Meet Zoe Zylstra, the powerhouse behind Malibu Mavens. She’s the brains (and heart) behind Malibu Mavens, an all-female training program providing boating courses for women, by women, on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.
We caught up with Zoe to chat about her love for all things boating, her watersports wins, and how Malibu Mavens came to life.
Growing Up On The Water
Zoe was practically born on the water.
. 
Her family lives in Minnesota right on Prior Lake, where she spent her childhood. "I started doing watersports as soon as I could walk! I was schooled online and when I was old enough, I went to Florida to train further, before heading to San Diego for college where I started a watersports community," she revealed.
After graduating, Zoe pursued an opportunity to join a watersports program on the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. She remained there for almost four years, where she completed a number of courses while captaining vessels for the organization she was with. "I was one of two women captains on the whole island - it was intimidating! I had to learn everything very fast," she said.
Working at MN Inboard Water Sports
Zoe’s connection with Minnesota Inboard Water Sports started early — she landed a Pro Shop job at just fifteen, a dream gig for any lake-loving teen. After spending some time in the Caribbean, she returned to the company that had kickstarted her professional journey. Over the years, she’s worked her way up and now holds the role of Manager of Branding and Communications. It's a position that perfectly blends her passion for boating with her talent for storytelling and connection.
Alongside her role behind the scenes, Zoe also became a promotional rider for Minnesota Inboard while still in her teens — a title she still proudly holds today. With her own Malibu Boat for demo rides, she continues to inspire others to get out on the water and experience the thrill for themselves.
Creating Malibu Mavens: For Women by Women
Zoe's experience on the Turks and Caicos Islands had made such a positive impact on her boat handling confidence that when she returned from the Caribbean, she immediately set out to create a similar program to empower the women in her own community.
"I wanted to make other women feel confident behind the helm. When people come to our shop to buy a boat, they deal with the sales team which is all male. Sometimes that can intimidate the women. They become less likely to ask questions in fear that it may make them seem dumb."
With this in mind, Zoe created Malibu Mavens so that women could come out, have fun, mingle and most of all build confidence on the water. Throughout the program, Zoe teaches women how to drive, maneuver, and dock boats, as well as skills like fender tying, knot tying and general safety and navigation skills.
Watersports Fun with Malibu Women
Malibu Mavens isn’t just about mastering boating skills — it’s about creating unforgettable experiences on the water. After the hands-on training, the fun really begins. Zoe shares her passion for watersports by coaching participants in wake surfing, turning each session into an opportunity to build confidence and have a blast. The program also includes creative, community-driven events — from surprise birthday cakes on the boat to last year’s Halloween costume surf session, where everyone dressed up and hit the water in full festive spirit. Coming up next, Zoe is organizing a Malibu Mavens pop-up market featuring local jewelry, boutique items, and more ways to bring the community together off the water too.
Empowered Women Buy Malibu Boats
The Malibu Mavens program is doing more than just teaching women how to drive a boat — it’s giving them the confidence to take the helm in a bigger way. Zoe has seen firsthand how empowering women on the water often leads to them investing in their own boating lifestyle. Many participants join the program without owning a boat, some just curious to try it out after a few rides with friends. But by the end of the summer, it’s not uncommon for them to take the leap — and more often than not, they choose a Malibu.
What's Next for Zoe?
Zoe is always dreaming big and thinking ahead — her mind, as she puts it, is constantly racing with new ideas. Last year, she helped organize a Brave the Wave event with Malibu, a heartwarming event that gets people with disabilities, especially Amputees and individuals with limb differences, out on the water for an unforgettable experience.
Zoe Zylstra’s journey is proof that passion, purpose, and a love for the water can spark real change. From growing up on Prior Lake to launching Malibu Mavens and inspiring the next generation of boaters, she’s building more than just skills — she’s building a community. Whether it’s helping women gain confidence at the helm, giving kids the thrill of their first wake surf, or creating inclusive experiences for people of all abilities, Zoe’s impact goes far beyond the shoreline. And knowing her, this is just the beginning.