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Look Ma, No Hands! Hobie Begins Testing Alternative To The Paddle Board That's More About The Pedals

DANA POINT  (CBSLA.com) —  The Hobie Cat Company is testing out a new alternative to the paddle board.

It's described as a cross between an elliptical machine and a stand up paddle board.

CBS2's Stacey Butler said there are a handful of prototypes currently being tested.

"I've never seen that before," said an avid paddle boarder.

It's a new way to paddle board without picking up a paddle. In a nutshell, this is more about the pedals and less about the paddles.

"I think it looks great. I think it's something I could totally get into and not have to use my arms, and get a workout with my legs," said Danielle Kelly.

The Mirage Eclipse hasn't hit stores yet, but it is already the talk of the beach and the internet.

"I saw it on Facebook," said Kelly.

Since Hobie posted about the Eclipse two weeks ago, a spokesperson for Hobie said they've already received 70 million hits.

Hobie dealer Tim Boyer is one of a handful of Southern California Hobie dealers who is waiting for his first shipment.

"We expect to see our shipment within the next thirty days," says Boyer. "The phone has been ringing constantly."

Unlike the traditional stand-up paddle board -- where all the work is in the paddles -- in the Eclipse, it's all in the pedals.

Handlebars allow you to steer and keep you steady.

Boyer said, so far, mostly women have shown more interest in buying one.

"If you're just standing there and you're just paddling, you only get upper body. You don't work your legs, so that works the whole body. if you're paddling and you're working your legs," said Katherine Meyer-Caneles.

Dana Point Jet Ski is just one of two stores in Orange County that is expected to stock the new paddle boards. They start at $2,500.

Butler reports, they're already on back order.

For more about the Mirage Eclipse, click here.

 

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