ABOUT US
It started the way most good ideas do — not in a boardroom, but on the water.
Ryan had been running offshore for years, constantly modifying and rebuilding gear that just didn’t hold up under real pressure. Paul and Kevin were right there with him, each bringing their own obsession with craftsmanship and performance. After one too many trips where something failed at the worst possible moment, the conversation shifted from complaining about equipment to building it themselves.
Carson began prototyping in a small workshop, refining designs late into the night while Paul stress-tested everything they made in brutal, real-world conditions. Ryan focused on the bigger picture — how to create a brand rooted in tradition but built for modern performance. What started as a handful of custom builds for friends quickly gained traction at the docks.
They didn’t set out to create just another gear company. They set out to build equipment they trusted with their own trips — and their own reputations. The rest grew from there, one proven product at a time.
The Native Team
Ryan Hill
Driven by vision and grounded in hands-on experience, our Founder & CEO Ryan defines the strategic direction of the company. He blends big-picture thinking with time on the water, ensuring that innovation never comes at the expense of purpose. Every product, partnership, and decision is guided by a clear commitment to building gear that performs when it matters most.
Ryan sets the tone for a culture built on accountability, precision, and pride in the details. From initial concept to final inspection, the standard is established at the top and carried through everything we build. The mission is simple: create uncompromising gear that reflects performance, integrity, and the values of those who put it to the test.
Founder & CEO
Kevin DePersia
Strategic and growth-driven, our Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin leads brand strategy and audience engagement with precision. He shapes our brand voice, positioning, and market presence to ensure every campaign aligns with our core identity and long-term objectives. With a strong understanding of creative direction, Kevin builds strategies that are as intentional as they are impactful.
Through sharp storytelling and data-backed execution, he turns visibility into measurable growth. From digital campaigns and content development to product launches and partnerships, every initiative is built with performance in mind. By blending analytics with creativity, Kevin converts attention into engagement and engagement into lasting brand equity.
Chief Marketing OfficerCarson Schemenaur
As Director of Craft & Production, Carson leads every build from concept to completion, setting the standard for quality at every stage of the process. He oversees material selection, fabrication, assembly, and finishing with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each product meets our uncompromising expectations. From early design refinement to final inspection, Carson enforces exacting production standards that prioritize strength, balance, and long-term durability.
With a deep understanding of both craftsmanship and performance demands, he bridges innovation with hands-on execution. His leadership ensures consistency across every build while continually refining processes to push quality even further. The result is precision-driven gear built to perform under pressure and made to represent the highest standard of our name.
Director of Craft & Production
Our Head of Product Testing, Validation & R&D pushes every product beyond its limits long before it reaches your hands. Paul leads intensive real-world field testing designed to replicate the harshest offshore conditions, ensuring every piece of gear performs under pressure. From stress testing components to evaluating grip security, balance, and structural integrity, no detail is overlooked.
He oversees strict validation protocols and hands-on quality control to guarantee consistency and durability across every build. Prototypes are pushed to failure, refinements are made, and only the strongest designs move forward. The standard is simple: if it doesn’t hold up offshore, it doesn’t leave the shop. Every product must earn its place through performance, not promises.
Director of Product Testing