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www.tribalpaddle.com

Ian Balding had already been completely immersed in the surfing and ocean lifestyle when he came across stand-up paddle surfing years ago, and it changed his whole perspective. Like so many people since, Ian instantly fell in love with the sport. He saw the endless possibilities that paddleboarding could offer. Not only can paddleboards be surfed, fished, raced competitively, or used for fitness cross training, they can also be used simply as a means of just getting out on the water with friends, and family. The sport offered all of this, and it’s not limited to the coastal regions! The possibilities truly are endless……Ian has also been heavily involved in the racing scene from the beginning. He has spent countless hours analyzing and paddling all of the first generation race boards, and exposing their strengths and weaknesses. These experiences sent Ian back to the design table. He poured all of his first-hand experience from racing into the pot with his hydrodynamic knowledge from years of shaping surfboards, and racing sailboats, then stirred it all up. The outcome was a huge departure from other previous design concepts, and ultimatly Ian’s first generation racing prototypes. Since then he’s spent years tweaking every design feature to end up where he is today with the Epic Race series.Ian’s enthusiasm naturaly ended up in the surf as well. He has blended new rockers, and outlines with time tested performance surfboard features to fine tune every model. Aside from his current models, Ian is constantly designing, and building custom orders for his most discerning clients. Being an avid waterman his whole life, Ian has also developed designs that target other off-shoots of the sport. Boards such as a yoga/pilates specific design, and also fishing specific designs. This is where Ian feels that a custom board designed just for you, and your needs really has it’s advantages. Creativity, thinking outside the box, and having a strong backround in art allow Ian to naturally blend beautiful forms with function in a way that is unmatched in the industry.Ian’s love for the environment that we all play in also makes him extremely picky about the materials that he uses. He is constantly seeking, and working to help develop “greener” materials in all aspects of his board construction, while staying on the cutting edge of performance. With performance, and quality at the forefront, mixed with his fine eye for aesthetics, and craftsmanship, Ian has the tools, and drive to help you….. stand out…. when you stand up!