Our Story
We’ve paddled lakes, rivers and oceans, gone on multi-day and week-long adventures and during this time watched how other brands have been doing things within the industry. One thing became very clear - there needed to be a wholehearted change at the brand level as the industry itself didn't reflect the passion or the lifestyle it's paddlers carry. In 2017 we launched Sea Lion and have been tirelessly developing and innovating our paddle boards, paddles and accessories. We didn’t want to just produce high quality products designed for paddlers by paddlers, but also design and create the most sustainable paddle products on the planet that reflect this passion and love of the water environment. We shall always push to be the most innovating SUP brand and at no point will sustainability or quality be compromised at any level of the Sea Lion business.
Our Mission And Vision
Sea Lion Boards is focused on building a community of like-minded paddlers and adventurers, that together through our collective efforts can instil a sense of responsibility within the SUP community to protect the very environment we play within. We inspire adventure on water.
Why Sea Lion
We at Sea Lion Boards don’t just love to paddle, we love the places we paddle. At the very heart of this brand lies a deep connection to these waterways and through our partnership with 1% for the Planet we are committed to donating a minimum of 1% to help organisations keep our oceans clean of plastic for all to enjoy. We are creating a Tribe of paddlers who like us want to adventure on water and protect the places we paddle.
Meet the tribe...
WilliamFounder/Head of Business Stuff
Fell in love with SUP after 2 decades of rugby became too much for his body. Years of egg chasing and shoulder injuries, SUP was the perfect rehab sport with a little less contact and tackling. Sea Lion has grown from his passion for sustainability and design.
Favourite beer: Whitstable Bay
Favourite colour: Green
City of birth: Hong Kong (No joke)
Favourite movie: Love Actually
Favourite artist/band: Genesis
Favourite album: E.L.O - All Over The World
Favourite song: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
ZakCo-Founder/Head of Creative Stuff
I got into SUP after a ligament injury from football. It was perfect for my recovery and it's the best excuse to get out of London and visit sunny Devon. Looking forward to many more adventures with our growing Sea Lion family up and down the country!
Favourite beer: Camden Pale Ale
Favourite colour: Blue
City of birth: London
Favourite movie: Back To The Future
Favourite artist/band: Gorillaz
Favourite album: The Prodigy - The Fat Of The Land
Favourite song: Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days
HoraceTreasurer
Horace (m)
Species: New Zealand Sea Lion (rāpoka/whakahao)
Fun Fact: Has a full-time career as a professional model after appearing on the front cover of this year's NZSLT calendar!
On top of that - Horace was the main inspiration behind the Sea Lion logo (as you can tell)
Birth Place: Mystery location that only mum Huru knows
Tag #: 10002
Mum: Huru
And our tribe riders...
- Lizzie James
From: Hampshire
Fave Band: Bastille
Fave Beverage: Rattler Cyder
Why I Love SUP: SUP is such a versatile sport so it can be whatever you want it to be; a leisurely catch up with friends, a surf sesh, a mulitday tour along the coast or it can just be time to yourself to recharge & soak up all the benefits being on the water has to offer. No two paddles are ever the same & I just love that!
- Simone Charles
From: North Devon
Fave music artist: Luke Combs
Fave SUP location: Broadsands, North Devon
Fave Beverage: Pornstar Martini
Why I love SUP:
I love being able to explore areas of the coastline that you just simply wouldn’t be able to explore on foot. All the secret coves and beaches, and the wildlife you get to see aswell! It brings calm to my day and nothing can ever beat a good summer sunset paddle on the ocean
- Gemma Kemp and Ian Last
From: East Anglia
Why We Love SUP: Why We Love SUP: We both love being by the water, in the water, under the water and on the water. Paddleboarding allows us to be on the ocean and inland water ways and appreciate the watery world from a new perspective. As podcasters we promote marine conservation and protection and also encourage people to consider taking up an activity whether its stand up paddleboarding, scuba, snorkelling or swimming. Being on the water brings people closer to the importance of taking care of our environment and opens up new ways to have adventures in the outdoors. Also just being out on the water is great for wellbeing both physically and mentally and Stand Up Paddleboarding always brings out the smiles.
- Linn van der Zanden
Living on the West Coast of Scotland, I have always felt at home on the ocean, from sailing across the North Sea on tall ships to wild swimming. These days I have really fallen in love with the lifestyle of Paddleboarding as it allows me to get on the water most days and explore the coast. I love combining Microadventures like SUP touring, hiking and camping to connect with nature in Scotland.
