Brenton Woo

Brenton Woo is an entrepreneur and the founder of Moda Surfboards, a company known for creating the world's first high-performance soft surfboards. He graduated from the College of William & Mary and has a background in both surfing and snowboarding, which heavily influences his innovative approach to surfboard design.

Career and Innovations

Woo began developing the concept for Moda Surfboards in 2009, officially launching the company in 2016. His surfboards feature a patented internal wooden core that enhances stability and control, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. This design contrasts with traditional fiberglass boards, which Woo considers too rigid for the dynamic environment of surfing, and conventional soft boards that he finds too floppy.12

In 2019, Woo received a patent for his surfboard technology. Instead of directly marketing his boards, he aimed to supply his technology to existing surfboard manufacturers, similar to how Intel supplies chips to computer makers. His strategy included holding workshops where surfers could create their own boards using his designs, which proved popular and helped demonstrate the appeal of his product.13

Personal Life

Brenton Woo is married to Kathryn Johnston-Woo, who was serving in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps at the time they launched Moda Surfboards. The couple moved to the East Coast as her assignment changed.1

Overall, Woo's work with Moda Surfboards reflects a blend of innovation in surfboard technology and a commitment to improving the surfing experience through accessible yet high-performance products.