Soryn Preston: Turning the Page from SoCal Grom to SIC Maui Global SUP Contender

When we last spoke with the SIC Maui‘s Team Rider, Soryn Preston, she was a 13-year-old grom full of promise and with over 100 races already under her belt! Now, she’s become one of those rare sports phenoms who never slowed down, pushing harder than ever to chase her dreams, claiming most recently the Bronze Junior Tech Championship Title at the 2024 ISA World SUP Championships in Copenhagen.

TotalSUP caught up with the Southern California athlete, who excels in all water conditions, while en route to the ICF Worlds – a competition she considers the biggest event of her professional SUP career to date.

Photo source: 2024 ISA World SUP Championships

Hello Soryn! You’ve been paddling from a very young age. What inspired you to pick up a paddle and dive into SUP, and how did your journey evolve from those early days?

I am so excited to be interviewed by Total SUP. I have been surrounded by the SoCal stand-up paddling and surf culture since I can remember. Going fast while sitting on the front of my dad’s stand-up paddleboard was one of my favourite things to do when I was small.

I was inspired by the early morning crisp salty ocean air, the way the blade entered the water and the sound that it made, and the whoosh of board as it went across the water. As the years went by, I started to paddle him around the bay. Soon I could paddle myself around without needing someone else.

I asked for my first race board for my 7th birthday. This became our favourite thing to do, chase him around the ocean. I’ve been doing it ever since! My father and I travelled up and down the coast of California racing in the local events.

How do you balance school, training, and competing at such a high level? What does a typical day look like for you in Long Beach when it comes to training, and do you have any favourite spots to paddle or surf?

Balancing school and training is difficult. Creating a routine and schedule and sticking to it is the only way to have some sort of balance. I have a full team behind me to keep me on my path. My family, coach/mentor, and sponsors, are very supportive in my career and helps keep me going, so I can still enjoy my teenage years.

When I can get on the water I make sure to use all the time to my advantage. I am trained by Mike Eisert of The Paddle Academy. During the week he sends me a workout to train when I am by myself. I train solo before or after school depending on my daily schedule and weekends we train in person. If we aren’t paddling then we surf. It’s great to go to my favourite places, like San Onofre, Churches or Doheny State Beach.

You’re riding for SIC Maui, an iconic brand in the SUP world. How did your partnership with SIC Maui come about, and what does it mean to you to represent them as such a young rider?

Representing SIC Maui has been nothing but amazing! They are truly the prime example of Ohana with people from all parts of the world. I had hung out with the SIC team as an unofficial member at the 2021 Gorge Paddle Challenge when I was 12. After some great talks with the team, I signed later in 2022!

It was a really big moment for me signing a contract at such a young age with a big brand. The Youth Development Team is a lot of fun and gives me the opportunity to meet many others my age. This has allowed me travel to parts of the world I never thought I would. Being able to represent SIC is such an honour and is a relationship I really value.

Photo by James Kao

What’s your go-to gear from SIC Maui when it comes to racing? Is there a particular board or piece of equipment that’s been a game-changer for you on the water?

My go to gear from SIC Maui is the new RST 14’ x 21” LV. I am able to use this board in wind, chop, waves, downwinding, flatwater, and more. This board has been a game changer for me leading up to the ISA’s and now the ICF’s.

I love the style of dugout on this board and the stability of the tail in turns which is great for tech racing. Also, something that has been a game changer is shortening my Quick Blade UV 77 paddle to be the perfect fit for sprinting. It is super fun to play with different blade sizes, models and length of shaft to find what works for me.

Do you also SUP surf when you’re not racing? If so, what SIC Maui gear do you rely on for SUP surfing, and how does it help you perform at your best?

I absolutely love SUP surfing with my friends and family. My go to SUP surf board from SIC Maui is the 7’4” Slice. This board has super stable rails and is a great intermediate board. I prefer the quad setup with this model because it flows really nicely and is great for turns.

In addition to SUP surfing, I have been loving to longboard on my SIC Maui 9’6” Smuggler. It’s an amazing board for cruising and cross-stepping.

Photo by James Kao

Congratulations on your fantastic results at the 2024 ISA World Championships, where you placed 3rd in the Junior Tech Race and Team USA also took 3rd overall. How was the experience competing at such a high level, and what did it mean to you to be part of Team USA?

Representing the USA for the third year has truly been an honour and it is always a blast to head to different countries with some of my favourite people. We had great team full of amazing athletes with passion, skill and experience. It is such a fun experience to compete with a group of people that love the same thing I do. I am really stoked to get third place in the ISA Junior Tech Race as flat water racing is not my specialty. Doing my best to train and get better is always my goal no matter the result.

Photo source: 2024 ISA World SUP Championships

We’ve seen some of your Instagram posts hinting at modelling. Is that something you’ve recently started, and how has it fit into your life alongside racing?

I’ve always really loved the idea of being able to model. Recently I have had an opportunity to get in front of a camera to collaborate with a new brand, Maie Cosmetics. Maie Cosmetics is a high-quality, clean, and minimalistic cosmetic company. We have taken some photos of my favourite products and utilize them for promotion.

This relationship has gifted me the ability to partner with a local and women owned brand to engage with the community and learn from like minded business relationships.

Photo source: Maie

Who are some of the athletes that inspire you in the SUP world?

I am inspired by my Coach Mike Eisert. He is an endless bank of knowledge, experience, and support to me on and off the water. His passion for the sport is inspiring and gives me something to look forward to. When we first started to train I was 10 and he helped me become the athlete I am today.

Mike was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. His drive to keep getting up, while he was sick, no matter how bad he felt and paddling with me was motivation for us both. Now that he is better, we are surfing and training every weekend together.

Another athlete I am inspired by is Candice Appleby. I have always been in awe of how fast and quick she is with such consistent technique. I’m always racking her brain for knowledge as she has competed around the world in every style of race imaginable. I am so honoured to be able to race alongside of her in local SoCal events to test my speed and watch an amazing athlete in action.

And looking ahead, do you have any big goals for the rest of 2024 and beyond, including racing at the ICF SUP Worlds in Sarasota, Florida?

My biggest goal for the rest of 2024 is to do my best in the Junior Category for Sprint, Technical and Long Distance racing at the ICF World SUP Championships in Sarasota, Florida. I have been training on the water and in the gym in preparation for this event.

This will be one of the biggest races of my career. Other goals beyond SUP is becoming better in Outrigger Canoe. Off-season is a great time to cross train on my Puakea Cantare Pro. I want to flourish in the local races in both SUP and OC disciplines and to earn new personal records.

Photo source: 2024 ISA World SUP Championships

Thank you for your time and insights Soryn – See you in Sarasota!

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