Oahu’s young princess of SUP, Vanina Walsh, has just signed with the Starboard International team. Even though she’s only 15-years-old, Vanina has long been a familiar face in the SUP and surfing world and this new deal will no doubt widen her exposure even further.

While she’s probably best known for surfing, Vanina gained plenty of SUP race experience at the big events this year; progressing to the Final 10 at the Waikiki Paddle Fest Survivor Race, making the final of the Elite Race at the BOP and taking 3rd in the Sprints at the SUP World Series Finals @ Turtle Bay.

Vanina is young, enthusiastic and very marketable, so I’m kinda surprised nobody signed her before this. She’s not winning SUP races yet, but she probably will in a couple of years. And even if she doesn’t, that long blonde hair will no doubt help sell plenty of boards.

So congrats to Vanina and to Starboard for adding another young star to their ever expanding team.