team bio: whittaker warrington, air company kiteboarding instructor

vitals

Whittaker Warrington

Whitaker and His signature board off

with air since: 2005
kiting since: 2002
alive since: 1990

We met Whittaker on the beach at the end of a downwinder one summer day back in 2002. He was only 12 and was beach hopping with a 5m kite. We soon became friends with he and his father and have bonded over our shared kiteboarding passion.

Years later, he's quickly becoming one of Charleston's top riders. If it's windy, you'll likely find him kiting on Isle of Palm's south end. With big fluid jumps and smooth grabs, he's as much fun to watch as he is to be around. Since we've opened, he's become a shop favorite!

nickname: air trouser

Whittaker's unique humor either has us laughing uncontrollably or just blankly staring at him. in many of his one liners, he frequently uses the word "trouser"

That, coupled with persistent drive to kite in any condition and to try new tricks has proven that he has definitely "taken the skirt off and put on some pants!"

mantra you live by

Time to apply the trousers!
–whittaker warrington

teach

Whittaker Warrington

instructor basics

why you became an instructor
I'm currently in instructor training. It's a long process, but learning "how to teach" makes me feel like I can do more to help others out.

tip for kiters wanting to improve
Fly your trainer kite as much as you can. the more you fly it the easier it will be to learn

tip for those kiters just starting out
be aware of the other kiters around you and your environment, and take it easy at first

kiteboarding certifications
Now in training!

style

Whittaker Loves inverted moves

my riding

favorite gear setup
My 14m North Vegas, 132 Cesar Pro board, and Air Styler waist harness.

favorite kiteboard moves
Big floaty airs and smooth, good looking grabs

hardest trick you're working on now
Handlepasses . . . whoa!

kiteboarding influences
I get a lot of influence from all the guys i kite with. Just hearing someone talk about some move and seeing them try it then is where i get most influence. On the Pro level, I admire Ruben Lenten for his huge stylish airs and loops.

NON-kiteboarding influences
Me mum.

worst kitemare
Back in 2005, I was doing a downwinder through Breech's Inlet and the incoming current sucked me in immediately. It stole all my power and my kite dropped like a rock. I barely made it before wrapping my kite under the bridge.

guide

Whittaker Warrington kites into a tail slide

personal ride guide

favorite Charleston riding spot
In front of my house on 2nd avenue, IOP or in Breach's inlet at a low tide... epic flat water AKA The Waffle House

favorite riding spot outside Charleston
.OBX, North Carolina.

favorite riding conditions
SW 18 kts - anywhere below 25 on my 14m vegas at low tide in the channel between the Breach's Inlet sandbar and IOP with the flat water and waves past the sandbar.

places kited
Charleston; Outerbanks, NC.

kiteboarding trips planned
Cozumel, Baja & Puerto Rico.

other

Whittaker heckles Big-Bri

non-kiting notes

other sports & hobbies
Snowboarding and Wakeboarding.

something outside of kiting most would not know
Apparently I have cankles (my calves and ankles kind of blend together).

favorite color
uh ... they're all cool.

favorite food
Moe's burritos are pretty good.

favorite music
Almost anything but country

bests stupid human trick
my ability to have an epic downwinder in 12 kts on a surfboard with 3-4 ft waves.

gallery

Whittaker Warrington Air Kiteboarding

Whittaker Warrington and his board off