It all started a t 10-years-old, when my father and I visited a kite shop near my grandparent’s house in Florida. Once inside, our eyes darted around all the skillfully crafted wind art dangling among the rafters. After about an hour, we found ourselves gazing at the same 2-line controllable kite. It was obvious we were both mesmerized as we dreamed flying it.

My father bought that stunt kite and we took it to the beach for first flight. As the kite launched, my mind went blank and all thoughts vanished…except for that kite dancing around the sky. For me, it was therapeutic and I soon became infatuated with anything that flew in the wind. As I grew up, it was one of the few things my dad and I uniquely shared interest in.

I live for the water, the wind, and the kite (represented by my three rings). I work with what I live for. Thus, when I work, I'm seduced by life.

A few years and kites later, I learned that a big enough kite could loft me into the sky for a few brief seconds of flight. As I grew, so did the kites as I pursued power kiting. Now, power kiting has always been much bigger in europe and I toyed around with buggies and traction kiting. Then one day, a friend dared me to take out his surfboard with a power kite stack. It was a disasterous experience. While my first experience was cut short by a wave crashing on me head, “catching some air” became extremely exhilarating. I soon began experimenting with kites that pulled and lifted.

While I was digging sand out of my nose, someone else had the idea to start kite skiing around the same time in Hood River Oregon. Over the next 10 years, I watched water ski'ers and wind surfers experiment with kite surfing in France, Hawaii and Oregon. Before I new it, they had created a new official sport in 1998. I watched it for a while then got brave enough to try learning the waves in 2001. I fell in love with kiteboarding.

Three schools and four degrees later, I found my self in business meetings often gazing out the window hoping to find a flag or some leaves blowing around. For creative inspiration, I would fly a kite or just sit outside in the breeze. Then one day it happened. My passion got the best of me and on July 1st, 2001, I said adios to my software executive career and created air.

Two years later on July 19th, 2003, air opened it’s first brick ‘n mortar shop in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Based on the art of interacting with the wind, air is passionate about offering great stuff to help invigorate the soul. Whether watching a spinner out side the kitchen window or catching 50 feet on a power kite, air is about using fung (the wind) as a healing power to rejuvenate and enlighten. Ancient cultures have been doing it for centuries. . . .

It's still practice it today, only we call it
thairapy

instructor basics

why you became an instructor
.When I learned the sport, there were no such thing as "certified kiteboarding instructors." My learning curve was long, very frustrating and often painful. Before leaving the corporate world, I decided to enroll in a kiteboarding instructor clinic. My aspirations at the time were to support my addiction by training others. The addiction soon took over, and I left it all. . . just so I could breathe a little air.

tip for kiters wanting to improve
One word: commit >>> before trying a new move or riding in a new location, commit yourself to doing it all the way. If you don't, you'll crash. Off the water, practice yoga. It will greatly improve you balance, finesse, and fluidity as well as keeping your body tuned up.

tip for those kiters just starting out
For the first 10-15 sessions after your lesson, body drag for at least 20 minutes before even trying to get on your board. Doing so will help you dial in to current conditions and increase your confidence. Also, you'll be tuning your kite control skills, which will increase riding success once you strap on your board.

kiteboarding certifications
PASA, PKSF, Advanced First Aid, CPR, Coast Guard Safety

my riding

favorite gear setup
An aggressive higher-aspect kite (speed & lift) paired with a slightly longer, narrow board (edging power and chop buster) and a seat harness (lower center of gravity) allows me to ride faster and jump higher with a smooth fluid style.

Currently, I'm in love with progressive "C" shape kites and flat fives (the hybrid kites using a 5th line safety system). For freestyle and looping, the 2007 Vegas rocks. For big air, the 2007 Rhino is insane. For the best of both world's Flexifoil's Ion 2 does an incredible job. Board wise, I've found the Nobile 666 my favorite this season. I need a board with high speed control, great upwind reach and easy landing for my big air's .

favorite kiteboard moves
Some may call it old school, but the classic board-off is my favorite kiteboarding trick. It reveals why kiteboarding is so unique: hangtime. The ability to fly with an organic smoothness is found in no other sport.

hardest trick you're working on now
Rotational 360 Board off. I can do both, but combo is tough.

kiteboarding influences
I get my drive from my team mates more than anything else. Riders like Davey Blair, Noah Simon, and Dale Slear...all who have surpassed my skill levels and have reached sponsorship levels.

NON-kiteboarding influences
My number one influencer would be Elea Faucheron (AKA air chica). Without her support and visions, Air wouldn't be what it is today. I also regard my kids (air junior and air jordan) as the two people who gave me the most motivation to start it all. And finally, me mum and dad. Though they separated when I was wee young, their business and life guidance gave me tools to do it.

worst kitemare
Uh, which one ... I have been in and seen several pretty gnarly ones. All happening because riders weren't properly trained, like myself, or going out in extreme conditions.

The worst would be my fourth session out, I took on the hatteras waves with a board leash and a 5m first generation F-One ram air dual-line kite in 25 knots.

The board came off and got sucked down in an undertow, taking me under with it. Somehow, I powered the kite up and it shot me out of the water up about 20 feet and 20 yards onto the beach. The board snapped out of the water and landed on me, digging the fins about a 1/2" into my back. This could have been avoided if I would have taken the time to learn first, before trying to ride.

personal ride guide

favorite Charleston riding spot
The waffle house on Isle of Palms (details here). Super wide, super beautiful beaches with barley any beach traffic and a variety of water conditions...you might get smothered, covered or chopped in the same session.

favorite riding spot outside Charleston
Any lagoon in the Caribbean. Right now, Cozumel, Mexico is topping the list.

favorite riding conditions
18-22 knots on my 14m Rhino 06 with perfect launching ramps (4-6' clean waves @ 4-6second intervals).

places kited
All over South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and of course, North Carolina. Barbados, Cozumel, Baja, Tobago, Grenada, Nassau, Dominican Republic, Caymans, Guadeloupe, Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico.

kiteboarding trips planned
Definitely another trip to both Baja and Cozumel. In the fall, we're seriously thinking Brazil's northeast coast. We'll probably scope out Belize and/or the St. Martin next year. There's also a possibility of visit's air chica's French Family, so we're super stoked on hitting the Mediterranean Sea

non-kiting notes

other sports & hobbies
Uh, I pretty much fly kites most of the time. But, I do really enjoy the culinary arts, Flamenco Guitar, Living Arts, & Yoga.

something outside of kiting most would not know
I've been fired more times than I've quit my jobs. I'm a pretty aggressive thinker and do'er and have never fit into any box, I've always been outside it.

favorite color
Just walk in the shop... purple & silver.

favorite food
Authentic Spanish Tapas.

favorite music
Music with a rhythmic undertone and groovy melodies. Anything from Trip-Hop to modern progressive.

bests stupid human trick
Keeping myself sane.