To all past and present JNR members and friends it is with great sadness and sense of loss that I inform you of the passing of Mike Arnold.  Mike passed away last night on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.  Mike was one of the three original people who came up with the idea for the Noseriders in 1997. In the early days of the club Mike and I worked side by side for several years to help establish the club and to grow it to at one time 135 members. Mike's determination and perserverance made the club a reality and a huge success.  As in all relationships we had our ups and downs but there are a few things that I would like you all to know. One is that Mike made me a better person there were times when I felt like quitting something or other or wouldn't want to go surfing and he always pushed me to go and I was always the better for it. Mike always made me laugh and helped me feel better about myself regardless of the situation. He always doted on my kids maybe because he had no children of his own. He always asked me at the beginning of every conversation how my family was doing and at the end of every conversation made sure to tell me to say hello to the wife and kids for him.  I also know that many of the people I know today and probably a lot of the people that you know today are because of the Noseriders and directly due to Mike's ability to make everyone feel comfortable and important. Whenever Mike hosted a Noserider picnic there was always a great turnout. He wanted to make sure that everyone had a good time. Last but not least he was also a great surfer respected as such by everyone who saw him surf.

I will miss Mike a great deal there is a hole in my life tonight that was not there when I woke up this morning how big it is and how long it will last only time will tell. Please pray for Mike, his family and his friends in the coming days.  We will keep you posted on any paddle out or service.

One other thing I know about Mike is that he is in heaven right now looking after all of us sipping on a Heineken, with a smile on his face and waiting for that next set to pass so he can paddle out.

Aloha Noseriders make every day count. Bill