So I have been a windsurfer for almost 25 years, learning when I was very young and taking that through to competing all over the country in national and international competition. But recently I have had the realisation that even though I still sail and love it I would probably say that SUP is now my primary sport.

I now have the whole family into SUP, have a few boards and are looking at getting yet another one. While my windsurf quiver has shrunk to about as small as possible.

I'm just interested in who has found themselves in a similar position, or alternately SUP is just a secondary sport and will stay that way?

Yeah I am with you CMC. I have shortboarded for over 30 odd years and when its pumping its a no brainer as to what I would choose. However given its rarely pumping when I am not working I would probably find that I would be SUPing more these days. Still borrowing a SUP and cant wait to get my own, when I do who knows SUP may take over from my shortboard. Already looking at selling one of my boards (my prized 6'1 Rusty Fish) to put towards a SUP.

SUP has definitely become No. 1 for me. Only take the shortboard out once every few months or so now and when I do, it feels strange on the wave without a paddle in hand.
The only decision now is which type of supping to do, can be a tough choice if the surf is pumping when I know I'm suppose to be training on the creek.

SUPs no 1 still ride a long board but very often get four times the waves on a SUP , just getting into flat water .

goatman said...

SUP no 1 now, ridden shorty twice in 20 months. Haven't found a wave I can't ride the SUP on yet. Mtn Biking second and have just discovered DW

Agree, sold my shortboards and don't really miss them. Since getting a 8'6 SUP there has not been a day I would have preferred the shorty

When its on - definately my longboard

When its very small - surf sup

When its somewhere in between - depends on where my heads at that day and whether I want to deal with crowds. If its crowded I can always find somewhere to sup on my own because it opens up so many more options but if I have the patience to deal with the crowds then I will ride the mal because its easier to handle and much safer in a busy lineup.

goatman said...

SUP no 1 now, ridden shorty twice in 20 months. Haven't found a wave I can't ride the SUP on yet. Mtn Biking second and have just discovered DW

You've only just discovered dirty weekends?

i am a windsurfer of old - 30 years - where has time gone. Started surfing at 45, and a couple of years ago commenced SUP. Initially it was a big mistake as i had no balance and then changed to a Starboard 9'8" which got me into the waves and got me hooked. Mid 2010 i changed to a DC 9 after trying a couple of C4s and that took me up the next notch. Now also have a Starboard 14' and am really enjoying paddling that. Overall apart from being fun i am sure my core fitness and balance has improved with the result that surfing and windsurfing have also changed. as a result SUP is now No1.

i am in a longboard club and some of them hate sup. i was out on Monday here on a perfect day - no wind, sea like glass and some good sets coming through. At the end of the session a few of the surfers said it looks like fun and want to try it. Maybe it is rubbing off.

On another matter Kai Lenny was here last year after Sunset and i met him on a couple of occassions. He is very level headed and i was very impressed with him. What a great boost for the sport to have young people involved at the highest levels.

2ft - 3ft and under then its sup

Above that its shortboard unless its fat, weak or really uncrowded as I wont ride my sup in a crowded line up when its over 2 or 3ft, I just dont want to hurt anyone

When the beachies are 5 - 6ft then its into the bay for really fun little waves that run for ever with no crowd whatsoever

Shortboarding will always be No 1 but if I had a surfing sup then that might change a bit

Also the sup is a great training tool in flat water and for small waves which gets me in the water much more than ever before and I will now always ride a sup

Also just got a cheap kayak for staying in the water on those really windy days you dont surf or sup

Surfing is No 1, SUP No 2, Kayaking No 3

Would love to give kiteboarding a go, I reckon that would open up a whole new world of fun

Good thread

sup is definately #1 at least through 3/4 of year, skiing #2, tennis 3
moved from newy to country vic 27yrs ago and took up windsurfing and skiing. 2yrs ago tried sup at a windsurf comp and was reborn. I just love it. At age 49 it has re-vitalised me and all I have to do now is move to the coast.

Surfed short and long boards for over 20yrs, now sup is my go to board 99% of the time.
you boys are really missing out if you dont think sup when its over 4ft that's when it really gets fun. Plenty of paddle speed to get in early nice drop heaps of time to set it up dig your paddle,big bottom turn then gouge its eyes out nothing like doing a big power turn with 9-10ft of board swinging round.
the only thing I miss from the other two is Barrels and duck dives

In the surf the SUP is my first weapon of choice.

In other things it has dropped back to number 3. Kiteboarding is much more practical and fun when there is wind around and true no wind days are so rare that I don't have a long SUP anymore.

I would like to get another flat water/hybrid surf SUP sometime but I'm waiting for them to get a bit lighter and better.

Anybody know if the PSH hybrids are going to make it to market?

cruiza said...

Been surfing for 30 years, kitesurfing for 3 years and SUPing for 2 months and now I SUP every day in the surf or flat water. Have only been surfing about 5 times since I got my SUP and I feel like I'm being unfaithful. I would kite every day if I could but I can't cause of the wind and thats why SUPing is so unreal cause it gets me in the water every day regardless of conditions and is getting me really fit.

i agree with you mate. can pretty much get my sup out anytime. mind you i was told three years ago that the only water sports id be doing would be wearin a nappy or find some german friends. so to be just in the water is beautiful. i also strret sup now,bloody love it. stick is handy for junkies in southport as well. love being stoked.

Great question. When I first started stand up paddling, I kept telling myself, its only for flat water cruising and staying in shape for winter surf. That I would never abandon my shortboards and guns. But once I started sup surfing waves it changed me instantly. No question, SUP is ranked #1 for me, has been for 3 1/2 yrs now.

I will occasionally tell myself, I will return to shortboards. But the truth is SUP still offers such an unreal challenge, not to mention all out FUN, I am not sure when/if I will ever return!