[3] By 1986 Severson was becoming recognized as a developer of innovative board designs by the industry and that year was his most successful competitively as he won both the 1986 Morey World Championship and the National Pro/Am.
In 1987 Severson signed with bodyboard manufacturer BZ and he soon released his first mass-produced custom board named the BEN T-10.
[4] In the 1990s he established Ben Severson Designs (BSD) and continues to produce custom boards.
[5] Along with fellow bodyboarder Mike Stewart, Severson pioneered surfing Teahupo'o in the late 1980s.
[6][7] This location has since gone on to become a premier global big-wave surfing destination on the WSL circuit.