We first met Kai Haggin in 2019 on a team trip to Mt. Baker. Kai was 15 years old at the time, and his style and board control showed he had a bright future. Today, his passion for snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing has made him one of the riders to watch in the Northwest. With numerous podium finishes and the freedom to travel, film, and attend industry events, we're excited for what the future holds for him.
Hey Kai! How are you? Did you enjoy your summer?
Hey Jordan, I'm doing great! I had a great summer. I was working in Bend and spending my downtime skating and fly fishing. I recently returned from an amazing surf trip to Indonesia with my dad, brother, and some friends. We spent about 40 days surfing and met a lot of cool people from all over the world.
That's amazing. What was your impression?
Going to Indonesia with my dad was really special. I grew up hearing stories about his trip to Bali, so it was amazing to experience it together. Seeing him so excited about the culture and the waves was a highlight. It was amazing to see the towns and places I'd stayed that I'd grown up hearing about. We surfed together and took turns enjoying the waves. I was so lucky to have him as my tour guide, someone who's well-traveled and knows the culture. I hope to go back someday, and hopefully with him. This trip will stay in my memory forever, and the places will remain special.
Who will tackle the big waves, you or your dad?
My dad is a great surfer, but I'm probably a little more aggressive at the moment, although he still surprises me sometimes.
Skating, surfing, snowboarding. What are your early memories of each?
I started skating around age 5. My mom enrolled me in skate lessons at our local indoor skate park, Truck Stop. I spent hours skating every day, which led to my passion for snowboarding and surfing. Around the same time, I got my first snowboard and loved going to the resort with my family. By age 11, skating every day had me hooked on snowboarding, and every time our family went to the beach, I wanted to surf. My dad has been a surfer my whole life, chasing good waves in Oregon. He taught me how to surf, and it's something we've shared ever since.
How has your long association with board sports influenced your style? Do you borrow anything from each sport?
All three sports are 100% interconnected. A big part of surfing is flow. It's all about reading the wave and seamlessly combining the right moves in the right sections. This flow also translates to snowboarding and skateboarding. Growing up on Mount Bachelor helped me develop the ability to read the terrain and generate speed. In skating, I enjoy transitions and airs. Playing different board sports in different seasons helps me stay in tune all year round.
Speaking of style and Mount Bachelor, who were your idols growing up?
I was inspired by local riders, especially Jared Elston, Ben and Gabe Ferguson, Austin Smith, Curtis Cizek, Dru Braunslig, Josh Dirksen, and Max Warbington. I grew up watching their clips and they had a huge influence on my riding. I'm grateful for all they've done for me.
What's your favorite board right now?
My current favorites are the Lib Tech Rig 159 and TRS 157. The Rig is perfect for powder and freeride; it's playful yet stiff enough to handle any condition. It combines elements of the Dynamo and BRD, and has the characteristics of my previous favorite boards. The TRS is a twin board that performs well in both the park and backcountry booters. I use Bent Metal Transfer bindings, which I love; they have the perfect flex and are very comfortable.
Describe your ideal day.
I woke up early to check out the massive amount of snow that fell the night before. I hiked the cones and enjoyed a powder lap before the mountain opened up. Afterwards, I enjoyed a stormy day riding session with friends on Bachelor. We skied the powder and took cell phone clips of each other on classic side hits. Since it was a weekday, there weren't many people around, the tracks were refilled every time, and everyone was excited. I rode until 1 or 2 pm, then went to the snow park and enjoyed a session on the kicker I'd prepared the day before. I enjoyed it until sunset, then went home to eat my mom's home-cooked meal with my family.
Talk about last season. What was your day filming with Pete Alport?
A shoot day with Pete starts with an early rise. We wake up usually at 5am or earlier and meet at the snow park while it's still dark, warming up our sleds and getting ready. Around sunrise, we strap on our splitboards and set off on a tour, discussing what we'll shoot. Once we arrive at the location, we start building the jump, like a boot camp. I cut the blocks, and Pete places them to shape the jump. Once the jump is complete, we discuss tricks and angles and get ready for the session. Once we hit it and land it, we move on. We shoot 3-5 tricks a day. We return to the snow park in the evening, satisfied with the results.
Any other highlights from last season?
I had the opportunity to go on some amazing trips later in the season. I went to the Idaho backcountry with Curtis and Austin and to Baldface for Estelle Pensiero's Low Maintenance event. I also closed out the season in the spring by participating in Holy Bowly with Mervin. In Idaho, I tackled one of the biggest cliffs of my life. It was a cliff that had caught my eye from the moment I first saw it, and although I missed the landing on my first try, I made it on my second and got a satisfying clip. My week at Baldface was a highlight, as I got to spend time with some amazing people.
How was your last trip to Holy Bowly?
Holy Bowly was amazing. We drove from Bend and met up with the Mervin team halfway through Idaho. We made a jump at Schweitzer and then caravanned to Banff. Unlike last time, this was my first time staying at the Mervin house, and everyone was so welcoming. My time at the house is one of my best memories from the trip. The friendships I made with my new friends led to an amazing week of boarding. I broke my wrist on the last day, which ended my season, but I'm looking forward to the next Holy Bowly.
What are your goals this season?
I want to ride and film as much as I can, do some trips, go to Baker, and have some videos coming out next fall.
Do you have any words of thanks?
Absolutely. First of all, I'd like to thank my parents for supporting me from the beginning. Then I'd like to thank my brother Ryder for always being there for me. I'd also like to thank Ryan Davis for treating me like family, and Pete for taking me on shoots in the backcountry.
Cinematography and videography: Pete Alport
