Kite business launches shop for extreme ground sports

Air Company, a full-service kite shop serving the local kiteboarding and sport kiting scene, has spread its wings, launching a new shop called Earth devoted to extreme ground sports.

The basic thinking behind the expansion: "When there is no air to catch, you can always ride the Earth," said Adam Von Ins, the founder of both companies, in a statement.

From skateboards to longboards, ground boards, mountain boards, Freebords and Flexdex, Earth carries anything and everything you can skate, kick or plant.

As with Air, which specializes in kitesurfing, kiteboarding, stunt kiting, buggying, kite flying and kite repair, Earth is an eco-friendly venture.

"Our goal is to promote low environmental impact, green extreme sports," Von Ins said.

At the same time, Air and Earth promote health and well-being, allowing participants to exercise by interacting with natural elements instead of exhausting them.

To accommodate the expansion, Air and Earth will begin operating Wednesday under one two-story roof in The Shoppes at Seaside Farms in Mount Pleasant.

Taking the helm

Ashley Yacht Sales, operating in Charleston for more than 23 years, changed ownership earlier this month.

The retailer was bought by five of its brokers and will continue operations under the name Ashley Yachts LLC at the Marina Building, 3 Lockwood Drive on the Charleston peninsula.

The new owners are Bruce Smith, Edward James, Bill Welch, Carlton Poulnot and Greg Williamson.

Ed Norton will continue to be a broker with the firm, making Ashley Yachts one of the largest yacht brokerage firms in South Carolina measured by staff size and sales volume. Ashley Yachts handles power and sailing vessels with sales throughout the world.

Casting online

With the casting of the The Charleston Angler's e-commerce store at thecharlestonangler.com in late April, Shimano and Daiwa rods and reels, G. Loomis, Sage, Winston and Orvis fly rods, flies, hard and soft plastic lures, terminal tackle and even Guy Harvey T-shirts are just a click away. The company's T-shirts, hats, visors and Tervis Tumblers sporting the redfish logo also are available online. The Charleston Angler owns two brick-and-mortar stores at 654 St. Andrews Blvd., West Ashley, and 1795 S.C. Highway 17 North, Mount Pleasant.

Reach Abi Nicholas at anicholas@postandcourier.com.