For 2026, Starboard proudly presents one of the biggest and most diverse Dream Teams ever — featuring top riders from all around the world.
These athletes represent excellence across SUP disciplines: from sprint and flatwater racing to ultra-long expeditions, wave riding and adventure paddling. Linked by their dedication to time on the water, they continue to push boundaries and inspire paddlers everywhere to improve, explore and enjoy every moment on the water.
Starboard introduced its first SUP racing board shapes in 2008, and at the same time began working closely with its first team riders. Many of those early athletes went on to become multiple-time world champions and remain part of the Starboard family today - a story of long-term commitment that makes us truly proud.
Today, the Starboard SUP Dream Team is multi-national and multi-generational, ranging from young emerging talents to Masters athletes who continue to push the limits of age and performance. They prove that paddle sports don’t make you older -they keep you young. The team continues to grow each year, discovering new talent and supporting the next generation of paddlers around the world.
A New Season, New Goals
Every new season starts with purpose. For 2026, the Starboard SUP Dream Team enters the year with fresh motivation, clear goals and a shared drive to keep pushing forward. From world championship ambitions and performance development to exploration, coaching and personal growth, each rider brings their own focus to the season ahead.
United by a passion for paddling and shaped by real-world experience on the water, these athletes don’t just race, surf or explore - they help define what the sport becomes next. Here’s what drives the Starboard SUP Dream Team in 2026.
Michael Booth
For 2026, I’m aiming to race with intent, choosing events where I can prepare properly and perform at a high level. Alongside that, a big focus is continuing to coach, mentor, and inspire young paddlers.
Connor Baxter
My goal in 2026 is to live the Tiki Life, inspire the next generation to have fun and never give up, and potentially return from retirement to compete for a world title.
Tatsuma Nishikawa
I’m honoured to be on the Dream Team. In 2026, my goal is to win three gold medals in U18 sprint, technical and distance racing.
Cameron Tripney
In 2026, I want to keep growing as an athlete, on and off the water, while inspiring others and sharing the stoke under the Starboard name.
Camille Dubrana
I’m looking forward to new adventures around the world with the Dream Team, sharing strong moments at SUP Surf events and continuing to grow together.
Benoit Carpentier
In 2026, I want to keep pushing my limits in the waves, bring trophies home, and continue developing my dream boards with the Starboard R&D team.
Bruce Kirkby
In 2026, my goal is to complete a ten-year project: paddling the entire west coast of Canada by SUP.
Tim Oliver
I’m super excited about the launch of the new All Star. After finishing 2025 as the world’s number one ultra-distance paddler, my goal is to race a mix of distance and ultra-distance events while finding top-end speed again.
Larry Cain
I’m looking forward to an exciting year on the water in the 2026 season. As an athlete, I’m excited to continue to push the envelope of what a human being in their 60s can do in sport. I’m working hard, doing all the training required to do that and am hoping to demonstrate what’s possible at the ICF World Championships in Sicily in October.
As a coach, I’m looking forward to continuing to help athletes of all levels pursue their goals in events from the local level to the world championships, including some of our Dream Team members. Happy to be doing it all with Starboard! The best there is on the water!
Andrey Kraytor
My mission through paddling is to keep sharing, inspiring, and motivating people of any age, whether it’s racing or surfing the waves, coaching, or still enjoying competitions and challenges as an athlete. Being part of the Starboard team is the best environment for this mission, which are not just about sport and performance, but an entire sustainable lifestyle.
Marc Foraster
My goal for 2026 is to keep improving, enjoy this sport, and win gold at the ICF World Championships in Italy.
Alba Frey
A new season with the Dream Team is always exciting. My goal is to keep living the Tiki Life, spend countless hours on the water, compete at the highest level, and stay motivated to achieve all my goals.
Aaron Sanchez
This year is off to a great start, and I am looking forward to another year alongside this great team. Personally, this season I will once again enjoy this sport, the sea and everything it brings to my daily life, and I will achieve my goals simply by enjoying the process. I will also try to convey the values and lifestyle to the people who enjoy this sport as much as I do.
Shuri Araki
My goal for 2026 is to become ICF & ISA Unified World Champion again. I also want to share how my father and coach and I have developed our paddling skills and technique, especially to inspire young and motivated junior paddlers around the world.
Cecilia Pampinella
For this 2026 season, I will give it my all to achieve my goals! I want to spend this year on the waves, learning more and more and doing my best during training.
I would like to have many adventures and new experiences.
I have a clear vision of my goals, and I will work hard to achieve them.
I'm proud to be part of the best team in the world again this year, which will accompany me throughout my sporting season.
Sujeong Lim
It is a true honor to be part of the Starboard Dream Team.
Joining the Dream Team felt like a dream throughout my SUP journey, and now that it has become a reality, I am more determined than ever to continue pushing my limits. In the 2026 season, I will keep challenging myself without setting boundaries, and I hope that my journey can inspire others to make new choices with courage.
Fernando Perez
It is a pleasure to be part of this incredible family, this year I plan to give 100% in my career and for this family and especially, I hope that this year is full of races and fun moments at the water.
Esperanza Barreras
I am lucky to be able to continue sharing races, experiences and strokes with the team. 2026 arrives full of energy to be able to continue growing as an athlete and share SUP throughout the oceans.
Ke’ale Dorries
My focus is growth — mentally, physically and on the water — pushing my limits and making the 2026 season full of progression and adventure.
