Custom 7'8" Prone Paddleboard for South High Surf Team Waterwoman of the Year

 

Mark Brog from Soul Performance and I were giving away the custom prone paddleboard we built together. A lot of people showed up, and I finally got to meet Reagan Hansen, the young waterwoman who was receiving the board.

She was absolutely blown away.

Seeing how excited and stoked she was honestly made my day. When she picked up the board, she couldn't believe how lightweight it was—just 11.5 pounds. At 7'8",  it was pretty much the perfect size for her.

Reagan Hansen wasn't just the recipient of the board—she was this year's South High Surf Team Waterwoman of the Year. It was an award she truly earned.

No matter what the ocean was doing, Reagan was out there. If the waves were big, she was surfing. If the waves were small, she was surfing. And when the surf went completely flat, she still found a way to get her time on the water by paddling her longboard around the bay.

She really embodies the passion, consistency, and dedication that define a true waterwoman. It's not about chasing perfect conditions. It's about showing up and finding joy in the ocean no matter what it gives you that day.

Photo By Lindsay Zuelich @Wood_Brain

That's exactly why Mark wanted to do something extra special for her. Rather than just giving an award, he wanted to give her a custom prone paddleboard—a board that would open up an entirely new way to experience the ocean.

Since Mark knew I was heavily involved in prone paddling and had experience shaping boards, the project became a perfect collaboration. Together, we designed and built a board specifically for Reagan. From the beginning, the goal was to create something that wasn't just a trophy to hang on a wall, but a board she could actually use and enjoy for years to come.

Hand Shaping a 7'6” Prone Paddleboard

Meeting her in person and seeing how genuinely excited she was made all the hours of planning, shaping, sanding, and glassing worth it. You could tell she understood what went into the board and appreciated the thought behind it. Watching her pick it up for the first time and seeing her reaction was one of the highlights of my day.

I even gave her parents a copy of my book No Bad Tides Surfing Strategies For Life and my phone number so we could all meet up sometime. Hopefully I'll get the chance to take her out paddling in the harbor soon.

Looking back, June 6th was one of those rare days that had a little bit of everything: a challenging R10 race, a personal best effort, great friends, and the opportunity to help inspire the next generation of paddlers.