air jedi davey blair pro-kiteboarder Also known as "Chucktown," this Charleston original
helped get air off the ground. Year's
later,
he now lives in Hawaii
where he trains full time for the Liquid Force International Kiteboarding Team. Find the latest Liquid Force Kiteboarding Gear Here....
vitals
with air since: the start
kiting since: 2003 alive since:1984
We first met Davey on the beach while kiting. He and three groms had a tiny trainer kite trying to pull themselves around on a Carve Board. We gave him an old kite magazine and went about our day.
A few months later, Davey came up to and asked if anyone knew how to repair kites. We explained how our "new" store was getting ready to open, but could help him if he came over to the house. He did and we fixed his kite.
A few weeks later, Davey and Kai Larusso, curious about the shop, stopped by what was to become air. They offered to help in any way possible. With out any compensation, they both graciously helped lay and glue carpet, then help paint the shop. Davey became air's first instructor and employee...and the first BIG pro to emerge from air and "Chucktown.".
nickname: air jedi
Besides looking like a young Luke Skywalker with that blonde shaggy head, Davey had surpassed all local rider talent within only 6 months after he started kiteboarding.
In less than a year, he earned his first International Sponsorship with Gaastra Kiteboarding. Now, he rides full time on the International Liquid Forces kiteboarding Pro team.
Simply, Davey Blair has the kiteboarding "force" with him.
mantra you live by
to some it's salt water . . .
but to me . . . it's holy water
- unknown chucktown resource
teach
instructor basics
why you became an instructor I becam an instrucotr so I could make some extra cash flow. .. basically because I was good at it and I was on the beach every day, anyways.
tip for kiters wanting to improve Never think twice...just pull the trigger . No matter how far you've gone, keep going through your frustration level, because it will come...if you want it.
Don't believe all the hype that kiteboarders talk.
tip for those kiters just starting out Learn your gear first, because it will break and you will have to fix it. Keep watching others, including the videos. It will help you big time!
favorite gear setup Any medium High-Aspect kite that's super stable and grunty while riding unhooked with a wake style board for the sliders. In the surf, go Bow on the kite with 6.0' surfboard or tow-board.
Right now, it's Liquid Force Menace 10m with a Drop LTD 138 board stoked with the Mega Pimp Union Bindings, White Harness
favorite kiteboard moves Anything unhooked. I love smooth styley grabs with a stomp landing while the kite is low. Will always love boosting BIG air off a wave...just flying and soaring.
hardest trick you're working on now Honestly, Pure Style Tricks are easy, but making them look good is what seperates the boys from the men .
The true hard trick I'm working on is a Flat 7 (a 720 rotation unhooked with two handle passes).
kiteboarding influences Jason Sleezak has been influencing me from the start. Style master Andre Philippe kills it like non other. Everyone from Chucktown that is so stoked on kiteboarding. And, the air company for nothing but support.
NON-kiteboarding influences Big daddy (my pop) for his ongoing support of such a crazy lifestyle. The Chucktown crew for keeping my head straight. All the doctors I've seen over the years who have pieced my back together after trying that new kiteboarding move.
worst kitemare Have a couple, but the scariest was losing my kite at Backyards, Hawaii in a solid winter swell (12-16' faces). Let go of the bar, but kite lines were wrapped around my wrist super tight. Somehow, I got the line off my wrist just before the kite powered up. I was stuck like a buoy out there with no kite, no board, no life vest. Had to swim back through the impact zone and take my lickings.
Know how crazy it is out there before charging it. DON'T go past your limits...
guide
personal ride guide
favorite Charleston riding spot 3rd Bar connecting Sullivan's Island to Isle of Palms across Breach Inlet (details here). There's nobody around expect the seagulls, the shrimp, the stingrays, and the mud minnows...nothing else matters when your out in the pluff mud.
favorite riding spot outside Charleston North Shore Hawaii. It's BIG and Intimidating...you never know what you're going to get...or what's coming at you.
favorite riding conditions 20+ knots with flat water & sliders OR with big surf coming in.
places kited All over South Carolina, Portugal, Australia, Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, California, Hood River Gorge, Baja, Hatteras OBX - North Carolina
kiteboarding trips planned Never now till a week before the trip.
other
non-kiting notes
other sports & hobbies Surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding, fishing, Bob Marley
something outside of kiting most would not know I can hunt, shoot par on a golf course, track a deer, take a boat out to deep sea and back and ask my friends how to spell.
favorite color Green with a touch of black.
favorite food Sea food...eat it.
favorite music Hip hop, reggae...anything that gets my ass out the chair.
bests stupid human trick listening to other kiteboarder's BIG FISH stories.
located near & kiteboarding in historic Charleston, SC in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina serving
charleston, sc - myrtle
beach, sc - beaufort, sc - hilton head island, sc - savanah, ga - south
carolina lowcountry
