Given the data thats starting to appear on other threads I reckon its time for a grumpy update.
As you would recall in the original thread a few of us were lamenting the lack of divisions in State and National Titles and the apparent lack of direction from the sports administrators with regard to redressing this supposed imbalance. Rather than sit around and grizzle Ockanui and myself started stirring the pot round the traps to see what the state of play was and in fact could be. Ock started by going all out to attract sponsors and in fact organisational support for Over 50s divisions in the upcoming summer racing series in Vicco. From what I gather he has been successfull beyond expectations and this division will now be embedded in the SUP racing calendar.
Both Ock and myself also went on a fact finding mission to collect data with regards the age composition of the major SUP clubs around the country. Thank you so much to all those who responded with data and a big thanks to Casso for getting the ball rolling north of the border. Thus far the data states conclusively that the predominant age division in all clubs surveyed is the Over Forties. Probably of more interest is the fact that the age group with the second largest number of participants is the Over Fifties. If we are to take the data at face value and assume that the surveyed clubs represent a microcosm of the SUP scene nationally, then Surfing Australia should at least re consider the emphasis they place on particular divisions. Obviously we dont want to undermine the Open division, which is after all the sport showcase, or hinder the development of a viable junior division, the sports future. What we do want is due recognition of the majority of participants in this awesome sport/passtime/lifestyle.
Where to from here? I'm tapping this out during my lunch break at work so don't have time to access any of the aforementioned data. I will be happy to do that tonight when I get home. I hope Ock chimes in cos I know he has some great stuff tucked up his wizards sleeve. Can I say in closing that all of our data has been forwarded to the Victorian rep for the upcoming conference to take place in conjunction with the Nationals at Port Mac. I believe through his hard work the Over Fifties issue is already a tabled agenda item. Nice one Woody! However it would be pretty lame if the Victorians were the only ones banging this particular drum, so if you are passionate about this particular issue, get on to your State SUP Rep and make sure he or she is on the same page. If you cant find out who that is, get straight on to the admin of Surfing Australia or your state branch.
Anyway, gotta bail and get some lunch into me otherwise I,m likely to get even more grumpy!!
Cheers
Sparx

Nice one Sparxy - keep on it.

Maaaaate!
I dont want anyone bowing down to anyone, least of all me! As you said there are probably a pot load of beginners out there, I just dont see them competing at the National Titles. This way however, we identify where the numbers are and as well as opening up new divisions, it paves the way for junior development programs, bringing up the number of women participants and being generally more inclusive all round. As for grumpy, thats the brush we got tarred with last time, those who know us will attest to the fact that we are far from grumpy, as a matter of fact at the moment I am exceedingly happy!
All good
Cheers
Sparx

Well done sparx, great to see someone being pro-active for the sport and backing themselves enough to make a difference. Cheers

Sheesh
On a completely differnt note, now I am extremely grumpy.
Got an email from Surfing Vic telling me I had picked up the mythical last slot in the Over Forties of the SUP Surf Division....instant happy!! Then they send me another email, sorry Surfing Aus have just got back to us and they made a mistake.... youre out..... apparently there is a surfer from NSW who is ranked higher than you are and he's in. How does that work? NSW now have three reps in the Over Forties, I finished second by .25 from a field of twelve and this bloke is presumably copping a berth for finishing what?...from a field of fourteen! How do the Queenslanders feel about that?
Not happy in fact extremely grumpy!
Cheers(actully, no cheers)
Sparx

Casso said...

Cwoor - that's a bit rough.

I feel just a little sympathy for the Over 40s NSW surfer who has just received the good news only to learn he is going to be confronted by two very grumpy old men from Victoria when he gets to Port Macquarie.

Sparx said...

Sheesh
On a completely differnt note, now I am extremely grumpy.
Got an email from Surfing Vic telling me I had picked up the mythical last slot in the Over Forties of the SUP Surf Division....instant happy!! Then they send me another email, sorry Surfing Aus have just got back to us and youre out..... apparently there is a surfer from NSW who is ranked higher than you are and he's in. How does that work? NSW now have three reps in the Over Forties, I finnished second by .25 from a field of twelve and this bloke is presumably copping a berth for finishing what?...from a field of fourteen!
Not happy in fact extremely grumpy!
Cheers(actully, no cheers)
Sparx

That's a bit harsh.

