Paddlesports are a great workout for the upper body, but as far as the legs go – not so much. In the case of sit-down watercraft like kayaks, that situation can be addressed by adding pedals. For stand-up paddleboards, however ... well, it's hard to picture how pedals could be integrated. That's why the designers of the PeleBoard have taken their own approach to leg-powered paddleboarding, with a carbon fiber board that's split lengthwise down the middle.
The two halves of the board are joined together via a sliding rail with stainless steel bearings. Additionally, on the underside of both halves are scute-style flaps.
The idea is that as the user strides forward, that side of the board slides with them, the water pressure causing its flaps to fold up flat against the board. Once it's the other side's turn to move forward, however, the flaps on the first side are back down again, allowing it to stay in place by catching the water.
Moving across the water using that form of locomotion alone might take a while, though, so a double-bladed paddle is also included. Should users wish to just paddle (such as when they're riding waves), the two halves of the board can be temporarily locked together.
Pele Paddleboards co-founder Blake Knutson tells us that the company is planning on raising production funds via a Kickstarter campaign, scheduled to take place next spring (Northern Hemisphere). There's currently no estimate on a retail price although due to the materials involved in its construction, Knutson says "It won't be something everyone on the block can run down and buy."
You can see the board in use, in the following video.
Source: PeleBoards
