The OMG Tune & Service Shop - McGazza

At OMG we consider our service department to be the heart and soul of our shop. It is what keeps you biking, skiing, and riding. Without our service shop, and without you trusting us with your gear, we do not exist. With that being said, we have decided to honor our culture of the gnar by naming our tunes after people that we have lost and have affected our lives and our industry in a positive way.

Today we highlight Kelly McGarry:

Know to his friends as "McGazza", Kelly McGarry was an icon of the MTB world. In 2006 he entered his first Crankworx, placed 18th, and quickly got the attention of many sponsors. 

“I really had no idea that I’d ever end up doing it for a job back then,” he told DirtTV last year. “But I just kept at it. And I eventually started getting a couple of good results and people started noticing.” 

In 2013, at Redbull Rampage, McGazza went viral with a backflip over a 72-foot canyon gap! He was the first to ever attempt this trick.

McGazza was a huge presence, standing over 6'5 and 200 lbs with long curly hair he could not be missed. Some of the best images are of him signing autographs and chatting with fans. He is quoted saying, “If I can give something back to the kids, I’m gonna [do it]," (Dirt TV).

Kelly McGarry suffered a heart attack while pedaling uphill on the Fernhill Loop Track in New Zealand. Two riders were with him and started CPR, but it was unsuccessful. McGazza was only 33 years old.

“We were informed about his death in the morning and are petrified, shocked and heartbroken about losing one of our family members,” the YT Industries press release said. “Kelly was a warm-hearted, friendly and relaxed guy. He stood for the true essence of mountain biking through every aspect of his life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, girlfriend and his friends. The mountain bike world lost an exceptional character.” (YT Industries)

Check out https://www.facebook.com/kellymcgarryfoundation to learn about his foundation that is fostering New Zealand's MTB trails & talent in honor of McGazza, as well as the yearly McGazza fest!

Kelly McGarry - 1982-2016