More and more outdoor enthusiasts are using paddle boards as a way to relax and have fun. The stand-up water sport is also being used by nonprofit organizations as a popular way to fundraise.
According to a study by The Outdoor Foundation the number of people using stand-up paddle boards for recreation is increasing. In 2010 the group reported 1.1 million people used the boards compared to 2014 when 2.8 million people say they used the stand-up water equipment.
Throughout the country groups like the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and The Hamptons Paddle and Party for Pink are using the floating devices to raise money and awareness.
The fundraising trend reached Northern Utah on Saturday, Sept.19, at Logan’s First Dam where participants of the Stokes Nature Center Paddle Board Jousting Tournament paid to compete for the title of top jouster.
Around 30 participants dressed up like Pinky Pie, pirates, unicorns and other medieval characters who picked up their paddles and began poking opponents.
“There’s something that’s pretty magical about it,” said Jennifer Hamilton, director of Stokes Nature Center. “You get to just almost float on the water while you’re standing up. It’s an easy sport, you don’t have to be that athletic. You can do that individually which is nice but you can also do that with others. Which is nice.”
Hamilton and volunteers with the Stokes Nature Center helped sponsor the event as a way to raise money to fund kid’s camps, trail hikes and other community nature events held in Logan Canyon.
Josh Brundage helps run Campsaver, an online outdoor recreation business out of Cache Valley that provided prizes to the top competitors.
“It’s really fun something you can do with the whole family, fit up to eight or nine people on some of them,” said Brundage. “It’s a good way to spend the day. You can lay down on them. It’s a little bit nicer than a kayak. You don’t have to be sitting up on it the whole time. You can lay down, relax, eat lunch. It’s really fun, ya we like paddle boarding.”
The event brought community members and university students together. Hamilton said because of the positive response she and organizers believe the paddle boarding tournament on Saturday will be the first of many paddle board fundraising events they will sponsor as an alternative to running and biking in support of a cause.