Luke Hopkins from Stride stand up paddleboards was here for the past two days working on some accessories for his line of inflatable boards. Specifically, he was using our machines and our warehouse full of webbing, buckles, bungees and other R&D items to design a front and rear deck cargo strap-down system. None of us here at IR has tried this new sport that seems to be gaining in popularity, so Kara and I headed up to the lake with our two kids to try it out. My first impressions:
- Super easy to jump on and start paddling right away. You feel like you are walking out on to the water.
- People on the bank stare at you when you are on using one of these.
- They’re a lot faster than I expected. Luke said the models we were paddling were the slowest boats he has, and they were still a good deal faster than the the fastest whitewater boat.
- Great for kids. My 4 year old couldn’t wait to try it.
- I really wanted to get them out in waves or surf or even take one down the loop, but we didn’t have time.
Luke says he’s going to come back and leave one here for us to play with, and I’ll be sure to get it out to the river and take some more pics.
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- Our 4 year old taking a board out for a spin
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- Stable enough for a 1 year old
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- John and Aidan
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- Luke working at the bar tacker
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- Carrying a board down to test in the Cassleman in front of IR
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- Luke seeing if the strap system is getting in the way
Seriously cool custom-made hats from Nicole Mansfield. 
1 response so far ↓
1 Sandra Schlenker // Jun 30, 2009 at 11:41 am
Thank you for sharing this information about the stride paddle board. It looks like a great way to experience the outdoors. On June 11, 2009 while participating in the tour de kota bicycling week, my partner (husband) of 35 years and I saw one of these types of watercraft on the Missouri River at Steamboat Park in Pierre, SD. I was out on the water in my Old Town Loon Kayak and admired the ease with which the paddle board seemed to glide across the top of this fairly swift water coming down from the Oahe Dam. I hope to have the opportunity to experience the use of a stride paddle board. -sws
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