Brian Szymanski
Co-Owner shaper designer for North County Paddleboards
Raised in Cardiff by the Sea, he has been a fixture in the local lineup since the 80’s. An accomplished surfboard shaper, designer and manufacturer, he has worked with the leaders in the industry for more than 20 years. This has led him to refine production techniques that result in quality above the norm. A high performance short board and big wave surfer turned paddleboard shaper and racer, Brian enjoys the challenges of designing paddleboards for all conditions. With two “Catalina Classic” stock division victories and multiple first place finishes racing his own designs, Brian’s shapes are proven winners. In the past four years Brian has made an impact on the paddleboard industry by pushing the expectations of the stock class paddleboards in speed, stability, comfort and quality of construction.
Matt Friedman
Co-Owner and Adventure Coordinator for North County Paddleboards
Raised at the coast in Southern California Matt grew up around the ocean. At an early age he started swimming and participating in the Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguard Program. As a teenager living in Newport Beach surfing became his sport of choice. Throughout this period a wanderlust spirit was instilled and fostered by his parents love for travel, the outdoors and camping, (to include a 15 month jaunt through Europe in 1975 where Matt was transformed into a devout nudist). Matt applied his love of the ocean, fitness, and travel to his professional life when he became a Navy SEAL.
11years later he entered the civilian world and was introduced to paddle boarding by his good friends Darrell Swensen and Victor Lopez. Matt was immediately attracted to the physical aspects of the sport and soon found out that there was real camaraderie amongst all paddlers up and down the California coast. It is this team atmosphere that still drives Matt to train, race, adventure paddle, and continue exploring all the possibilities that paddle boarding has to offer.
With the ever growing NCP Crew Matt looks forward to many more years of board development, team races and destination paddleboard travel.