WOW 2026: Valerie and Victoria Duprat
The California Surf Museum was honored to welcome guests for Women on Waves 2026, an inspiring evening celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of Valerie and Victoria Duprat, a mother-daughter team whose passion, innovation, and dedication continue to influence the future of surfing.
Valerie Duprat has built a unique career at the intersection of science, artistry, and surfing. A research scientist by profession and founder of Mère-Made Surfboards, Valerie is one of the relatively few female surfboard shapers working in the industry today. Largely self-taught, she applied the curiosity, discipline, and problem-solving skills of a scientist to master the art of hand-shaping surfboards. Over the years she has crafted hundreds of custom boards, earned recognition throughout the surfing community, taught shaping classes, and competed against some of the industry’s most respected craftsmen. Valerie’s commitment to sharing knowledge and encouraging more women to enter the shaping bay has made her a respected mentor and ambassador for the craft.
Her daughter, Victoria Duprat, has emerged as one of Southern California’s most promising young competitive surfers. Victoria has built an impressive résumé through regional and national competition, earning recognition as a USA Surfing Girls U16 National Champion while competing on boards designed and shaped by her mother. Their unique partnership creates a continuous cycle of innovation, with Victoria providing feedback from competition and Valerie refining designs to maximize performance. Their collaboration represents a rare and inspiring example of family, craftsmanship, and athletic excellence working together at the highest levels of the sport.
The evening highlighted not only their individual accomplishments but also the special bond that connects their work. Valerie’s dedication to surfboard design and Victoria’s competitive success demonstrates how talent, perseverance, and support across generations can help shape the future of surfing. Together, they exemplify the spirit of Women on Waves: celebrating women who break barriers, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact on the surfing world.
The California Surf Museum thanks Valerie and Victoria Duprat for sharing their story and inspiring all who attended. Their journey reminds us that the history of surfing is continually being written by innovators, athletes, creators, and families who dedicate their lives to the ocean.
