Boards of the Carolina Cup
The month of April has many of us excited for the end of winter. As the days begin to lengthen and the temperatures rise. We know summer is just around the corner. For many April also means the start of the paddle race season. And what better way to kick it off than with one of the largest events of the year.
The Carolina Cup.
Surrounded by water on all sides the a four mile stretch that is Wrightsville Beach is a paddle enthusiast playground. From surfing the many spots sprinkled along the shoreline, to a calm paddle on the intracoastal, that separates Wrightsville Beach from the mainland of North Carolina. This beach town offers a bit of everything for all beach goers, and is host to the world renown Carolina Cup. This event has blossomed from a one day race to a week long festival celebrating the start of paddle season. With paddlers from around the globe descending on Wrightsville Beach to take part in the unique event that offers paddlers an experience that only the Carolina Cup can provide. With clinics, movie showings, social gatherings, and races there is something for everyone.
The weekend centers around 5 different races. Three focusing on stand up paddling and prone. While the other two are for paddle crafts, outrigger canoes, surf skis and kayaks. The three prone and SUP races offer distances of 5k, 10k and 13 miles and have over 460 excited paddlers heading out onto the waters of Wrightsville Beach.
Our team will be part of this large group of paddlers participating in all three distances. While we all race to win, our teams focus on their own personal experience and the incredible community that surrounds ur sport. That’s why we come, that’s why, we support.
But what is everyone paddling?
Prone paddle athletes take on the courses without a paddle. Paddling in the traditional sense similar to a surfboard on a board designed to move effortless through the water created by Legendary shaper and prone paddler, Joe Bark.
The new Ghost Carbon line of stock (12’) prone boards will be making an appearance at this year's race. With the lite, wide tail, and stock commander all being paddled these lightweight boards will allow the paddlers to move efficiently through the course.
The stand up paddlers also will be on Joe Bark designed shapes. With the Bark Vapor Ghost Carbon, both 12’6 and 14’ as well as the 14’ D2 and 12’6 Contender lite. Each board suited to excel in a variety of conditions and based on the racer that rides them..
From NSP we will have 2 time Carolina Cup Champion, Titouan Puyo as well as his teammates, Travis Grant and Marcus Hansen paddling the Sonic model. The Ninja and Puma will also be on the courses being ridden by a variety of athletes showing the diversity of the line.
We will check back in with our team throughout the week and get updates on why they selected the models they did and speak to their strengths.
Be sure to connect with us if you’re at the race for our Social Gathering at 4 PM on Thursday at the Yellow Cottages next to the Blockade Runner. And a demo on Friday on the Intracoastal across from the Blockade Runner. Come by, say hello, and take a board out for a paddle!
