Traditional/Prone Paddleboards

The San O’ series are the traditional, or often called “prone” paddleboards; they are often paddled in a kneeling position, but it requires solid knees and solid balance! These boards are very narrow and fast, but have less propulsion as you’ll be paddling with your hands instead of a paddle. These boards used to be a niche off-shoot of the surf culture, where surfers would race each other for fun when there weren’t good surfing waves. They are increasing in popularity through exposure to a vast new user group as they are now being included in all the major SUP race events. Traditional paddleboards are the ultimate minimalist activity, requiring just a paddler and a board. Because they are not classified as vessels, Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are not required, but might be recommended depending on where you are paddling. These boards created the original partnership between GWP and CLC, when a couple of surfers on the CLC staff were experimenting with boards for themselves; about that time GWP owner Larry Froley contacted CLC owner John Harris with the idea of a paddleboard kit for the general market. With some tweaking of the basic design CLC had created, the partnership refined and finished the first San O’ 16, followed later by a San O’ 14, and ultimately a standard and low profile/volume in each!