Why does it have to be shortboard or longboard? Why not SUP style?

Although there may be some merits to splitting the surfing side of the sport into two different styles - longboard and shortboard - and Kia Kaha's idea of an event that required paddlers to surf both styles would make for a really fun event!

I think some of us may be forgetting what makes SUP a different style/discipline in itself and that is the paddle! When it comes to freesurfing I love seeing everyone out enjoying themselves on a SUP no matter what the style - it doesn't matter as long as they're having fun!

But, in my opinion, when it comes to competition, the key thing to the judging should be HOW THE SURFER UTILISES THE PADDLE TO ENHANCE THEIR PERFORMANCE ON THE WAVE.

Any good shortboarder or longboard can jump on a sup and ride it reasonably well, but so often you see riders use the paddle to catch the wave and then just hold it in their hands while they surf the wave like they would without a paddle in hand (except the board is bigger and can't be turned as tight etc.). The better surfer they are, the more they can usually do without using the paddle at all.

The paddle is what sets us apart, so when it comes to surfing, we should be using it to pull tighter turns, to get extra speed to make sections etc...

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but when it comes to some longboard tricks like noseriding (for example) I can't see a way the the paddle can be used add anything extra (sorry if I am offending any longboarders) and if the paddle is not being utilised then do these tricks have a place in SUP competition? Or similarly if people move to really short SUPs and pull tight turns/cutbacks without using the paddle at all? They may look impressive, but are they really SUP riding or just surfing with a paddle in hand?

I'm keen to see the sport progress as a discipline in itself - drawing some aspects from traditional longboard and shortboard styles - but focusing on what we can utilise the paddle for that will set us apart from either of these disciplines.

I agree Ali Cat and I think the current ISA rules say pretty much the same thing. They are scoring power moves with the paddle and although longboard moves are scored, they are not encouraged. I think the ISA rules are pretty much spot on, including part e. It seems now it is up to the clubs and surfing associations to enforce them, instead of treating sup as surfing with a paddle in your hands.

Th0m0 said...

I agree Ali Cat and I think the current ISA rules say pretty much the same thing. They are scoring power moves with the paddle and although longboard moves are scored, they are not encouraged. I think the ISA rules are pretty much spot on, including part e. It seems now it is up to the clubs and surfing associations to enforce them, instead of treating sup as surfing with a paddle in your hands.

you got it thommo.i was thinking the longboard style will drop out simply because power surfing is more in line with the surfers taking up the sport,ie tc luke occy parko,lovett etc etc.

Agree 100%,not wishing to blow smoke up your @$$ Matt,but i was of the view that your noseriding would be devalued in a comp scene,as it currently stands. As to the quote by Ali cat that he couldn't see how a paddle could be used to noseride when suping,well it can .It can be used to slow you down without the need to back peddle of the nose,you can also paddle faster to stay on the nose in a soft section , it can be used to lift your weight of the nose by putting the paddle in the wave .etc etc.It is unfortunate that many surfers do not try to noseride any l/boards or sups, as they would get a better picture of how difficult the manouvre is.Nose riding done correcly is not a parlour trick,it is done to both speed thru a section,or to slow down thru a section ,ie;hang 10.The positioning on the wave is what seperates average noseriders from from top noseriders like Matt(allrounder).It may surprise to know that short sups,not only turn more agressively,they are also better noseriders than 10 footers.imho

allrounder said...

long board moves are always going to be part off the criteria. With top guys utilising the whole board, why not nose ride, why not doing a nose 360?. On a wide nose sup, you can still jam a turn, still go hard with the board, but have the ability to mix it up. There is nothing that says its right or wrong. When your in small surf, why not nose ride. when its big surf its all off the tail, this is where the importance off selecting the right equipment. IMO...

rodriguez said...

Agree 100%,not wishing to blow smoke up your @$$ Matt,but i was of the view that your noseriding would be devalued in a comp scene,as it currently stands. As to the quote by Ali cat that he couldn't see how a paddle could be used to noseride when suping,well it can .It can be used to slow you down without the need to back peddle of the nose,you can also paddle faster to stay on the nose in a soft section , it can be used to lift your weight of the nose by putting the paddle in the wave .etc etc.It is unfortunate that many surfers do not try to noseride any l/boards or sups, as they would get a better picture of how difficult the manouvre is.Nose riding done correcly is not a parlour trick,it is done to both speed thru a section,or to slow down thru a section ,ie;hang 10.The positioning on the wave is what seperates average noseriders from from top noseriders like Matt(allrounder).It may surprise to know that short sups,not only turn more agressively,they are also better noseriders than 10 footers.imho

allrounder said...

long board moves are always going to be part off the criteria. With top guys utilising the whole board, why not nose ride, why not doing a nose 360?. On a wide nose sup, you can still jam a turn, still go hard with the board, but have the ability to mix it up. There is nothing that says its right or wrong. When your in small surf, why not nose ride. when its big surf its all off the tail, this is where the importance off selecting the right equipment. IMO...

Hey rodriguez, i'm happy to stand corrected.

The main point I was making was that IMO the paddle needs to be the key element, contributing power, control and/or speed to any manoevre in order for a good score to be recorded.

I think the current ISA criteria are spot on with where the performance end of the sport is heading and they make it pretty clear on paddle use being the most important judging criteria and other criteria are secondary.

Swanie said...

I love a passionate debate.

Yes I still think point "e" has not been worded well as it is 'absolute' and there are variables as discussed.

And it does not mean my point of view is right. It does come from a slanted point of view due to a particular need at times and if this was to effect me at clubs comps when it should be my surfing that is judged then I would be disappointed. I will not be of the standard to be at the level that just competed but it would be disappointing that if a surfer of that level was marked down for sitting and stretching a leg for examplein the lull between sets. I do believe they must be standing prior to paddling for a wave.

It would however be disappointing if contests were done with paddlers getting back out the back always in the prone position (conditions depending). I think that should be discouraged but not at the point of making it a judging point.

point taken swanie,that is why we have to get together and sort this out while the club thing is so young,chris from the goldcoast is another pres that is willing to get together.

No need to sort it out

Just enjoy the ride

Hands Mac a single malt and a comfy chair.

I gave you green thumbs, but pleased to see you wig out for once

Phill

Don't lie MAC you have some tickets its just us poor folk can't afford to buy yours
Jacko