Lost my board once, after a sunset surf in Mauritius. Simple forgot to pack it. After an hours drive back to the hotel I realised, turned back... The only other kiter out that day had found it and hung it up in a tree along the shore, with arrows pointed on the beach. Top man! Went back the next day with a cold crate of beer. Shared a few cold ones, exchanged a few travel stories, all good.
Rescued a few boards, no beers etc but a simple thank you will suffice. Happy to help out, god knows I needed all the help I could get when I was learning the sport... 
Lost one in the river mouth, outgoing tide carried the board upwind faster than I could body drag- was happy to hand over a case when it was returned.
I go away for a few days and return to see the thread has got a bit of life in it
I made a rookie error on the day, got into a tangle with another kiter.
(Flame suite on)
I decided to let go of my board so I was free to sort the mess out while we were in the water - I needed to get to the other guy quickly and the board was slowing me down, otherwise it could have ended up quite a bad incident.
I could have body dragged back to my board, but the other guy seemed to be having trouble with his kite, so I went to shore to help him out instead.
When we made it to shore, the other guy's lines were in a tangle, so I helped him sort them out (my gear was fine), I saw my board in the water and watched it float away as a couple of kiters and poleys rode past it a few times- I'd hoped someone would have brought it in for me.
I'm not whinging that they didn't.
I guess in hindsight I should have just swum out the 100m to get it then sorted the other guy's tangled lines, but my priority as to help the other guy out, then worry about getting my board.
ANYWAY, my board was returned by a nice family the following day, the dad spotted it in the water up at Mullaloo the afternoon I lost it.
A carton of cider was a fair price to pay to get my board back and keep me in the game.
P.S.- For what it's worth to those who care- I've only lost my board once while body dragging for it- details in my first post, I've body dragged for it numerous times successfully since.
cheers guys.
KDS- I hope you're having some success with that guy.
happened 1 time.. I didn't have the name on it, but
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/New-South-Wales/Simply-amazed-by-the-kindness-of-people/
after that day I remember to write the infos on the board...
