Meet Our Team
Vadim is the founder of Green Hat Kiteboarding. He learned to kiteboard in 2002 and was one of the first kiteboarders in the area. An avid wing foiler, he is obsessed with testing gear and tuning it for maximum performance.
He is an IKO Certified Level 2 Instructor, PASA Level 2 Instructor, and he has a US Coast Guard Master Captain license.
Brian learned to kiteboard on a Cabrinha Prodigy and an Epic kite back in 2008. He grew up wakeboarding, water skiing, and sailing, but it was kiteboarding that changed his life. The sport has taken him to places he never imagined and introduced him to some amazing people, and his passion for the sport drew him to instructing.
Brian is an IKO Certified Instructor and has a Captain license. He spends his free time racing (and wingfoiling) foil regattas, throwing tricks on a twintip, or playing hockey.
Travis is the son of east coast surf legend Mike Tabeling and an avid waterman who's been surfing since the young age of 5. Growing up in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, Travis had the pleasure of surfing side by side with the world's best, developing his passion for the ocean and deep understanding of gear and technique.
Nowadays you can catch him at his locale in Cape Hatteras, hitting the water every chance he gets. Whether you're kiting, foiling, or surfing, Travis's knowledge and experience far surpass his age, and he's passionate about helping others find the right equipment and develop their skills in these sports.
Jim is a logistics specialist at Green Hat, he manages inventory operations, ensures smooth fulfillment processes and helps customers in the showroom. Outside of work, Jim is an avid motorcyclist who enjoys group rides with his local motorcycle community.
He has a knack for hands-on problem solving and takes pride in finding efficient solutions for packaging and shipping challenges. When he is not on the road or at the warehouse, you might find him learning to wingfoil and planning the next ride.
Kelly is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for water sports. Raised in New Jersey, she developed a deep love for boating and the ocean. Kelly's adventures include traveling, kiteboarding, teaching e-foil lessons, and learning to wing and dock starts.
With a contagious enthusiasm for life and a love for the ocean, Kelly embodies the spirit of adventure and lives life to the fullest.
Shea is a seasoned e-commerce product listing specialist who divides her time between two worlds. For six months, she's immersed in Los Barriles, Baja - kiteboarding, wingfoiling, hiking and dirt biking.
The other half of the year, Shea works on a ranch training horses and competing in polo tournaments in Colorado. Whether she's detailing the perfect product listing or catching the perfect wind, Shea combines professional expertise with an adventurous spirit that sets her apart.
Team Riders
Hunter grew up on the west coast in Santa Barbara, California. He has been completely addicted to kite foiling since 2018. In 2021-22 Hunter was running the west coast Demo Tour for Airush Kiteboarding. Now a rider for North, he spends his winters training in La Ventana, Mexico.
In addition to being a Green Hat Team rider since 2022, he is competing professionally on the GKA Hydrofoil World Tour.
Ed radiates an infectious stoke for wind and wave sports. From Monmouth County, he fearlessly pursues his passion year-round. As a team rider for Foil Drive, Kaohi leashes, and Green Hat, Ed embodies the spirit of a true waterman.
Through his business, Fast Times Foiling, he not only teaches prone, SUP, and wing foiling but also shares his excitement for these sports. Surfing remains his first love, inspiring him to compete in SUP downwind races in Guadeloupe, Hawaii, and Hood River. Ed embraces each discipline, transforming NJ's beaches into his personal playground.
Chasing perfect wind and waves across the globe, Gabby is a North rider who lives for the endless summer. From the crystal-clear waters of Australia to Portugal's legendary waves, she's carved her path as a true waterwoman, pushing the boundaries in all disciplines.
When she's not flying across the water, you'll find her sharing her infectious love for these sports with fellow riders, embodying the free-spirited lifestyle that comes with following the wind around the world.
