"Paddleboards must be less than 12' 6" and under although if you want to race an unrestricted board you can but won't be eligible for a placing."

I can't figure out why this seems to be the new trend in these races. The "doctor" is also not being very friendly to boards over 12'6". There are plenty of unlimited boards around these days so why not open things up a bit more?

kiakaha said...

I just asked the question to the organisers of the race and this is what came back.

All SUPS can race but they don't have the finance to support all divisions. But if they get a good number in each division things might change.

My view is make it unlimited as if you want to ride the fastest SUP then that should be your choice.

Do we limit ski length ? No.

Do we limit OC1 length? No

Should we limit SUP's? No.

If we can get quite a few "SUPPERS" in this race it then opens the doors for sponsorship from many surf shops etc etc

Billabong would be a great start.

The way things are going in the US suppers out number skis so what is in store for the future....

These guys are looking for Sponsors so if you are keen get in contact with them.

my feelings are, yes have 12'6 classes- good thing, but getting people who are starting racing on a board that lenght and then tell them to paddle 18k's, 24k's is just madness. sorry if that offends, but thats general feeling from discussions with people around our neck of the woods.its a hard one because of set race courses for other craft, but something that might need to be considered by race organizers
cheers

Nice work - now let's all go out there and support this event. I will be there (unless I have work commitments) on a DC16/17.

Who else is up for it?

aussiewahine said...

Just read this change on the race registration site:-

SUPs:
Any make or model, unlimited in size can be used in the event.


Also read this change:-

SUP Male - 1st $350, 2nd $100, 3rd $50

SUP Female - Prize

opps

ok what i wanted to say is to sue and other involved in local contest, as a large local business owner " kawana betta electrical " how can we get more involved in sponsorship earlier and also get some exposure to the new growing sport . I would also like to see the women with a bit more incentive to race, as they are the ones i am seeing on the sunshine coast getting more interested in the sport. I can supply a lot more prizes for local events but it has to work both ways as in most business decissions there has to be some return on investment. As a kitesurfer for over ten years now i don't want to see the same thing happen to sup, where the only businesses that have anything to do with kitesurfing contest generally are only kitesurfing products and the sport has always been very disorganised,with no real clubs or club meets and very limited chance of sponsors. we have to look at larger succesful sports in oz and the major factor is sponsors and investors from outside the sport.