From Marine to YouTuber: Steve Houser’s SUP Life with Niphean Paddleboards

Steve Houser is a Jersey Shore (New Jersey, USA) native with saltwater in his veins — a lifelong waterman shaped by years of sailing, skateboarding, surfing, and, since 2013, paddleboarding. A Marine Corps veteran and high school history teacher, Steve brings discipline, heart, and humor to everything he does. His passion for SUP began after a deployment to Morocco and quickly turned into a daily ritual, whether he’s surfing big swells or gliding across glassy bays. Through his fast-growing YouTube channel, he shares board reviews, tips, and stoke with thousands of paddlers worldwide. Behind the camera, he’s a father of three and a devoted husband who squeezes in sessions between parenting duties and winter storms. As an ambassador for Niphean Paddle Boards, Steve combines gear knowledge with real-world testing — always with a board nearby and the same goal in mind: to stay stoked and keep sharing the ride.

Hello Stephen, can you please introduce yourself to the TotalSUP community?

Hey, I’m Steve Houser — husband, dad, YouTuber, waterman, teacher, and Marine Corps veteran. I grew up at the beach, or as we like to call it, the “Jersey Shore,” in Island Heights, New Jersey. I started sailing when I was 7 and spent almost every day at the beach once sailing school was done. I’ve basically always been in the water.

I got into paddle boarding in 2013 after a military deployment to Morocco. While on leave, some of my Marines and I rented surfboards for the day and had a blast. When I got home, I bought my first surfboard, then quickly added a paddle board to the mix. I grew up skateboarding, so surfing and paddling felt pretty natural.

I totally fell in love with paddle boarding. Like skateboarding, you can do it anywhere, and you don’t need perfect conditions. No waves? Hit the lake or bay and just go explore. If the surf is pumping, great — go catch waves. And unlike surfing, you’re already standing, which means you can get into waves earlier and ride longer. I was catching way more waves on my SUP than a traditional surfboard, and I loved the versatility.

I served 8 years in the Marine Corps and earned two degrees from West Chester University. These days, I teach high school history, but I still get after it every single day — whether it’s surfing, skating, or paddling. I always try to stay positive and spread the stoke.

When did you launch your YouTube channel and can you share your YouTuber life and stats with us?

I started filming videos back in 1999 when I was 12. This was before YouTube even existed — dial-up internet days! My friends and I would record skate tricks on a VHS camcorder, collect footage over a year, then edit it into little movies. We’d make copies, pass them out, and even hold watch parties. It was super fun, and our local skate crew started gaining some recognition.

When YouTube came around, we jumped on it and launched a channel. We worked hard on it for years, but eventually, we all got older and my crew split up.

After that, I took a break from YouTube until I met pro surfer Ben Gravy at a contest in 2021. I liked his energy and message, and it inspired me to give YouTube another shot. I made myself a deal: go all in for 3 years, and if I didn’t hit my goal of monetizing, I’d call it quits for good.

At first, I started vlogging my surf, skate, and paddle adventures — but traffic was slow. Once I began doing gear reviews, things really took off. In less than two years, the channel was monetized. Board reviews have become the bread and butter of my content. Partnering with Niphean Paddle Boards opened up a whole new world for me and helped the channel grow even more. I get about 15,000 views a day and my goal is to reach 10k subscribers by the end of the summer! Hopefully I can pull it off!

The best part about YouTube? Connecting with other people. Whether it’s someone coming up to me on the beach saying, “Hey, I watch your channel!” or just helping someone pick the right board — it’s all been super rewarding. YouTube can be tough, and yeah, you deal with hate sometimes, but those positive moments keep me going. I guess I never really grew up — I’m still on a board and still filming. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your history with surf, skate, and other watersports — and how much space does SUP take in your life?

I started skateboarding in 1999 after my brother brought home Tony Hawk Pro Skater. The next day, I bought a board and was hooked. For about four years, it was my whole life, until high school came along and then the military. Even when I’d take breaks, I always came back to skating. In 2019, my town built a brand-new skatepark, and I got hooked all over again. It’s more flow and transition now than street skating, and it reminds me a lot of surfing. I skate several times a week, especially when the waves are flat.

I got into surfing in 2011 during my deployment in Morocco. Once I got home and bought a board, I never looked back. Unlike skating, I never really took breaks from surfing — that’s when I knew I was truly in love with it.

I started paddle boarding in 2013 when a buddy brought his board to the lake. I had to try it. Once I did, I was hooked. The fact that I could surf and also paddle on flat water blew my mind. I bought my own board the next weekend. My wave count tripled compared to surfing, and I loved that I could explore anywhere — the bay, lakes, wherever. A glassy morning on the water? That’s my favorite.

When the warmer months hit, SUP becomes my main focus. Whether it’s a surf session or a calm cruise, I’m out there every day.

I don’t let the cold winters hold me back either. Living here in New Jersey we can see 100 degree temperature changes. I’ve surfed in -12 degrees (-24 C) before and  I knew I had to get out of the water because my eyelids were freezing shut. Last week we had a steady heat wave and it was about 108 degrees (42 C) here.

Where do you usually paddle and what are your favorite SUP spots (local or worldwide)?

I always have a board with me, either strapped to the roof of my car or an inflatable in the trunk. New Jersey is seriously a paddler’s paradise. We’ve got the ocean, the bay, many lakes, and rivers — even historical paddle spots like the real-life 1916 “Jaws” attack site. Some creeks require hiking in and paddling back out — perfect for inflatables.

Most of the time I stay local (three young kids at home, makes travel tricky), but I’ve had some epic paddle adventures. From the hidden lakes of Maine to gator-filled lagoons in Florida — I’ve explored a lot of the East Coast.

One of my favorite spots has to be the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The waves there can be insane. I remember a Mother’s Day swell back in 2017 — the waves were breaking way out on the outer bar, and it was a challenge for surfers. But not for a paddle board! I paddled right out and had some of the best rides of my life.

SUP has completely changed my life — whether I’m on a calm lake or surfing a big swell, I’m just stoked I found it.

How did you hear about Niphean and start working with them?

Once I started reviewing inflatable paddle boards, I came across Niphean and saw they had what I was looking for — an 11-foot model with a unique center fin. I reached out to their team, they got back to me quickly, and we got to work.

At first, I was curious about the center fin. What did it actually do? Would it help with balance? The answer was a big YES. It made a huge difference in tracking and overall stability — way better than most other inflatables I’ve tried. That Glide Wing center fin really does its job.

After the first review, we teamed up again to compare Niphean boards with other brands. The results spoke for themselves — that center fin and their accessories really stood out. That comparison video is still one of my best-performing videos ever, even after a year! And just recently, I got to help design my very own 11-foot Glide Wing model with them — an absolute dream come true! Working with Niphean has been awesome, and I’m excited to see what we do next!

What is your Niphean gear of choice and why?

Definitely the 11-foot Glide Wing model. It’s an incredible board — especially for the price. Super stable, really versatile, and you can even convert it into a kayak if you want. It’s tough, durable, and the center Glide Wing fin improves tracking and glide like crazy.

Sure, it can limit tight turns and might catch bottom in shallow spots, but all the fins are removable — so you’ve got options. It’s my go-to board, especially when I’m traveling or exploring.

In your opinion, what sets Niphean apart from the competition?

That center Glide Wing fin. It really does make a big difference when it comes to tracking and stability, especially on longer paddles or in choppy water. And for the price? You really can’t beat it. I honestly wouldn’t go with any other brand right now.

Find out more about Niphean and Steve Houser
www.niphean.com
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Steve Houser’s Youtube Channel