Honoring Ryan Hawks and the Heart of CAST Touring

Giving Tuesday is more than a moment on the calendar—it’s a reminder of where CAST came from and why we do what we do. At the center of our story is Ryan Hawks, a skier, friend, and inspiration whose legacy continues to shape every binding and every decision we make.

Who Was Ryan Hawks?

Ryan was a well-known freeride skier with an unmistakable energy for life in the mountains. His passion for skiing wasn’t just about performance—it was about connection, growth, and living authentically.

In 2011, during a Freeskiing World Tour event in Kirkwood, CA, Ryan passed away after sustaining injuries in competition. His loss was felt deeply across the ski community, and that grief transformed into a powerful mission.

How CAST Got Its Name

The name CAST comes from the collective noun for a group of hawks—a tribute to Ryan. In 2012, when brothers Lars and Silas Chickering-Ayers founded CAST it was formed around a shared vision between them and Ryan:
build bindings that make mountain access safer, easier, and more fun—without compromise.

Today, CAST remains committed to honoring that mission by creating durable, high-performance systems that help skiers reach the places where they feel closest to the mountains and the people who shaped them.

The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation

After Ryan’s passing, his family founded the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to continuing Ryan’s work and values. The foundation supports youth, outdoor athletes, and adventurers through:

• Scholarships & grants

• Values-based decision-making programs

• Community and mountain education initiatives

Ryan’s Principles—centered around passion, integrity, courage, and authenticity—guide all of this work.

Learn more or donate here: flyinryanhawks.org

Why Giving Tuesday Matters to CAST

CAST exists because of Ryan—his energy, his ideas, and the community he helped shape. Giving Tuesday is our chance to amplify his legacy and invite others to do the same.

If CAST has helped you ski more confidently, adventure deeper into the mountains, or feel closer to the people who inspire you, we hope you’ll consider supporting the foundation that helped start it all.

How You Can Contribute

👉 Donate to the Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation:
flyinryanhawks.org

Your support helps the next generation of skiers, mountain-goers, and adventurers live their values with the same passion Ryan embodied.

Thank you for being part of the CAST community—and for helping keep Ryan’s spirit alive in the mountains we all love.