It all began with an allround SUP
Meet the teamIt all began with an allround SUP
It all began with an allround SUP in the early 2010-ies. It was shiny red with some tribal print on it and about 10′ long – as most allround boards are. Also, in common with most allround SUPs, it had a pretty heavy rocker and thruster fin setup.
Because of this board – or thanks to it, Per Vallbo started conceptualising paddle boards in 2014 as he realised that no boards were specifically designed for Northern conditions. Two years and many prototypes later the first board called Yster was released.
Yster is an old Swedish word for “frisky and playful”. The hallmark of Yster is long and narrow boards allowing a smooth ride in otherwise difficult conditions as our boards are created for choppy waters and windy conditions. Speed, straight-line tracking and stability are the three key characteristics of Yster boards which are essential features when it comes to touring, training and racing.
Meet the people behind the brand who manifest touring, training and racing on their Yster boards.
…and, no, we do not make allround boards.
Amanda Bjurström
Amanda, who grew up by the crystal-clear lake Vättern in Sweden, discovered paddle boarding in 2018 and was hooked right away. She enjoys long-distance touring and takes her Yster board to remote places far from the beaten track.
Ananka Pratsch
Ananka is a keen paddle boarder who explores Berlin and the surrounding countryside on her Yster board. She discovered paddle boarding in 2016 and often brings her four-legged companion on her SUP-trips.
Anna Nadolna
Anna is a true pioneer within stand-up paddling. She took up paddle boarding in 2010 and founded Cambridge-based SUPer Whale in 2015. She is also a certified SUP Flat Water Instructor accredited by ISA.
Craig Sawyer
Craig discovered paddle boarding in 2010. He is filmmaker, qualified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionalist and in recent years has discovered a love for ultra-distance endurance racing, where brute power is no good without strategy, fuelling and meticulous planning and preparation! Craig has raced in the UK endurance series, bagging a podium in the 72km Norfolk Broads Ultra. Craig is currently training for the ultimate endurance race, the 2022 Yukon 1000 – a 1000 mile unsupported race into Alaska.
Elias Ehlers
Elias a Danish comedian who found his passion in stand-up paddling a few years ago. As a trained body therapist he especially enjoys the mentally soothing aspect of paddle boarding.
Gregory Francois
Greg grew up in Provence in France and moved to the far north of Sweden in 2011. Since 2017 he lives in the southern part of Sweden where he runs a water sports company. Greg is a true water man who enjoys the water every day everywhere.
Göran Gossa Gustavsson
Göran is an accomplished long-distance paddler who has a passion for ultra-distances races. His goal is not the competition itself, but the experience of nature, the social context, and his own personal challenge. He left his job in finance to fulfill his dream of promoting the importance of daring to take on new challenges, breaking established patterns, and finding new ways.
Louise Stapel
As a PT, Louise has developed her own training concept yogiWOD. She was introduced to Yster in 2017 and takes her SUP on the water all year round. Apart from her fitness studio, “Lollo” runs the Yster SUP Test Center Badhusviken an hour west of Stockholm.
Martin Hunter
Martin grew up along the largest river in Australia and spent a lot of time paddling on the river. The endless hours on the river made him a world class athlete. He has participated in two Olympics as an athlete, and four as a coach. He has won three World Championships medals in kayak K1 and K2 and the Swedish Championship in SUP Sprint. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science.
Maya Sergel
Maya grew up along the Swedish west coast and started off as a kite surfer when she discovered stand-up paddling. She then started racing and became a multiple Swedish SUP Champion in long distance, technical race and sprint. Maya has represented Sweden internationally on the Euro tour as well as the World Championship.
Michael Jacobsen
Living next to the sea, Michael is a true water sports man. When he is not paddling above the water surface, he goes cold water swimming practically every day of the year. Michael is a recognised face at Vedbaek kayak club, 30 mins north of Copenhagen.
Per Vallbo
Per grew up on a peninsula in the quiet archipelago of southern Sweden. There was not much to do there other than water sports and having practiced windsurfing and kayaking, he bought his first SUP in 2011. After a couple of years on an allround board he decided to put his studies in fluid mechanics and Master’s degree in engineering design with polymers into practice and founded Yster SUP.
Skip Innes
Skip Innes has been in and around the water and the great outdoors all of his life and is driven by passion for the outdoors and adventure. Around 10 years ago Skip decided to get out of the rat race and start sharing his passion and knowledge with others and set up “The SHAC” an outdoor adventure company based in the South of England. This brings Skip to where he is today, a proud member of Team Yster set to take on the Yukon 1000.
Stephanie Parke
Stephanie, a.k.a Steph, is a water loving adventurer who jumps in the water as often as possible no matter what time of the year. She has been a professional lifeguard since 2004 and is the national team coach in surf lifesaving. She fell in love with SUP paddling in 2011 when she was brought out on a SUP tour in Sydney harbour at mid-winter sunrise. Now she brings her inflatable SUP in her car together with tent and wildlife gear wherever she goes.
Uffe Gustavsson
Uffe is a bit of a board junkie. He started off with a skateboard and moved on to snowboards and windsurfing. In 2010 he bought his first SUP and today he goes on the water on average four times a week – all year round.
Vincent Lemaire
Vincent is the Normandie-based nature and ocean lover who is passionate about SUP racing – in fact he is addicted to races. When training, his mantra is continuous improvement and he never gets complacent. If there is a race in France, you will meet Vincent for sure.Do you want to join the team?
We are searching for committed paddle boarders with an established social network presence who are seriously into touring, training, or racing in
Finland or Holland
Send your application with your motivation to become a Yster brand ambassador along with links to your social media accounts and your contact details.
