THE story of a 14-year-old from South Australia who lost his surfboard on Brown Mountain has a happy ending, with help from BDN readers.
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The board was found by Alan Walker of Bemboka, who was telling his daughter Ally about it when she said she had seen the story of the missing board on the BDN’s Facebook page.
Sam Kempster, from Kangroo Island, had shaped the board with his father so it had great sentimental value to him.
He was on holiday with his family when the surfboard came off his car’s roof somewhere between Bega and Cooma on July 15.
A call was put out to the community, with Sam’s family contacting the local newspapers to see if anyone knew where the board was.
“I’m hoping someone might have found it or know where it might be,” Sam said in the story.
“Dad and I are both really upset as it was something really special we did together.”
The story went online at 6pm Sunday and reached a massive audience, with a related post on the BDN Facebook page being shared 88 times and seen by almost 6500 people.
Due to the support of the BDN’s Facebook followers, the board was reported safe and sound by Mr Walker by 7.30pm.
Sam’s mother, Toni Kempster, was extremely grateful of the contributions made for the search by the local community.
“He came out of the shower when we told him the news, and just did this enormous happy dance,” Ms Kempster said.
“We were clutching at straws – I just can’t believe it.”
Mr Walker was driving back from his farm when he saw the board, and Ms Kempster said he apparently often collects items which have been blown off vehicles from the side of the road along Brown Mountain in case their owners come looking for them.
She said Sam is looking forward to getting the board back so he can ride it again.
A friend in Canberra who has dealings in South Australia may be able to transport the board home, and Ms Kempster said if they need they will travel back to Bemboka to pick it up.
“We’ll get it back!” she said.