HYDROCRAFT

BEHIND THE BRAND

Hydrocraft

We're always chasing that apex moment, when the right craft meets the right conditions.

Developed in our backyards, for exploring the unknown.

Rooted in decades of riding and building

We’re a small crew of designers, builders, and lifelong riders drawn to the rhythm of surf, snow, and wind. We’ve spent years chasing that feeling, when everything lines up, the gear disappears beneath you, and it all just clicks. That moment? That’s what keeps us going. And sure, we love riding great gear ourselves, but it’s even better watching someone else light up on something we’ve built.

After years working behind the curtain for other brands, we felt it was time to take a different path, to build something small, nimble, and deeply connected to the sports we love. A brand that listens closely, moves quickly, and brings fresh ideas straight to the riders who live for this stuff as much as we do.

Brodie Sutherland

HEAD OF ENGINEERING

Born into a family of engineers and windsurfers, Brodie blends a deep technical background in computer-aided engineering with hands-on, shop-floor know-how. He began his career designing unmanned aircraft before shifting focus to designing foils. With sharp instincts on the water and precision in the shop, Brodie ensures nothing gets lost in translation between CAD and real-world performance.

Sean Ordonez

BOARD DESIGNER

Master craftsman, board builder, athlete, and free thinker, Sean-O is truly one of a kind. Raised in the Caribbean, he was immersed early in the worlds of surfing and board building, setting him on a lifelong path of innovation. His open-minded approach is what sets him apart from most shapers.

For decades, Sean has been at the forefront of surf, windsurf, SUP, kite, and foilboard design. Sean's custom boards that have earned a cult following among some of the world’s best watermen. If you’ve got the guts to paddle out at Jaws on a proper day, chances are you’ll be sitting in a lineup of boards Sean built.

His cross-disciplinary experience gives him a unique understanding of how different board types interact with water, an encyclopedia of design wisdom that leads to what we simply call “magic boards.”

Sam Shannon

HEAD OF RETAIL - HOOD RIVER

If you foil in Hood River, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Sam, or spotted him rolling through town in his unmistakable flaming Astro van. Sam’s stoke for getting people on the right gear is unmatched, and his energy is contagious. With years of retail expertise and sales leadership under his belt, he knows how to create an exceptional customer experience. Beyond the shop, Sam plays a pivotal role in our product testing and development, helping ensure every piece of gear we make lives up to the standard.

Henry Mcnamara

SALES - HAWAI'I

Henry grew up in Newport Beach with a board always under his arm. Life took him to O‘ahu, where he met Kristina, who brought him home to Maui, and now they raise their daughter, Florence. Maui’s wind and water sparked a new chapter, kiting and foiling became a natural extension of surfing. Summers mean Maliko runs and channel crossings like M2M and M2O; winters chasing swells. Whether offshore or loading boards with friends for the shuttle, Henry thrives in Hawai‘i’s conditions, always stoked and pushing himself in some of the best waters on earth.

Off the water, Henry has built a career around connection and community. With a background in sales, business development, and project management, he brings the same drive and authenticity to Hydrocraft, reminding everyone that the ride is meant to be enjoyed.

Matt Elsasser

FOUNDER

Jack of all trades, master of none. Matt grew up in a family of water lovers and entrepreneurs, naturally drawn to both surf culture and the business that fuels it. He got his start in the industry at 14, sweeping floors at the local shop.

Over the years, he worked his way up from retail shop grom to leading sales teams and managing brand divisions. While much of his focus has been on business development and marketing, his obsession with product design, and putting every piece of gear through its paces on the water, is always front and center.

Brodie Sutherland

HEAD OF ENGINEERING

Born into a family of engineers and windsurfers, Brodie blends a deep technical background in computer-aided engineering with hands-on, shop-floor know-how. He began his career designing unmanned aircraft before shifting focus to designing foils. With sharp instincts on the water and precision in the shop, Brodie ensures nothing gets lost in translation between CAD and real-world performance.

Sean Ordonez

BOARD DESIGNER

Master craftsman, board builder, athlete, and free thinker, Sean-O is truly one of a kind. Raised in the Caribbean, he was immersed early in the worlds of surfing and board building, setting him on a lifelong path of innovation. His open-minded approach is what sets him apart from most shapers.

For decades, Sean has been at the forefront of surf, windsurf, SUP, kite, and foilboard design. Sean's custom boards that have earned a cult following among some of the world’s best watermen. If you’ve got the guts to paddle out at Jaws on a proper day, chances are you’ll be sitting in a lineup of boards Sean built.

His cross-disciplinary experience gives him a unique understanding of how different board types interact with water, an encyclopedia of design wisdom that leads to what we simply call “magic boards.”

Sam Shannon

HEAD OF RETAIL - HOOD RIVER

If you foil in Hood River, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Sam, or spotted him rolling through town in his unmistakable flaming Astro van. Sam’s stoke for getting people on the right gear is unmatched, and his energy is contagious. With years of retail expertise and sales leadership under his belt, he knows how to create an exceptional customer experience. Beyond the shop, Sam plays a pivotal role in our product testing and development, helping ensure every piece of gear we make lives up to the standard.

Henry Mcnamara

SALES - HAWAI'I

Henry grew up in Newport Beach with a board always under his arm. Life took him to O‘ahu, where he met Kristina, who brought him home to Maui, and now they raise their daughter, Florence. Maui’s wind and water sparked a new chapter, kiting and foiling became a natural extension of surfing. Summers mean Maliko runs and channel crossings like M2M and M2O; winters chasing swells. Whether offshore or loading boards with friends for the shuttle, Henry thrives in Hawai‘i’s conditions, always stoked and pushing himself in some of the best waters on earth.

Off the water, Henry has built a career around connection and community. With a background in sales, business development, and project management, he brings the same drive and authenticity to Hydrocraft, reminding everyone that the ride is meant to be enjoyed.

Matt Elsasser

FOUNDER

Jack of all trades, master of none. Matt grew up in a family of water lovers and entrepreneurs, naturally drawn to both surf culture and the business that fuels it. He got his start in the industry at 14, sweeping floors at the local shop.

Over the years, he worked his way up from retail shop grom to leading sales teams and managing brand divisions. While much of his focus has been on business development and marketing, his obsession with product design, and putting every piece of gear through its paces on the water, is always front and center.