Sean Slater is a lifelong Florida waterman with deep roots in Cocoa Beach and the surrounding Space Coast. Raised in a family tied closely to the water—his father owned a local bait shop—Sean learned early on the value of fishing, hard work, and taking care of the lagoon that provided it all. Over time, that foundation grew into a life built entirely around the water, from competitive surfing to running boats professionally, all grounded in respect for the resource.
Growing up along Florida’s east coast, Sean was immersed in the water from day one. Between time spent in the surf and working around his family’s bait shop, he developed a deep understanding of both fishing and the coastal lifestyle. Places like Sebastian Inlet weren’t just destinations—they were part of his daily life, shaping his skills and his connection to the water.
In the 1980s, Sean made his mark as a competitive surfer, traveling and competing at a high level during a formative era for East Coast surfing. Over the course of more than 30 years as a professional surfer, he built a reputation for consistency, toughness, and style. His career includes representing the United States Surf Team and earning recognition as a 2012 East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame inductee.
As his time on the water expanded beyond surfing, Sean built a career running boats across a wide range of industries. From crew boats and tour boats to commercial vessels, his experience spans Florida waters and extends as far as Alaska. That hands-on time running vessels in real-world conditions gives him a practical, no-nonsense approach to maintaining boats and keeping gear working the way it should.
Today, Sean splits his time between professional work on the water and life at home in Cocoa Beach. Alongside his wife and their crew of Frenchies, he’s still chasing everything the water has to offer—snook, redfish, grouper, sailfish, shrimp, lobster—whatever’s in season and worth the effort. It’s not about one lane—it’s about being out there and staying connected.
A true native Florida waterman, Sean represents a lifetime of experience built on using these waters the right way. He understands firsthand how important it is to take care of the environments that provide so much—whether that’s maintaining gear properly, minimizing impact, or simply doing things the right way every time. It’s a mindset that aligns naturally with the Star brite approach: use it, enjoy it, and protect it.
From surfing at Sebastian Inlet to running boats across the country, Sean Slater has spent his life on the water. That kind of experience isn’t taught—it’s earned. And it shows in how he works, how he lives, and how he represents the watermen who rely on their gear and their environment every single day.