From little things big things grow... a little conversation with Sparx a couple of months ago.... thanks for all the emails from Suppers around Australia who have been very supportive in this initiative to have an over 50's category included in all events be it local,State or at National level. Thanks also to SASupcrew, Goochi, Tonyleitch, Malibujet, Casso, Bass Sup, Sup Vic for supplying the age demographics of their respective Sup clubs.

What is apparent from those figures is that there are sufficient numbers of over 50's in order to support the initiative, and thanks to Pt Woody for putting the concept on the agenda at the Surfing Australian Forum at Port Mack in a couple of weeks.

This whole Sup scene in Australia is 100% positive and supportive of the inclusion of all of us embracing Stand up paddle boarding without discrimination of age or even ability, that said, it is important that this is about inclusion of all and that it will not be at the exclusion of others.

Without preempting decisions from those event organizers in Victoria, over 50's, 'Masters' will be a category in this seasons events, starting with the Peninsula Paddle event August 11.

An email of support from Kissa who will also include an over 40's and over 50's in his Ocean series is also to be congratulated.

With 20-35% of suppers over 50 and again probably those figures again in over 40's there are alot of older suppers in the marketplace supporting the retailers so it would be short sighted if the support was not in kind.

On a tangent, but having had email contact with Dave Kalama, he also is supportive of the initiative, being 48 years old, the over 50's its closer than you think! although coming second to a kid some 25 years+ younger is no mean feat.

So as a wrap up we are all getting older, although some may be denial, :-), with the Sports growth it just makes logical sense that there will be an expansion of the age categories and with careful planning, a smooth transition of event management will see an expansion in numbers attracted to such events, thus giving direction and raising the bar on our fitness and ability of those Supping in Australia, a win/win situation.....MJ

At 52 , I don't mind going in with the o'40s or opens in the Surfing..As you see in Masters life saving once the o'50s are catered for, to be fair and equitable to all ,you must make age categories available for all through to over 70's.

surf4fun said...

HumanCartoon said...

surf4fun said...

And given there are more than likely more beginners out there than experienced paddlers should we be including them as well?

Why not? Everyone was a beginner once. Inclusiveness is good. Beginners are where the growth is, let's not lose sight of that...

Isn't the purpose of the Australian Titles to find out who the best in Australia is?

I meant in the broader competition agenda of the sport, not the National titles. Just as the 0 50's agenda is growing support, locally we've been exploring beginner/fun divisions at local and club-level events. Juniors too.
Just as the O50's agenda is also about promoting that division at local/club events, not just the high-level competitions (that's in Sparx's first paragraph).

Well done Sparx & Ockanui on the inititive & having this tabled at the nationals. We are extremely lucky to have a national body that has so far been very receptive to the ideas our state representatives put forward & to be so pro active for such a new sport. Looking forward to the outcome!

Sparx said...

Casso
Tell me it's Goaty and I will STFU. He probably deserves it as much as anyone. I guess I'm just p...ed at the way it went down. Been chasing that spot since Feb and to get told youre in and then youre out all between four and five tonight just sux. Anyway beers are going down a treat and the scotch beckons.
Soon to be cheers
Sparx

Dunno who it is. Drink up!

Well done mj and sparx and all involved

Well done guys.
Now to throw in a couple of other points.
1. What about an O 60's division.
2. At the recent Coast of Origin on the Sunshine Coast a couple of weeks ago there was some discussion re divisions for board lengths. This came about because the judging is based on shortboard style surfing. This is great for the younger guys with a shortboard background but from those of us elder gents from a more traditional longboard background we are behind the eight ball right from the start. There was discussion re a 9'+ and a 9'- categories. No reason anyone couldn't enter both if they wanted to as long as boards comply. This evens the playing field for everyone.
Your thoughts?

Casso said...

Sparx said...

Casso
Tell me it's Goaty and I will STFU. He probably deserves it as much as anyone. I guess I'm just p...ed at the way it went down. Been chasing that spot since Feb and to get told youre in and then youre out all between four and five tonight just sux. Anyway beers are going down a treat and the scotch beckons.
Soon to be cheers
Sparx

Dunno who it is. Drink up!

Not me as far as I know, probably Mick Davies.

Nsw get extra slot as we are clearly the best state enough said