What Kind of Boat is That?

What Kind of Boat is That?

A Carolina Paddler Article

by Alton Chewning

Lake Jordan is a large reservoir in Chatham County, fed by water from the Haw River, New Hope Creek and other sources.  The reservoir is close to the cities of the Triangle area of North Carolina and thus is a popular destination for fishing and recreation.  In a year spent at Lake Jordan, many styles of watercraft can be seen.  A folding kayak with outriggers and tall sail.  An “imitation” tugboat with a steam whistle. A five foot long jet surf, with an internal combustion engine shooting out a squirt of water to make the standing surfer look like a beach pro riding a curler.  Pool toys that could distinguish themselves at the Week of River’s Bad Idea Theater.  A paddle board with a PFD wearing rooster on the bow.

When I think of stand-up paddle boards, I think of people in beach wear, standing or seated, casually exploring the edges of lakes or flat streams.  Of course, there are many types of paddle boards.  Ones that serve as yoga mats and ones that run Class IV rapids.  At Jordan I recently saw a new type, new at least to me.

Walking through the parking lot I saw the oddity.  At first, I thought it was some sort of ocean surf boat.  Long and sleek, maybe eight or ten inches thick.  Paul Scrutton is an afficionado of ocean wave catching and wrote an article about the many forms the vessels take.  Maybe this is what’s called a “surf ski.” The owner was still strapping the curiosity to the roof of his car, so I stopped, pointed a finger, and asked the question, “What is that?”

The owner said, “a racing paddleboard.”  It has raised sides on the deck and scupper holes to allow water to drain.  A tall fin, perhaps ten inches, graced the bottom, doubtless requiring care to avoid damage.  I asked where he raced.  “Wrightsville Beach, in the Intracoastal Waterway.”  He said this was a first-generation board by an Australian company, One Ocean, and a new version was now out.

I noted the curious stern, squared off and beveled down to water level.  He said the new model has a more tapered stern as well as other changes.  Later, I asked Scrutton if he had ever seen one of these and he hadn’t.  He researched it and found….
https://www.oneoceansports.com/edge-pro  

If you’d like to take your leisurely boarding to a next step, check them out.  Also, if you see a new type of water conveyance on Lake Jordan or elsewhere, let Carolina Paddler know.  It’s a wide, wacky world out there.  About that rooster.  Story for another day.

ADDENDUM:  Here’s a link Laura Evans supplied to a video about the SUP Technical World Championships.

Brooks Burleson brought a Wilmington NC SUP race to our attention. It’s a big deal in this world.  Called the Carolina Cup.