AWSI 2024 Board of Directors + Team
President
Kevin Wade, Action Sports Logistics
Kevin Wade began his passion for Wind Sports in the early 2000s. After becoming hooked on the feelings of freedom and excitement, he decided to commit himself to pursuing a career in the industry. Since then, Kevin has traveled the world chasing the wind. He has been an Instructor, Athlete, Sales Rep, etc. In 2017, He founded Action Sports Logistics in hopes of providing logistics and technical support for brands looking to grow in the North American Market. Kevin and his Team Represent Brunotti Boards and Accessories, Eleveight Kites, Delta Hydrofoil, and Firefin. He is also an owner of The Waterman Manufacturing Company (WMFG) and Distributes Waydoo Efoils. Kevin is interested in joining the AWSI BOD to help guide and lend his expertise to the wind sports industry as it navigates innovation, sustainability, and growth.
Vice President
Vadim Polonsky, Green Hat Kiteboarding
While doing the 9 to 5 grind a fter college as a software engineer on Wall Street, Vadim saw a kiteboarding competition on TV and instantly fell in love. In 2001, he quit his job, bought the gear, and went to Cabarete for the summer to learn. He was hooked and started teaching lessons on the side when he got home. Soon after, it snowballed into a full-time business. Today, Green Hat Kiteboarding is one of the leading wind sport retail businesses in the US. From free riding, to wave riding, to hydrofoil racing, to wing foiling — Vadim still enjoys every flavor of our amazing sport and tries to get on the water every chance he gets. In the last few years, he’s dedicated a lot of time to teaching his kids and now they can all enjoy time on the water together.
Vadim brings a retailer perspective to the association and strongly believes that our industry needs a trade association with one main goal: to help it grow. He would like to see the association grow beyond the annual industry trade event and expand further in promoting our sports with local events, and marketing, for example, as well as work on solving common issues that hinder our growth (beach closures, fraud, competition from other markets, etc.).
Secretary
Pat Taylor, North Actionsports
Pat was fortunate enough to grow up on the shores of Lake Michigan watching wind sports his entire childhood. Kiteboarding was the new growing sport when he was a kid and he knew he needed to be a part of it. Eventually, he hung around Mackite’s shop enough that they gave him a job so he would stop wasting their time. Nine years later he’s still at MAC, but in a much different capacity co-running the kite and efoil department. Pat said that the industry has given him so much over the years that serving on the AWSI board is a great way for him to give back to it.
Pat also believes that adding more events throughout the year is one of the best ways to grow wind sports and would like to see a North American points tour with a grassroots feel, wing races, kiteboarding races, or comps to get more exposure for the industry.
Treasurer
Ben Skaggs, Duotone Kite + ION Water
Ben grew up surfing in Baja Mexico and started in the wind sports around 2005. He quickly became an IKO instructor and taught and managed kite schools up until 2015. Along with teaching he would spend his summers up in Hood River working retail at Big Winds. Now he lives in Hood River and works for Boards & More as a Duotone and ION kite rep for the East Coast, Caribbean, Central and South America. He is excited to support the wind and water industry as best as he can and hopefully have fun doing so!
Sam Medysky, Airush Kiteboarding + AK Durable Supply Co.
Sam is currently working in the water/wind sports industry in North America and is interested in helping to support the industry. Sam is the Americas sales manager for Airush, Kiteboarding School former owner “Kiterider Canada” and 2014 AWSI Professional Male Kiteboarder of the year.
If it involves wind and a board, chances are Derek has done it. He grew up in Oregon splitting time between Hood River and the coast where he learned to windsurf at 5. He was drawn to kiteboarding immediately when it first started but had to wait until 2006 before he was able to learn. He got his start in the industry working at the Gorge Surf Shop in 2008, where he worked for a number of summer seasons through college. Eventually his obsession with wind and waves led him to Maui where he started working for Naish in early 2014 and spent as much time on the water as possible kiting, surfing or SUPing. After 6 years on island and going through a number of positions at Naish, he is now back in Hood River, working as Naish’s North American Sales and Marketing Coordinator. When he’s not at his desk he can be found on the river Wing-Surfing, which has become his latest wind-driven obsession. With a life and career largely dedicated to windsports, Derek is happy to be on the AWSI board to help serve the windsport industry.
Sensi Graves, Sensi Graves Swim, Entrepeneur + Pro Rider
A professional kiteboarder for over a decade, Sensi started her career in wind sports as a kiteboarding instructor for Real Watersports and today, continues to play an active role in developing new kiteboarders and wingers through her women's camps. In 2012, she started a swimwear company for female kiteboarders and as an inspirational speaker, is passionate about helping people create belief in themselves, on and off the water. Sensi loves wind sports and wants to continue to share its many facets with as many people as possible. She is interested in serving on the AWSI board to support the organization's mission, foster inclusive practices, and give back to the industry that has given her so much.
Billy Ackerman, Bay Area Kitesurf
Surrounded by wind and watersports from a young age growing up on the Gulf coast of Florida, Billy’s father helped start the Hook-In-Hold-On regatta in the 80s in BVI and managed the yacht charter that moved participants from island to island. This was a legendary Windsurfing event that led to lots of sailing for Billy and his early fascination with sail power and later, surfing. Billy started kitesurfing in 2000 at the Skyway Bridge and later became an F-One Rider in College and worked at Ocean Extreme Sports in St. Augustine for years. His F-One affiliation led to a full-time job, years down the road, starting as an athlete, then to a tech rep manning demo tours across North America, then advancing to an office job and more. Currently living in San Francisco and managing the F-One & Manera North American Distribution for NA distributor Bay Area Kitesurf, Billy’s passion for Watersports still drives the love for what he does daily. Billy eats, breathes, and sleeps our industry sports and there is nothing more he wants to be doing. They say you never work a day in your life if you truly love what you do and Billy said, “Being a member of our AWSI Board of Directors would be a way I can get more involved and help shape our industry for the better. I have been attending these events and participating
Jonathan Modica, Water Bound Investments
An industry association is critical to the health and long-term viability of any industry but this is even more vital in the wind sports industry. The reality is we operate in a relatively niche market, where even small events locally or globally can have major impacts. As Chairman of Water Bound Investments, the parent company of one of the largest distribution centers, the largest network of retail stores, and multiple leading brands, I believe it’s vital in my role to work collectively with other AWSI board members to help share information and support the industry as a whole.
LynDee Talmage, Trade Show Manager
LynDee Talmage is a dedicated water sports enthusiast and resident of Hood River, where she can be found at the waterfront almost daily, walking her dog or kiteboarding. With over 20 years of experience in the gear industry, her most recent role was in the Marketing dept at Slingshot Sports and Ride Engine. She was their AWSI tradeshow lead for the last four years. In her work, LynDee prioritizes creating transparent and inclusive atmospheres while building connecting relationships, which she believes are key to successful projects. She is known for her adventurous attitude and enthusiastic character. Her goal is to be a dedicated and inspirational team leader, with a vision for developing industry-leading marketing programs and community events. She is passionate about water sports and finds joy in living in Hood River, close to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, perfect for her kiteboarding and wing surfing adventures.
Mark Blake, Executive Director
Mark is a lifelong athlete who got hooked on kiteboarding in 2015 after watching locals on the water in the east end of Long Island. Mark is passionate about driving the growth of wind and water sports by improving exposure, access, participation and engagement across North America.
Mark comes to AWSI after a career in strategy and finance at large companies, including Cardinal Health, Nielsen and S&P Global. Mark resides in northern New Jersey and can frequently be found kiteboarding in the bay at Sandy Hook or the ocean in Spring Lake.