Encinitas CA ( January 25, 2011) Boardworks announced today that 17 year old SUP phenom, Slater Trout, has signed on to join the Boardworks Elite Team for 2012.

“We are so stoked to have Slater join our team. He is such an amazing athlete and ambassador for the sport and a great friend of the Boardworks family as well. With the new Slater Trout Infinity SUP models we are introducing for 2012, having Slater on the team makes perfect sense. We look forward to a fantastic year. We are also in the beginning phases of creating a Slater Trout paddle line - stay tuned,” commented Boardworks owner Mike Fox.

"It's a great feeling to be part of the Boardworks family, I'm looking forward to the future. I believe the boards that will be coming out are going to be the next level and raise the bar with their T.E.C (Thermal Epoxy Compression) technology," added Slater. Slater is known within the industry as the future of Stand Up Paddling, a true ambassador and a positive representation of the sport. Anyone that meets Slater quickly realizes that they’re dealing with an utmost professional that takes his craft seriously. This is evidenced by his success:

• 3rd place, SUP Mag SUP Poll Awards “Favorite Male SUP Athlete” 2011

• 1st 2000m & Overall Winner-Sliver Blade Regatta, Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista, Ca 2011

• Chosen as one of the 5 Most Influential Stand up Paddlers for 2010

• 2010 US Champion, 14ft. Elite Class Men’s, Hennessey’s Paddleboard

• 5 time podium finisher at the famous Gerry Lopez, Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle

Originally from Florida, Slater spent his very early years learning to surf on the Gulf Coast. Now living in Maui, Hawaii, Slater has dedicated himself to the waterman lifestyle, SUPing, Surfing, Tow Surfing, Outrigger Canoe, basically anything that will keep him on the water. Slater’s passion lies in Stand Up...”There is something about standing on water that does it for me. The view is different. The fact that you have to use your total body all the time to maintain balance, makes it unique, and most importantly the people. I have met some of the coolest people from all walks of life, young and old, It’s a sport that anyone can gravitate to.”

About Boardworks Surf:
At Boardworks we are passionate about all things to do with the water lifestyle we all embrace. Our goal is to share that passion, to promote respect for the planet, it’s creatures and each other and to make stand up paddle and surfing more fun for more people. Boardworks represents some of the best shapers in the world and bring their premier SUP and Surf models to the global water community manufactured with our proprietary construction technologies. Our SUP brands include Paddle Surf Hawaii, Rusty, Infinity, Badfish, Ohana, Morrelli and Melvin. Our surf brands include Hynson, Von Sol, Aipa, Kane Garden, Dewey Weber, Bruce Jones and more.