Hi Guys

Take a read of this article from Jim Terrell, it's quite provocative.


www.supracer.com/the-death-and-rebirth-of-sup-racing/


One of the comments he makes about deck depth is clearly a jab at Starboard. Personally I think he is being a bit sensationalist because his 11 inch canoe board is only ever going to be good at a straight line sprint in pancake flat water and most of us are more interested in beach and ocean racing with buoy turns etc. Everyone just needs to get over the dugout.

I also think the weight issue with sort it's self out. If some idiot want to drop a stack of $$$ to save another hundred grams off his board that is fine, I will just take a dump before heading out At the end of the day the weight issue is over thought.

Loved the article though and I agree with a 4m stock race board length, the sooner the better. As for introducing the minimum width, just let the wind and waves sort that one out.

Coming from Windsurfing and road cycleraces I understand whats he is saying.I agree with him because I have a 12.6 and looiking for an affordable 14fter for flatwaterraces wich is when you rethink it is insane.
I have also 3 wave sups while when I started 6years ago we did everything on a 11-12ft board.
But when you switch to one length class/width/weight you will always have people with disadvabtages due there weight and size that they cant compensate with other gear and I forsee that when you get one length and minimum width people probably start to "cheat" with quivers of boards with different rockers for flat/choppy wave conditions When you do one board class you should IMO like in the worldcup windsurfing register the stuff and set a limit of the amount of boards you use in the tour that year.

Yep I agree 100% , 4m sounds good as long as there is no airline issue with 4m. Hauling 2 boards to every race is a joke.

So if I understand correctly, 14' is totally inappropriate as the compromise because you can't get it on a plane (even though some seem to have managed that) and you can't race through the surf (even though some seem to be able to do this comfortably).

12'6" is totally inappropriate because it's too short for the big guys (even though there are wider boards available) and you can't downwind or race flat water on them (even though some can manage this feat).

But 13'1" solves every problem? Just seems to be another class and more confusion.

Just pull the trigger and make everything 14'. Problem solved.

PTWoody said..

So if I understand correctly, 14' is totally inappropriate as the compromise because you can't get it on a plane (even though some seem to have managed that) and you can't race through the surf (even though some seem to be able to do this comfortably).

12'6" is totally inappropriate because it's too short for the big guys (even though there are wider boards available) and you can't downwind or race flat water on them (even though some can manage this feat).

But 13'1" solves every problem? Just seems to be another class and more confusion.

Just pull the trigger and make everything 14'. Problem solved.

Woody,

I agree with you, add in UP TO 14 so you include the current 12'6 and you on a winner. That way if people want to use shorter boards they can or if groms who need to race a 9'6 can as well. All this needs is some not so common sense

goatman said..

Regardless of what max length is established he makes some good points regarding waterline width and deck depth also.

The deck depth argument is a little soft to me - assuming stand up paddle racing is a derivative of surfing is highly debatable. It can be just as easily argued that this part of the sport owes more to OC1 than surfing. If you believe SUP was invented by Laird Hamilton, then sure, it's a surf sport. But if you acknowledge thousands of years of ocean paddling evolution, then the canoe influence cannot be dismissed.

I think he has hit the nail on the head 100%. For all you guys saying it should be 14foot and big dollars wasted...how many of you will still be using the same boards in 2-3years??? Come on, you change your boards more than underware around here

While some have managed to travel with 14 footers, I think if you actually try and do the leg work there is no hard and fast rule, and that those become the exception not the rule....

OG when has a class ever been length restrictive other than max? ie I was under the impression you can turn up to any event and compete in a class as long as you are not longer. I doubt anyone would protest someone for having a shorter board.

PTWoody said..

goatman said..

Regardless of what max length is established he makes some good points regarding waterline width and deck depth also.

The deck depth argument is a little soft to me - assuming stand up paddle racing is a derivative of surfing is highly debatable. It can be just as easily argued that this part of the sport owes more to OC1 than surfing. If you believe SUP was invented by Laird Hamilton, then sure, it's a surf sport. But if you acknowledge thousands of years of ocean paddling evolution, then the canoe influence cannot be dismissed.

I'm more referring to his point regarding crazy designs that fit a basic criteria (like min width) but become ridiculous like the proto in the vid. The only way to avoid this is to have some criteria on deck depth and waterline width.

