Xander Raith
Part affable high school student, part multi-sport freak of nature, Xander Raith can be found on most windy days ripping the flats at Bass Point, throwing down freestyle in boots or skate tricks on the skimboard. Already an accomplished freestyle snowboard competitor Xander started kiting last year, during the summer of 2011. “I’ve gotten a lot of kids going” says local instructor and fellow freestyle ripper Andrew Pearl. But Xander was the only one who I taught to fly the kite and then just got out of his way. He pretty much just dove the kite the first time, sailed off and started throwing tricks.”
Backflip - Bass Point
“Kiteboarding is the perfect sport for me on Nantucket”, Xander commented the other day on the beach while taking a breather from a session on his 3.5 during a gust to 35 day. “The flatwater conditions are just insane and I’m looking forward to ripping the ocean as well.”
But no 14 year old kid gets very far in Kiteboarding without strong family support behind him. When not sailing himself Xander’s dad Greg can often be found performing “chase boat” duties in and around the waters of Bass Point. And Xander’s younger brother Benjamin has recently been paying his dues at Jetties and Bass Point. With 3 kites in the air at a time this crew is going to need a serious quiver.
Greg Raith
Who knows, today Nantucket pond parties, tomorrow the Triple S. We’ll be watching as Xander and the rest of the kids of Bass Point develop as kiters into the future.
Photos: Pond Party – Oct 5. 2012 – Bass Pt.
**Note: All quotations in the above article were 100% fabricated.
