When you see a guy on the water, ripping, it’s too easy to assume he is a pro-kiter. A beach bum who spends their days smoking grass and waiting for the wind and tide to align for the perfect session. Well this is not always the case and Warrick Meyer is a true example. His average day is spent 32,000ft above our heads and when he’s not flying planes he is on an aerial assault of a different kind! He shows us that you don’t need to be 19 and spending 4 hours a day in the water to be at the top of your game, which is where he’s at! Dirty Habits managed to tie him down and find out the truth about waveriding, where it’s heading and how to make sure you’re not left behind on the air-bridge!
Age: 32 gusting 33
Years Kiting: 4
Occupation: Pilot
Plane you fly: Boeing.
Home Spot: Big Bay, Cape Town.
DH: Wave riding is taking different paths of progression these days including strapless, unhooked, onshore winds, down the line wave riding and more. Which do you think is the most progressive form of riding waves?
WM: Strapless and unhooked, the closer to surfing the better. If you watch any good rider their feet are always moving, no two waves or two days are ever the same. I think that’s what keeps us addicted. Strapless gives you versatility to change the trim of your board depending on your speed and position on the wave. There is no better feeling than getting barreled, with or without a kite. The only difference with a kite is more waves.
DH: We are seeing shapers and brands coming out with some strange shaped boards and sizes, even fish tail chunky boards. What’s your opinion on board types and sizes for pure surf style wave riding,
WM: KISS, surfboard shapers have been working intimately with pros for decades and if it surfs well it’s going to kite even better. The big advantage with a kite is that you don’t have to paddle into a wave so we can reduce the volume of a board normally in length and gain even more maneuverability in the pocket. The next time you injure yourself and the average on Blowfeed is 13 kts head down to Big Bay and you will see Smarty on a 5″something riding “pure surf style” – respect.