Anyone lucky enough to interact with Kelly McGarry was instantly struck by his good-natured personality and ability to make you feel like an old friend within minutes of meeting him. We at ODI were fortunate to have been able to work with Kelly over the past few years and were ecstatic when Kelly approached us about doing an edit with his beloved dog Tui. Just hours before the planned release of this edit we received the devastating news of Kelly’s passing and made the decision that it would be better to hold off on its release until those closest to him were in a position to want to share it with the rest of the world. We are honored to be able to release this now with the blessing of Kelly’s friends and family both as a fitting tribute to a great person and as a reminder to enjoy the ride of life.
For anyone who has inspired by Kelly and who would like to help continue to support his passion for mountain biking, we would encourage you to visit and contribute to one of the following Trusts that were set-up in Kelly’s honor.
Funds collected will be used to fulfill his passion by “advocating for and building mountain bike trails in New Zealand and supporting emerging/promising/rising New Zealander mountain bikers in pursuit of achieving their goals domestically and abroad.”
"While we were lucky enough to have worked with Kelly, we were not as close to him as those who lived and worked with him on a daily basis. As such we felt it was appropriate to allow those closest to him to memorialize Kelly along with this video. Paul Rayner, Kelly’s friend and videographer, provided the following words about Kelly. We encourage all those who were impacted by his life to contribute to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments as well. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those who knew Kelly. He will certainly be missed. RIP McGazza." - Colby and everyone at ODI
"When I first got to Queenstown good fortune just seemed to spill out into my life without much prompting. Due to bad fortune, I arrived without a camera, but within 3 days a local GC, who I had never even met before, offered to lend me his camera to shoot some photos. Through a stroke of fortuitous happenstance, within a couple of weeks, I was shooting with the world famous Kelly McGarry! Now I'd not had much personal interaction with pro mountain bikers before then and like many normal people, a lot of pros are elevated to hero-like status in our eyes through magazines and films - not many of us common folk expect to ever mingle with our heroes.
He insisted on a high five over the formal handshake. I was taken aback by his open friendliness and casual demeanour, which made you feel more like an old friend rather than a new acquaintance. As we set off to hitch a ride to the top of the trail we were shooting, to retrieve his van, I told him how much I loved the last jump on the trail. Kelly suggested that I session it whilst he fetched the van. When he turned up to collect me, he shouted up: "Hey choppa, do you want me to get a photo of you on that jump?". Kelly freakin' McGarry wants to take a photo of me on a jump!? What the hell is going on? Is this real life? Where am I? I got to shoot with Kelly a number of times since I’ve been in Queenstown, and as a relative newcomer to the bike film scene, this was a big deal for me. But it did not take long for Kelly to move from fantastical mountain bike legend into the category of a friend. Although all his friends would probably still categorise him as a legend to this day. One thing that always stuck with me was that after just about every photo shoot, he would ask me if I'd like to use his bike to do a run of the trail and he’d shuttle me to the top.
This experience reflects the sentiment that Kelly really enjoyed his life and wanted others to enjoy it just as much as he did. I feel privileged to share this film with you all and hope that it carries that same sentiment, to celebrate his life and most importantly our own. That is how he would have wanted it.
Kelly, Tui and I had a real fun time shooting this film. Although Tui did get a bit grumpy sometimes when Kelly made her hit the same sections over and over again. I feel stoked to tell you that Kelly did see the final cut, and was super pumped on the film. I hope you all enjoy it just as much." - Paul Rayner- Interrobang Motion Pictures
I wont lie, as a dog owner I am extremely choked up after watching that... Dogs are so loyal and so smart. That poor pup will be spend the rest of his days searching for his buddy to run trails with. I could not imagine what kind of void that leaves, for the dog, for his family, and for his riding buddies. #GoldpedalsforMirra #GoldheartforMcGarry
Kelly's dog does a great job of keeping up. I love that his pooch stays on his back wheel and not out front. Great job training that dog some manners. I love riding with a back wheel dog that knows his place. RIP McGazza
Smiling while I hold back a little wet eye. What a perfect posthumous video for Kelly. Good times and happiness ooze out of that edit even with the sadness that came after the filming. Thanks Paul and odi for making another little bit of Kelly's life real for all of us who weren't lucky enough to know him. RIP McGazza, forever a legend and Kia Kaha to all this friends and family.
"One thing that always stuck with me was that after just about every photo shoot, he would ask me if I'd like to use his bike to do a run of the trail and he’d shuttle me to the top." A non-biker might say "meh" but we know how huge that is! what a LEGEND!
While his passing is ultimately tragic, I take some comfort knowing that at any given second during the 4 minute video, Kelly is having more fun and enjoying life more than some people will experience in a lifetime.
Dont normally post anything, but this is worthy. I saw him outside a food place once and stopped him. He talked to me for a few mins, and he was super cool. Not trying to say I knew the guy or anything just reinforcing what everyone else is saying. He was the man. RIP.
Awesome vid, its a shame that i didnt appreciate how much of a wicked rider and man McGarry was until it was too late. Cant seem to find how to favourite the vid?
It's one of my favorite vids now. I had goosebumps coz it's kinda happy and sad at the same time. Can imagine how much the dog misses him already! Ride in peace Kelly.
Rest in peace Kelly! Man you were an inspiration and a legend. I wish I could ask you the question about how you make your dog run so fast! I hope your family are coping well.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR... HANDS DOWN.. R.I.P. KELLY.... and YES, he IS a LEGEND. (ALWAYS was in my eyes !!!!!!! ..) was hard to watch without f*cking losing it...
Words cannot describe the loss to the community that was Kelly passing. And all the thank yous possible to Odi and Tui the dog for making this.
Ride in Paradise Kelly. We miss you.
Love the part at 1:38 where Kelly goes through the creek. And then Tui comes through after and is all like: Not today my good friend... Ima huck it! Brap.
Epic, Awesome, rad, everyting in there that is totally awesome dudes, dog check, epic riding, McGazza!, VOY!!! glad the dog gets the front seat and couch, just like my riding buddy, MG was and will always be awesome, even more after that, cheers.
I would like to think that all of wonderful thoughts and memories of Kelly would translate into donations to his Memorial funds.PLEASE donate towards these funds to ensure his legacy as you all have said ...will be remembered and used .this has been shared 10,000 times and viewed many more times... COME ON PEOPLE.. for a price of a sandwich or coffee you could donate towards his legacy!!! Details are on this wonderful tribute: www.gofundme.com/KellyMcGarry givealittle.co.nz/org/kellymcgarrymemorialtrust
Kelly McGarry's Go Fund Me Page Kelly McGarry Memorial Trust
Very very touching video. I know his family and friends are going through a very tough time but it's really heartbreaking to think what his dog is going through as well.
Any body know what the cause was? It's very rare for a young man to have heart attack or DVT. Not being morbid, just trying to put it all together. I work in the medical industry so just curious.
That last shot of Kelly and his dog riding slow-mo into the sunset... Watched this video this morning and I've been thinking about that shot all day. Rest in peace.
Just breaks my heart.
Cant seem to find how to favourite the vid?
And then Tui comes through after and is all like: Not today my good friend... Ima huck it! Brap.
*dog scrubs
*dog does left - right transfer
*dog shreds
*dog needs a world cup sponno
OH LAWD that was good and sad. Poor little fella.
Details are on this wonderful tribute:
www.gofundme.com/KellyMcGarry
givealittle.co.nz/org/kellymcgarrymemorialtrust
Kelly McGarry's Go Fund Me Page
Kelly McGarry Memorial Trust