Who we are
Mark Winslow is the Founder and Senior Research and Development Engineer. He has degrees in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture from Maine Maritime Academy. While going to sea and traveling the world as a merchant marine for 15 years, he toted along a surfboard and checked out whatever breaks he could. In his 20’s, while living in San Diego, he made his vacation time at home about surfing the West Coast and Baja. Ever the wanderer, he decided windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge was the next sport to tackle. It started becoming apparent that a move to Maui was inevitable….and in 2006 it was time. He had his new best friend in tow, and wanted to show her the beauty of the Ohana that was all about the surfing and windsurfing. When Brenda saw her first SUP cruising outside Hookipa on a downwind run, she wanted to try it, and he was willing to do whatever necessary to keep her happy on Maui. Once the first boards were ordered from Jeff Timpone and were ready, he was hooked! All winter, charging double-overhead waves…
Brenda with her first SUP
Dr. Brenda Smith fills the administrative and novice testing roles at Neptune Paddles. She is new to ocean sports, but has quickly developed a strong water sense and has come a long way in her surfing abilities, and loves the ocean and all its wonders. After meeting Mark and being (easily) convinced to move to Maui, she started learning to longboard and paddle outrigger canoes. As soon as she saw someone on a SUP, she knew that was going to be her thing. Now, paddling into small waves or down-the-coast trips or wildlife watching on her SUP, it is all she wants to do on her days off!