Carter Young (in front) and Evan Young at the Winfield Water Sports Weekend Pro-Am Race earlier this year. Evan Young is the founder of Appalachian Boarding Company.
Brian Young of St. Albans helps launch his wife, Emily, in a kayak, on Sept. 4, 2025, at a SUPtember paddle at Winfield Park.
ROBERT SAUNDERS | HD ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Carter Young (in front) and Evan Young at the Winfield Water Sports Weekend Pro-Am Race earlier this year. Evan Young is the founder of Appalachian Boarding Company.
WINFIELD, W.Va. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Appalachian Boarding Company has a new face at the helm. Seventeen-year-old Carter Young of St. Albans has stepped into the managerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s role, taking over day-to-day operations for the local paddling business while its founder, Evan Young (no relation), relocates to Oregon.
The company, known for bringing stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking to Kanawha Valley waterways, is continuing its weekly event called SUPtember. Each Thursday at 6 p.m. through September, paddlers are invited to gather at the Winfield Boat Launch for lessons and an evening on the water. Typically, paddlers go about a half mile upriver to the cove and back.
Paddlers can bring their own equipment or rent from ABC. The standard fee is $25 per person, with a standing group deal that gives every fifth participant a free spot (this is good year-round).
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œEver since I tried paddleboarding at one of EvanÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s events five years ago, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve loved it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Carter Young said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI thought this was a great opportunity to continue what he started ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” the lessons, rentals and community paddles.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Carter Young, who is homeschooled, said Winfield will be the main hub for activities moving forward. He appreciates the calm water, the clean park facilities, and the fact that the city doesnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t require a business tax for ABC. But he is looking at expanding to other places and hopes to add new events ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” including a fall foliage paddle on the Kanawha River.
While still in his teens, Carter Young has already built a reputation as a strong competitor in local paddle races. He recently acquired a 14-foot fiberglass race board from Evan Young ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” a board built for speed at just 21 inches wide compared to the typical 30-32 inches.
Evan Young, who founded Appalachian Boarding Company, said heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s excited to see Carter Young step up.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s safety-minded, punctual, and an incredible young paddler,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Evan Young wrote on the companyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Facebook page. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCarter has gone from our most loyal customer to an ambassador for youth paddling in our area.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Evan Young is moving with his family to Oregon to begin a new job that will allow him more time with his family, though he plans to continue paddling competitively. He remains the owner of ABC while Carter Young and his parents, Brian and Emily Young, manage operations locally.
Carter Young plans to expand the rental fleet with additional kayaks and inflatable paddleboards while keeping lessons available for both individuals and groups.
Founded with the goal of encouraging healthy recreation and offering young people positive alternatives, Appalachian Boarding Company continues its mission under Carter YoungÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s leadership.
For more information, visit or follow Appalachian Boarding Company on Facebook. To reserve a spot for SUPtember, or to arrange future lessons or rentals, call or text 304-993-5799.
