By John Coffman, Smith Mountain Lake Chapter
Beth and I recently made the trip to beautiful Lake Lure, North Carolina, to attend the Blue Ridge Chapter’s boat show. The Blue Ridge Chapter was actually formed at Lake Lure, so if you’re going to have a chapter gathering anywhere, you might as well hold it where the whole thing started.
Now, if the name Lake Lure sounds familiar, it’s probably because a couple of years ago the area made national news when Hurricane Helene decided to take a shortcut through the North Carolina mountains. Most of us think hurricanes belong at the beach, but apparently nobody explained that to Helene. The storm caused widespread flooding, washed out roads and bridges, and at one point there was real concern that the Lake Lure dam might fail.
Thankfully, the dam held. Considering that this year marked the 100th anniversary of the dam’s completion, that seemed especially appropriate. Nothing says “Happy Birthday” quite like surviving a hurricane. To celebrate the centennial, the Blue Ridge Chapter was invited to participate in a parade of classic boats down to the dam while local officials conducted anniversary ceremonies around the lake.(see what I did with the title ha).
Lake Lure is a beautiful body of water, although by Smith Mountain Lake standards it’s more of a “starter lake.” With only about 27 miles of shoreline compared to our roughly 500 miles, you can finish a lake tour before your boat engine warms up. Still, what Lake Lure lacks in size, it more than 
makes up for in scenery. The mountains seem to rise straight out of the water, creating postcard-worthy views around every bend. Of course, the real attraction isn’t just the scenery, it’s the people. After attending a few of the Blue Ridge Chapter shows we’ve come to appreciate what makes their chapter so special. Their members are welcoming, enthusiastic, and genuinely passionate about antique and classic boats. Their chapter president has a remarkable gift for making everyone feel like part of the family. Every time we’ve attended their events , we’ve been greeted not as visitors, but as friends returning for another great weekend on the water.
Beth and I had a wonderful time throughout the weekend. Great venue, great food and the friendliest people! Between the boat parade, meeting fellow enthusiasts, and taking visitors for rides, there was always something happening. The weather forecast threatened rain on Saturday, so the organizers made the decision to move the show to a trailer show at the historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn. Surprisingly, the change worked out quite well. The boats looked great, everyone stayed dry, and for once nobody had to worry about loading boats on trailers in the rain.
While the boaters were talking horsepower, varnish, and restoration projects, the ladies made a trip to nearby Chimney Rock for sightseeing, shopping, hiking, and lunch. The show featured approximately 24 boats with an excellent variety of designs and eras. The People’s Choice Award went to a stunning 19-foot 1937 Hacker-Craft Deluxe Runabout. The Captain’s Choice Award was awarded to a beautiful 1949 Grew-Hutchinson triple cockpit. Both boats were outstanding examples of why wooden boat owners willingly spend countless hours sanding, varnishing, and explaining to their spouses that “this is the last project.”
What impressed me most wasn’t the boats, however. It was seeing a community that has been through so much over the last couple of years continuing to celebrate its history and welcome visitors with open arms. The recovery from Hurricane Helene is still ongoing in many parts of western North Carolina, but the people of Lake Lure haven’t lost their spirit, their hospitality, or their love of the lake.
By the end of the weekend, Beth and I came away with new friends, great memories, and a renewed appreciation for the boating community. We also learned that while Smith Mountain Lake may be bigger, hospitality is not measured in shoreline miles.