PTWoody said..

goatman said..

Regardless of what max length is established he makes some good points regarding waterline width and deck depth also.

The deck depth argument is a little soft to me - assuming stand up paddle racing is a derivative of surfing is highly debatable. It can be just as easily argued that this part of the sport owes more to OC1 than surfing. If you believe SUP was invented by Laird Hamilton, then sure, it's a surf sport. But if you acknowledge thousands of years of ocean paddling evolution, then the canoe influence cannot be dismissed.

i think the point is SUP is getting the most growth from the surf culture at the moment. Like the article says, a surf based image is "cool" thus creating a greater appeal for the masses

I are with all he said, barring the length change. As some of you guys said, we've all spent thousands on our chosen boards, be it 12'6 or 14, & a third length class would mean we all own boards that can no longer be raced. & that is ludicrous!

I agree with most things said, definite restrictions on length and width, but careful consideration needs to be made in relation to what dimensions these are.

Things like ease of paddling for maximum participation should be the core focus, unfortunately if sponsored athletes and the high performers dictate the sport it will die. A research into why and who SUP may shock the industry and make these changes occur. I know there is an increase in SUP surfers but the reason the sport has exploded IMO has nothing to do with the surfing side. It has more to do with the ability to walk on water, the view people can get into the water and surroundings but more importantly the fact that people of any shape or ability can do it any day of the week (including when the surf is out of control & the weather being crap) on FLAT WATER

I could rant on all day about this subject, but to open it up the sport needs to set minimum widths, length and design limitation, possible weight divisions and the majority of races for mass participation and viewer satisfaction on Flat water (this will also see SUP make it to the Olympics and mainstream)

I think it's good that Terrell is suggesting a 2 year delay for any such move so that board and design attrition can take effect. But I maintain that there is a danger to introducing another board length and that is if the idea doesn't stick and become the ubiquitous length for most races, then we will simply have a bigger mess to deal with - 12'6", 13'1", 14' and Unlimited.

Holy Batman..

I say anything goes unless you're in a kinda one-deign class.

DJ

It would be folly not to seriously consider the advice of a person with so much experience in this type of sporting field, as Spock would say "his logic is sound". I agree with Jim whole heartily and I speak as someone who has spent too much money on boards as the quiver stands at about 8 boards at the moment with 2 of these being carbon starboards 12'6 & a 14' with recessed decks which are great to paddle but I think a international standard of 4 meters for bop etc will really enable the sport to continue to thrive as the sport will then rely heavily on a persons commitment to training, attending local club comps etc which will in turn strengthen the sport as a whole. National or international sport strength begins with attendance at the club level and gaining local participation which flows onto higher comps. I would hate to see a sport where a person wins races simply on the basis of forking out large money for a crazy thin board and this would be off putting to new comers. A sport only thrives on the continuing influx of new comers particularly those in their teens who stay with sport through later in life. We are already at the point where there are very few parents that would fork out the kind of dollars that a current competitive race board costs now a on a kid. Perhaps pressure should start at the local level to convince the various national or international governing bodies around the world to seriously look at a game plan for the sport to ensure its continuing success. I speak as someone that will never be in top numbers in any comp but as a bloke that just likes to get out and have a bash/ paddle both individually for fitness & local comps for the fun of the sport, and I am probably the most common type supper around as with a large percentage of others I will never be making the world tour due to age, work commitments and love of pizza with beer.

so Supa what you are saying, following down the Spock analogy is:

Its Racing Jim but now as we know it

Adapt said..

I agree with most things said, definite restrictions on length and width, but careful consideration needs to be made in relation to what dimensions these are.

Things like ease of paddling for maximum participation should be the core focus, unfortunately if sponsored athletes and the high performers dictate the sport it will die. A research into why and who SUP may shock the industry and make these changes occur. I know there is an increase in SUP surfers but the reason the sport has exploded IMO has nothing to do with the surfing side. It has more to do with the ability to walk on water, the view people can get into the water and surroundings but more importantly the fact that people of any shape or ability can do it any day of the week (including when the surf is out of control & the weather being crap) on FLAT WATER

I could rant on all day about this subject, but to open it up the sport needs to set minimum widths, length and design limitation, possible weight divisions and the majority of races for mass participation and viewer satisfaction on Flat water (this will also see SUP make it to the Olympics and mainstream)

What he said