I have the worst memory ever but occasionally there are a few things that stay with me quite vividly, one of which is Kai Katchadourian’s MASSIVE aerial back in 1997 at the Dakine competition at Ho’okipa. I can’t even begin to describe the sound of the gasp let out by everyone on the beach as he hit the lip on a mast high wall of water and just went up and up and up. That aerial was in the final heat of the competition against Josh Angulo and it played a big role in winning him that event.
We had the pleasure of watching him sail at Ho’okipa again last year and his heats at the Maui Makani contest were some of the best of the event. Kai rode some of the biggest and best waves of the contest and sailed the absolute hell out of them.
Kai is as friendly & kindhearted as you can get and as a windsurfer he has proved to be outstanding time and time again. And let’s not forget, he is an amazing and insanely talented drummer … Paul reckons he’s better than my all time favourite Tico Torres! 
Congratulations to Kai & his wife on the new addition to the family!
The Basics
Name: Kai Katchadourian
Age: 4 decades
Nationality: USA, Finland
Status: Happily Married with Child
Where are you currently based? Maui, Helsinki, California, Board Bag
Sponsors: Simmer Style, Da Kine, Rocket Shells, Surfers Varberg, Streamlined
Why are you so passionate about windsurfing? Windsurfing is a serious amount of fun in just about any environment and continues to evolve. Its simply fun !!
Most visited website?(Other than Facebook!) Windguru
Three words you believe describe you: Always having fun
Three words that others might use to describe you: Always in charge !!
A phrase or motto you live by: Always take everything in your life seriously except yourself.
Shallow Waters
If you were a superhero, which power would you want to have? Time travel.
Favorite movie? The Final Countdown. Its about the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off Hawaii. It travels back in time to Dec 6 , 1941.
Favorite place to eat. At home or Sushi Bar
When you travel what don’t you leave home without? My passport
Who would you like to sit next to on a long haul flight? My wife and my son
What would you do if you won the lottery? I’d pocket the loot, and tell nobody.
Windsurfing
How long have you been windsurfing? 30 years or so !!
Where is your favourite windsurfing spot and why? I like the long racetrack section at Ali Baba in Cabo Verde during a NNW swell.
What equipment are you sailing on at this current time? Simmer Flywave and Blacktip combo totally rocks the house.
If you have a number on your sails, what is the significance of the number you selected? US 33. Its a multiple of 11. Also the age of my mother when I was born.
What is your most vivid or favourite memory of a personal windsurfing moment? Rode the wave of my life at Ali Baba two years ago. Double mast high, one minute long.
Where was your scariest ride? Tell us a little about the experience. Peahi, one seriously important bottom turn on i don’t know how big, but it was off the scale. Still remember the feeling of looking up at a lip that was taller than a building.
Deep Waters
Other than family, what do you cherish in your life and why is it so important to you? My health. Never take it for granted.
What is the kindest thing someone has ever done or said to you? I got a lot of great compliments on my performance during the final of the 2011 Makani Classic.
Thank you everyone !
Do you believe in a higher power? Elaborate a little on your beliefs. Our higher power is more powerful when we all believe together.
Tell us about an event that changed your life or your character? Meeting my wife in the Summer of 2003 out on our Finland Summer home.
How do you want to be remembered? Fearless Warrior, with a gentle heart, and an open mind
A piece of wisdom you’d pass onto your kids? Anywhere is paradise, its up to you !
What has been your greatest achievement outside of windsurfing? Our son Kian. He has been a game changer for sure. We are so blessed.
How do you personally define success? Happiness with no limits.
And Finally…
I’m a big believer in…where you are coming from will take you to where you are going
Call me crazy but….the person who does the best is the one having the best time
My favourite place on earth is…. our Finland Summer home on a strong SW wind
My parents are…. an endless source of inspiration, married 45 years and going strong !!
I could never…. let someone tell me how to feel
I’ve always wanted to….fly an F-14 Tomcat and land on an aircraft carrier
Life is nothing without…. your family, your friends and your passion for what you love
Today I will…. remember the past and anticipate the future but live in the present
The internet is…. more information than you need, whenever you need it
If I had the power I would change…. the ones who try to influence others with greed
I am…. a percussion driven ocean warrior, who loves his family, and his environment
Wow, “the final COuntdown” is definitely not very well known! it’s also one of my favorite, saw it recently again on Netflix.