their feet. It was surreal. It felt like towing in on a wave, but on a mountain.

On the last night of the trip, we gathered around a campfire to celebrate what had turned into an unforgettable adventure. Everyone was stoked, proud, and exhausted in the best way. Then Graham did something I’d never seen from him before. He picked up a stick and declared it the “talking stick,” leading a small ceremony in which everyone took turns saying words of appreciation about each other and the trip. It was a beautiful moment of connection, the perfect ending to a wild journey.

This trip was nothing like what we’d expected — full-on winter instead of summer vibes — but in the end, it became one of the best adventures of our lives. The edit Kyle Cabano made, Going Nowhere, went on to become one of the most-watched clips on North’s YouTube channel. No script. No plan. Just pure energy, curiosity, and the magic that happens when you put Graham in the mix.

Max Blom

Graham was always entrepreneurial and endlessly creative. He had that rare mix of vision and drive, paired with a humility that made him both approachable and inspiring. Yet, beneath his confident exterior, Graham sometimes wrestled with self-doubt. It was this balance, ambition tempered by vulnerability, that made him so deeply human.

I still remember our conversations about Dirty Habits and Mystic, how the two brands could come together. It was such a natural partnership. Our ideas and visions aligned effortlessly, mainly because of who Graham was. He was always willing to adapt, always looking to connect people and communities. Above all, he simply wanted to create cool things —projects that meant something, brought people together, and made life a little more exciting.

In meetings, Graham never focused on the obstacles; he saw only opportunities. His optimism was infectious. He had a way of turning challenges into sparks of creativity, and that energy lifted everyone around him.

One of the greatest lessons I learned from Graham was the importance of celebrating, not just big wins, but every meaningful moment along the way. It’s something I’ve carried into my own work: giving people the recognition they deserve, honoring their craft, and, in true Dirty Habits spirit, throwing a good party. Because that’s what Graham believed in, that life is short and worth celebrating every step of the way.

“Chase your vision, chase the world, time is ticking,” he used to say.

Sadly, Graham’s life ended far too soon. But he lived with a passion and authenticity that most can only dream of. His spirit — fearless, creative — will always be remembered. It lives on in our hearts, in our work, and in every community he helped build.

Graham didn’t just create brands. He created moments, memories, and movements that continue to inspire us all.

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