Professional stand up paddler Slater Trout will join the Sperry Top-Sider team of performance athletes in 2014. Trout will be wearing Sperry's line of high performance footwear and boardshorts on and off his stand-up paddleboard as he travels the globe in search of surf and SUP adventures.
Originally from Florida, Trout spent his youth learning to surf on the Gulf Coast then honed his stand up paddling skills in Hawaii.
"I'm honored and excited to join Team Sperry Top-Sider," says Trout. "Sperry is an iconic brand that is making performance gear that supports and inspires athletes like me throughout the surf and paddling worlds," said Trout. "I can't wait to begin competing in the new boardshorts and wearing the shoes."
Trout is now a regular competitor on the SUP race calendar. His race credentials include six podium finishes at the Battle of the Paddle, third place overall in the Stand Up World Series and the title of "Junior of the Year" by Stand Up Journal in 2010. In 2013, Slater finished second in SUP the Mag's Top 3 Male Paddlers of the Year. Slater started off 2014 on a strong note by winning the Orange Bowl Paddle Championship on January 12 in Miami, FL.
"Slater is a proven athlete, an amazing young man and an enthusiastic brand ambassador with whom we're excited to work," says Craig Reingold, President, Sperry Top-Sider. "His dedication to his sport directly aligns with our Passion for the Sea?and we're excited to support him in his quest to be the world's best stand up paddler."