Wrightsville Beach History Museum hosts stand up paddle boarding competion

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Saturday stand up paddle boarders hit Wrightsville Beach for a little competition.

Some of the largest cash prizes on the East Coast were on the line, including $1,700 for the top man and woman in the professional divisions.

But the event wasn’t just about catching the best waves. It was chance to focus on the area’s rich surf history. The Wrightsville Beach Museum of History put on the SUP competition in conjunction with its “Celebration of Waterman History” event.

Madeline Flagler, Wrightsville Beach Museum of History director, says surfing and other water sports are a big part of Wrightsville Beach’s history, and they want to be a part of preserving that history as well as adding to it.

“We really want to capture the information and the history about what will be important 50 years from now,” Flagler said. “So bringing in a SUP surfing event and connecting with that part of our community seemed like a really good fit.”

April Zilg is an avid paddler and instructor. She says SUP surfing is a fun sport for everyone.

“I tell you stand up paddling is just such a diverse sport that can cater to the simplest, easiest paddlers to the most extreme world champion paddler. You get such a wide range of people out here on the beach all just out to have a good time,” Zilg said.

Both professional and amateur stand up paddle boarders participated in the competition.