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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.