This weekend a massive winter storm attacked the eastern part of the country. Record snowfall amounts and blizzard conditions crippled much of the east coast. The storm’s effects were even felt as far south as here in Wilmington, NC. Saturday’s high temps were around freezing with wind gusts up to thirty miles per hour. On a day like that most people would stay inside and curl up with a book. For others it seemed like a great opportunity to get out and do some paddle boarding.
The 8th annual Cold Stroke Classic paddle board race was held this Saturday morning at the Blockade Runner Hotel and Resort in Wrightsville Beach. The event was sponsored by The Coastal Urge outfitting company, with a portion of the proceeds going to Saint Baldrick’s foundation for cancer research. Paddle boarders from all over the state met to compete for cash, prizes, and bragging rights. The race consisted of a men’s and women’s division with each having a recreational category and an elite category. The recreational racers would complete a three and a half mile course while the elite racers would go seven miles.
All races started and ended at the Blockade runner, paddling counter-clockwise around South Harbor Island. The Coast Guard was on hand to pick up any competitors that got too cold to finish. There were a few racers that had to be picked up to get their core temps back to the normal range, but no one was seriously injured.
Ben Roth won the men’s elite division with a time of one hour and twenty-five minutes.“It was probably the best time I have ever done in a seven mile race,” said Ben while warming up after the event.
The top three racers from the elite divisions took home cash prizes, but everyone who raced got a prize donated by sponsors. The awards after party featured draft beer, a live DJ, and warm chili. The Cold Stroke Classic is meant to be difficult, but this year’s conditions were the biggest challenge yet.
“This was probably our coldest, windiest year,” said race coordinator Katie Peters. “Considering everything that could have gone wrong, I think we had a very successful event.”
Paddle boarding is growing in popularity nation wide. It’s a great work out and a good opportunity to get out and explore nature. As the Cold Stroke Classic has proved, it can even be enjoyed year round.