Richard Champion DeSaussure Smith was born and raised in Charleston, SC. As a child, he spent the summers on Sullivan’s Island fishing and surfing. During the school year, his family resided downtown in the well-known South of Broad neighborhood. When he was 12, Champ’s parents sold their two properties and purchased a permanent beach home on Sullivan’s Island. Having been raised on and around fishing boats, Champ’s love for waterfront properties developed at an early age. He had the opportunity to be a Mate on a sport fishing boat in St. Thomas when he was just 17 years old, catching close to 50 blue marlin. After attending one year at the Citadel, Champ was fortunate enough to travel for 10 years to destinations including the Azores, Cape Verde Islands, Ivory Coast, Panama, Costa Rica, Australia, Bahamas, and the Caribbean. In 1991, Champ officially moved back to his hometown, where he met the love of his life, Edith. Champ, Edith, and their two children have called Charleston home ever since.

Champ soon became one of Charleston’s first shallow-water fishing guides in 1991. He built a large following of clients, running up to 250 trips per year. In 2005, he was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma and decided to spend more time out of the sun’s harmful rays. Since starting his real estate career shortly after, Champ has been one of the top-producing Charleston realtors year after year. With his background in boating and guiding, he knows every nook and cranny in Charleston’s waterways. With this knowledge, his niche was easily discovered, waterfront properties (many of which can only be reached by boat). He has experience selling properties that are beachfront, in deep water, and even on isolated islands. Champ has served as a board member for the Avian Birds of Prey Center and Operation Home, co-chairman for Cystic Fibrosis Red Trout Fishing Tournament for over 20 years,  and advisory for Fishing For A Mission at St. Andrews Church in Mt. Pleasant.

10 Years ago Champ's wife Edith had the idea of moving to Beaufort when our children were on their own journeys in life and from under our roof. We purchased a lot on St. Helena Island then and now are completing their forever home. He is ready to share the life long experiences that he has learned in the Charleston area to his new town of Beaufort, SC. His dedication to providing his knowledge of the real estate market to his clients wants and needs. This is what has made him a top producer in the Charleston area for the past 20 years.