adolf said...

I was attracted to SUP a few years ago cause of it's simplicity, just a board and a paddle. Easy to put on the roof of your car and pull off for a paddle. People looked at you with curiosity. Now they look at you with either hatred, envy, sympathy or like you've lost the plot. SUP has got a weird vibe.

It's Friday night, I'm guessing a few of you are on the turps and will have views on this - here's my view.

What's spoiling it for me is that a lot of it seems to be about gear and trying to somehow look good. A paddle and a SUP isn't enough to cut it: you need brand loyalty, you need a camel back, you need 6 SUPS for every wind/wave condition, you need special rashies, you need cameras to photograph every moment, you need to have a waterproof music machine to accompany you, you need to have two way radios - have I left something out, I'm sure I have. It's more about racing and competitions, than relaxing and having a bit of fun. It seems to have become much more of a fashion than an activity.

for me, i like surfing and dw ing, i like dw ing a lot. i do train and pay attention to technique because i like to be fit and get as many runners as i can.

racing is ok, but for me its just the pureness of the ocean,wind,friends and myself

i think too much is built up on the race stuff- probably commercially driven i suppose, but get me in a race and yeah instinct takes over, well as much as possible for my age and talent.

i don't think the sup surfing comps will ever be really big. its a bit like rugby union- better to play then watch. you get more action at any local shortboard riders comp imo.

bop will be bigger- its something people like to watch.

as the they say - just do it- whatver you want to do

cheers

ps the people i train with, well its almost like racing three times a week

I agree to disagree, turning up to have a surf is filled with mixed feelings given the amount of dislike for Sup that seems to becoming an entwined pastime, I do enjoy going out on the bay with fellow suppers as that whole sentiment is irrelevant and the feeling of sup is one of shared enjoyment, the competition angle is one for me to test and improve fitness, sorry my trophy cabinet is bare, but I think you would agree, the more you get into it if you can afford a sup for various conditions, be it flat water or surf becomes an inevitable outcome, I still have a number of short boards and mals as testamount to that, but when it comes down to it, the simplicity of the sport, both sup and surf is where my passion lies therein the individual enjoyment prevails, I just wish the sport had been around in its current form years ago when I was younger in order to be able to push the limits of what is possible for me, I think that everyone I have met who is into sup, is genuinely enthusiastic in sharing the vibe.

Scotty88 said...

You don't need all the things you mentioned. You just need to have fun.
Whether fun means hitting the water at 6am for a hard training session, cruising up a river or just having a surf. Don't look into it too hard. Just enjoy yourself. As for on the turps tonight, I'm just about to grab my 1st. Keep SUPing.

Yeah, haven't had my car for a while and haven't been out for weeks. Made the mistake of reading all the bitching and arm flexing on this forum instead, and am starting to get a false perception of what it's all about.

Really looking forward to buying my van and going to Johanna, Bear Gully, Bay of Islands for a long w/e soon.

"Am I an old hippie or out of touch?"

Adolf , I recon you may be both of the above

yes your right , It can be complicated but only if you let it.

I only started paddleing half way through last year .

and it was almost a meditation thing for me just paddleing on flat water, with the birds and fish etc. so easy just come home from work and chuck her in and go.

then a gradual desire to surf it took over . and that ment i had to travel that little bit futher to get to the grouse waves . and there i go starting to complicate this cruisy medatation thing !!!

adolf said...

Scotty88 said...

You don't need all the things you mentioned. You just need to have fun.
Whether fun means hitting the water at 6am for a hard training session, cruising up a river or just having a surf. Don't look into it too hard. Just enjoy yourself. As for on the turps tonight, I'm just about to grab my 1st. Keep SUPing.

Yeah, haven't had my car for a while and haven't been out for weeks. Made the mistake of reading all the bitching and arm flexing on this forum instead, and am starting to get a false perception of what it's all about.

Really looking forward to buying my van and going to Johanna, Bear Gully, Bay of Islands for
a long w/e soon.

Buy that van and head off into the sunset and enjoy. Mate, I had a 2k paddle this arvo (that's right 2k ). That's all I had time for and it was worth it. The water was glassy and I took in a wonderful sunset along the way. There is something about being out there on the the water and being at peace with the world.

Adolf dear Adolf, life, sport and drinking alcohol is what you interpret it to be. Just have fun!!! 80% of the crap on here is tongue in cheek, try to work out the BS,irony and sarcasm from the truth and have fun.
PS. Gin and Tonics can make you depressed.

It's Friday night, I'm guessing a few of you are on the turps and will have views on this - here's my view.

What's spoiling it for me is that a lot of it seems to be about gear and trying to somehow look good. A paddle and a SUP isn't enough to cut it: you need brand loyalty, you need a camel back, you need 6 SUPS for every wind/wave condition, you need special rashies, you need cameras to photograph every moment, you need to have a waterproof music machine to accompany you, you need to have two way radios - have I left something out, I'm sure I have. much more of a fashion than an activity.

Hey Adolf ya forgot the new training bra, crap i mean grip that being promoted not that long ago.

MIKO said...


Hey Adolf ya forgot the new training bra, crap i mean grip that being promoted not that long ago.

Thanks Miko,

I think I ran into you at Kindness house this arvo.

Were you the guy with the pony tail and pointy shoes wearing the chain mail suit, making those awful smelling farts - who was rabbiting on to me about Egyptology?

I was the dwarf wearing the Daniel Boon style raccoon hat with the bright green vest.

log man said...

I might just say that's 5 bucks more expensive than Scotty 88 charges but he has really rough hands..... just saying!!

Yeah, I reckon scotty 88 is going to regret saying that in the morning.

Not the fact that he gives cheap hand jobs, but cause he's neglected to use moisturizer.