As a Surfers Against Sewage Rep I’m passionate about combining adventure with ocean conservation and beach cleaning, and care deeply about educating the next generation on the value of our oceans.
With Sea Lion leading the way in sustainability, I am very proud to be part of a tribe which puts the planet at the forefront of everything they do!
- Sarah Clayton
From: Cardiff, South Wales
Fave band: Spice Girls
Fave SUP location: Jackson's Bay
Fave beverage: G&T
Why I love SUP:
I enjoy being outdoors and exploring beautiful locations by water. It brings calm to my hectic and busy work week. And I love that SUP can give me a full body workout without even feeling like it!
- Sam Gawthorp
Location: Southend On Sea, Essex
Why I love SUP: The benefits of SUP are endless for me. Both physical and mental health have improved massively since taking it up. The SUP community that I have found since starting is both welcoming and embracing, with everyone supporting each other. Also the locations and places it has taken me to have been amazing, allowing me to see some truly spectacular and beautiful places, both on and off the water.
Fav SUP Location: Has to be the Philippines for me, specifically the Island of Palawan and the smaller islands located off the town of EL Nido. A remarkable location for SUP with so many spots to explore.
- David Mellor
Location: North Wales
Why I love SUP: sometimes it’s for solo river escapism, other times it’s exploring coastal coves, but what I love most of all are dawn till dusk lake days with the kids and dog onboard working on their cannonballs and dives while we work on our tans.
Fave SUP Location: Ynys Llanddwyn
Fave band: Arcade Fire
Fave beverage: A tropical fruity craft IPA
- Sophie Morton
From: Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Fave Band: 2 Door Cinema Club
Fave SUP location: Frafjord, Norway
Fave beverage: An appalls in the sun
Why I love paddling: I love how every time I go paddling it’s a new experience and adventure, there is no constant. Whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring, I can switch off and find a little peace
- Jo Whitling
Location: Sunny Bexhill-on-Sea
Fave Band: Etherwood
Fave drink: Prosecco
Why I love SUP: Freedom, outdoors, nature, peacefulness, calm, endorphins mindfulness. Just everything about it
Fave SUP location : Cooden beach on a hot summers evening with millpond calm waters and our local seal friends popping up to say hello
- Martin Francis
As a cold-water enthusiast, come rain or shine I’ll be on the water looking for surf or an adventure. For me there is no feeling that comes close to loading up the van and heading to the beach.
A regional rep for Surfers Against Sewage here in the South East of England the ethos Sea Lion Boards has towards their brand and the products they are innovating feels like a perfect fit.
- Natalie Bird
Hampshire based.
Why I love SUP: Besides the fact its tones up your whole body much better than any gym! The sense of calm I get from it outweighs every thing. When I am on the board I don't have a single care in the world. An extra bonus would be all the amazing people I get meet on my journey!
Fav SUP Location: River Wey
Fav Band: The Eagles
Fav Beverage: Red wine winter/Cider Summer
- Jenny Clark
I believe in the healing, calming power of being outside. I love being in, on or by the sea, yoga, coffee outside, campfires and planning yoga, paddleboarding and adventure retreats for The Wild Times, my retreats business. I am a qualified BSUPA paddle board instructor, Level 2 SUPTA paddle board yoga teacher and Vinyasa & Yin yoga teacher. You can usually find me teaching SUP yoga and paddleboarding on our Wild Times retreats around the UK and abroad or out paddleboarding and having picnics with friends on the South Coast of England or in London!
- Sam Pyne
I spent a lot of my childhood swimming at Exmouth beach, which is where I found my love with the ocean. You may see me flying down the ski slope or free diving along the south west coast. I don’t let my deafness stop me from achieving big things such as skiing in the USA, cycling the Norwegian fjords or climbing all 14 peaks at Snowdonia mountains in 2 days. Love a challenge!
- Jayne Rigby
Ever since I can remember I’ve had a love for the environment, particularly the ocean. As a kid, you’d always find me in a rock Pool and as I grew up, I decided to study Ocean Sciences & Conservation at Uni. I’ve volunteered for conservation charities & organisations for over 16 years, whether it be campaigning, beach cleans, petitions and shore searches & I’m the regional rep here in Liverpool for Surfers Against Sewage 🤙🏼
I’ve been paddling for over 4 years & now I get to teach what I love through Liverpool SUP Co where I also have the pleasure of carrying out surveys, practicing marine conservation & being a voice for the sea! I’m honoured to be part of the Sea Lion tribe 🤙🏼
