Go, Roo! Gig Harbor teen paddleboards toward Team USA glory at Italy world championship

Gig Harbor teen Christiana “Roo” Truebenbach is making waves on the world stage! The 17-year-old paddleboard phenom is heading to Italy to represent Team USA at the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships. Roo earned her spot after an epic showing at the USA SUP National Championships in Gig Harbor, where she won the 10K, sprint and technical races and collected four medals. When she’s not racing, Roo is an 11th grader at Washington Virtual Academies, a tuition-free online public school. She says WAVA’s flexible schedule helps her juggle schoolwork, training and travel. With Italy in sight, her family has started a GoFundMe to help cover travel, competition fees, and getting her racing gear overseas. Let’s all say it together: “Go Roo!” (Image: Kira Truebenbach)