When Nicaragua was announced as the host of the ISA Worlds and Lake Nicaragua the racing location, many were a little sceptical that we would see anything resembling a BoP style race and a downwind Marathon. However our resident ISA cheerleader told us to relax, the conditions on Lake Nicaragua were often much gnarlier than we might expect. Well, now that we've seen the course and the conditions for the races, it is clear that ISA sees the future of SUP racing as flat water events. The ISA could have quite easily chosen to conduct the "Technical" race (what the **** is a "Technical" race?) at the same location as the surfing. By the looks of those waves, a BoP race would have been very achievable. But they didn't and I can only assume it is because they are angling racing towards flat water so as to allow easier access to available venues at future Olympic Games in landlocked cities.

So the question is, if state and national titles are the pathway to the ISA Worlds, and the Worlds are flat water events, why are we running state and national titles as BoP races in the surf and open ocean downwind races? Obviously these types of races are very popular with the elite race competitors and they are absolutely valid as national championships, but should the qualifying events for the ISA World Titles be conducted in the same conditions and formats as we are seeing in Nicaragua?

We're having the same considerations here and are currently running a ranking series which includes flatwater and ocean paddling. If ISA sticks with the flatwater theme I personally think that is ok as you will have pro-events on the champions tour which will cater for the ocean paddlers and you could have best of both worlds. We'd like to get our youngsters exposed to both so that we can develop their skills for both types of racing.

Having flatwater events does, as you say, mean easier access to venues. It's more accessible to most paddlers and organisers as conditions are less likely to be blown out or impossible due to size of surf. I personally only get involved with organising pure downwind ocean races or flatwater events as I know I have a high likelyhood of being able to run my race on the day planned (we have trade-winds in summer).

No doubt the flatwater grind is not everybodys cup of tea, it takes a different mentality and set of skills - Lina Augatis is a prime example of the ideal flatwater paddler. Tough as nails and willing to grind it out. But perhaps not surprisingly, some of the best ocean paddlers in the world are also the best flatwater paddlers (Connor Baxter, Kai Lenny, Travis Grant....)

For the growth of the sport the flatwater venues create huge potential!

Goochi said..

Tech Race without waves is not a Tech Race

Short-course would be a better name - it would also be more attractive to newcomers...

PeterP said..

Goochi said..

Tech Race without waves is not a Tech Race

Short-course would be a better name - it would also be more attractive to newcomers...

Actually turning up for a Flatwater Tech Race would be like turning up to a canoeing slalom event and the guys turn the whitewater tap off and say "go for it guys" around the turning poles. As S4F says - pretty boring for competitors and spectators alike.

The most inspiring SUP race I watched was the Tech Race at the SUP Nationals last year....I was full of admiration for the girls/guys that did well in that event, as well as the ones that completed it - great spectacle, great skills IMO.

Flatwater short course, sprint, etc at the Olympics should look like this. Makes the most sense for fair single lane racing (200m and 1000m):