York County native plans to go big at pro wakeboard competition

One of Tega Cay’s native sons is coming home — almost.

The Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour Presented by ZF Marine, the largest and longest-running professional wakeboard and wakesurf circuit in the industry, comes to Lake Norman in North Carolina on June 18, bringing pro rider Austin Hair as close to home on Lake Wylie as a wakeboarder can be without getting his feet wet.

It also means more fans for Hair, 28, who moved to Orlando, Fla., a decade ago after learning his trade on Wylie.

“Tega Cay is still home to me,” Hair said. “It’ll always be home.”

The 2016 pro tour has stops in Texas, Washington, Indiana and Canada. Hair competes in other events worldwide including Brazil, Japan, Korea and, most recently, Portugal. Unfortunately for Hair this weekend, there is no such thing as home field advantage in wakeboarding.

If anything, there may be “home boat advantage,” he said.

“It’s really just based on saltwater and freshwater, and what boat you’re behind,” Hair said.

Seeing Hair wakeboard on Lake Wylie was common before he turned pro.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to be a pro wakeboarder,” he said. “We had access to the water.”

Now his repertoire includes multiple 900s, flip 540s and other tricks on the pro series.

“I’m riding better than I ever have,” Hair said. “It helps the wakes get bigger every year.”

Wakeboarding is a relatively new sport so when the “prime” years are for athletes, Hair said, isn’t certain. The average age of the top six wakeboarders in his series is less than 21 years. Hair ranks No. 15.

“I won’t ever say I’m past my prime,” Hair said. “I’m still climbing. The goal is just to go big.”

Hundreds are expected on the Lake Norman shoreline, with the event allowing fans two watch from boats. Competition begins at 10:15 a.m. with awards at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 there. For more, visit supraboatspwt.com.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 10:58 AM with the headline "York County native plans to go big at pro wakeboard competition."