The 16th Annual Adirondack Paddlefest at the Old Forge lakefront on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16, 17, and 18 got off to slow start when torrential rain forced a shutdown of activities on its first day, but good crowds and sales brightened the remainder of the weekend, said host John Nemjo, president of Mountainman Outdoor Supply Co.
Nemjo said that sales of Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) were outstanding and foresees the boards as driving the on-water business going into the summer.
“We see that eventually every boat house on the Fulton Chain of Lakes will be equipped with a SUP in the near future. It is hot and driving the industry forward—and a great way to enjoy our local lakes,” he said.
Two inaugural events, an SUP Race and a Fishing Derby were also big hits, he added.
Taking first place in the fishing derby was Matt Mitchell of Old Forge who hooked a 31-inch northern pike in the Old Forge Pond. Mitchell took home a Wilderness Systems Ride 115X kayak provided by Mountainman for the win.