CHARLOTTE -- Young Wood Pro finalist, Nathan Deal's 17-ft. kayak named the Great Auk was awarded the Young Wood Pro winner at Wood Pro Expo in Charlotte.  Deal said his kayak was crafted with western red cedar and used curly white maple for accent strips.

It included custom lettering and engraving along the side of the kayak and was inlaid with a white powder.  Deal was one of five finalists of nearly 70 entries for the competition.

FDMC's Editor, Will Sampson, announced the award winner at a reception hosted by Woodworking Network, which also owns and manages Wood Pro Expo.  

In addition to the recognition, Deal was rewarded with a new Castle 100 portable pocket drilling tool, donated by Castle, Inc. "Castle Inc. is committed to recognizing exceptional achievement in the woodworking craft and promoting excellence in the industry," said Max Durney, founder of Castle who presented the award.

Wood Pro Expo is the regional show that brings education, equipment, and supplies close to cabinetmakers and custom woodworking businesses around the country. It includes a strong educational program on best practices for shop production, and as well as an expo oriented to equipment and supplies geared to the small- and medium-size shops, including CNC basics, employee recruitment, finishing, lean manufacturing, business management, software, and shop safety.