It appears since the Noosa Festival, lots of retailers are now seeing just how popular SUP has become and now its time to cash in!

Over easter I have met a number of new people at my local that have recently purchased new SUPS and I have to say 2 in particular have been see coming from a country mile and that sucks.

Just a couple of points for consideration!


1) When purchasing a SUP does the retailer actually SUP themselves? If they dont, how the heck can they give you any valid or factual advice on what will and wont work for you?

2) If they do SUP how many boards have they tried out, can they really give you an objective informed opinion on what will and wont work for you? Ask them how many boards they have actually sold? Do they offer you a range of options, remember your about to lay out $ 1000 - 1500++ of your hard earned!

3) Does the retailer support the sport, or is it just another grab for cash. Are the people your dealing with putting their passion and thier hard earned behind the improvement / development of the sport? If not seriously consider one that does as it will benefit you in the long term!

Borrow as many boards as you can and take them out in all types of conditions before you make the final decision. One paddle in a perfect conditions does not a great board make!

The paddle blade size (forget the brand initially) you buy IMO has a huge impact on how well you can paddle a board and catch waves. Often changing to a smaller blade seems to miraculously change the performance of a board particularly in the surf.

Ask yourself after I walk out the door do I really believe if I have a problem that these people have the resources, relationships, integrity and volume to work with me to resolve it?

Phill

This is great advice from Phill. I don't think you can go wrong dealing with a retailer who promotes races and events and can be seen out paddling a range of boards at every opportunity.

Yeah but if I have to have a nanny looking after me, I'd prefer it was Nanny McPhill.

OG SUP said...

It appears since the Noosa Festival, lots of retailers are now seeing just how popular SUP has become and now its time to cash in!

Over easter I have met a number of new people at my local that have recently purchased new SUPS and I have to say 2 in particular have been see coming from a country mile and that sucks.

Just a couple of points for consideration!


1) When purchasing a SUP does the retailer actually SUP themselves? If they dont, how the heck can they give you any valid or factual advice on what will and wont work for you?

2) If they do SUP how many boards have they tried out, can they really give you an objective informed opinion on what will and wont work for you? Ask them how many boards they have actually sold? Do they offer you a range of options, remember your about to lay out $ 1000 - 1500++ of your hard earned!

3) Does the retailer support the sport, or is it just another grab for cash. Are the people your dealing with putting their passion and thier hard earned behind the improvement / development of the sport? If not seriously consider one that does as it will benefit you in the long term!

Borrow as many boards as you can and take them out in all types of conditions before you make the final decision. One paddle in a perfect conditions does not a great board make!

The paddle blade size (forget the brand initially) you buy IMO has a huge impact on how well you can paddle a board and catch waves. Often changing to a smaller blade seems to miraculously change the performance of a board particularly in the surf.

Ask yourself after I walk out the door do I really believe if I have a problem that these people have the resources, relationships, integrity and volume to work with me to resolve it?

Phill

Wow thats terrible, some people are probably just trying to make a living and here you are shooting them down, hope they don't read this......how about have some balls and name the retailers and what makes you an instant expert?
I agree with oliver.

Phil, the other thing you have to remember is stores nationally aren't seeing the growth they or the distributors first imagined/forecast. This is somewhat a generalisation but there are stores still trying to clear last seasons boards with new season stock on the shelf.

I'm in no way saying the sport isn't growing, it definately is. We see it every day.

Most of the major distributors have relationships with all the leading surf stores that don't focus on SUP but have a huge surfboard range from 5' to 9'+. These shops in a lot of ways will be the focus for brands as these shop fronts out number the more traditional windsurf/kitesurf stores 10 to 1 that are supporting SUP the strongest at the moment. Staff in most of the surf stores are well trained and experienced for conventional surfboards/mals although they don't SUP or have any intention to do so. However the buyer/owner has a relationship with a brand or whoever and with a little arm twisting/favours decide to put some SUP on the rack.

Until SUP is more widely available through retail we won't experience the growth that has been seen overseas. It will take time to educate staff but it will happen and the purchase decision will be made with the right advice.

As you said Phil and Oliver in a round about way, in the meantime some responsiblity needs to lie with the customer to do some research so they make the right purchase decision from the right retailer.

So I guess I agree, but brands need outlets to sell product.

OG SUP said...

Brendon,

I am surprised that suggesting a customer makes an informed decision has caused so much outrage!

I am quite happy for Laurie to remove the topic if he wishes as I am clearly out of line! I have even reported my own post.

Off to the self imposed sin bin

Have fun!

Phill

you'll never be able to buy a board in australia again. " not wanted" posters of you are being printed as we speak.

I agree with most of what you said Phil, it's just hard for every store to offer a good range with advice. With only 3 doors supporting SUP properly in Vic there isn't much of a market for distributors unless other surf stores are targeted. Otherwise it wouldn't be worth while for distributors and they wouldn't bother at all. That would suck!

Laceys Lane said

plenty of people walk into surf shops and buy the wrong board everyday.even when they are told it's not the board for them they don't listen.

I agree Laceys Lane - I have seen this so often with surfboards its not even funny. As someone once said to me "the person having the most fun is the person catching the most waves' (not stealing them he he he) But its so true - far too many people get sucked into what others are riding and what looks good. Trying to advise them that a board with a bit more volume will do wonders for their progression falls on deaf ears......case in point is my chickybabe - because she weighs all of 55kg she wants a sub 8 foot SUP board so she can carry it easier! I have told her she can stay on the 9'5" until she has mastered that. It has not gone down well! Yes she can have a smaller one I am sure but untill she masters the bottom turn and catching waves in the right spot there is no point. So why make the rest of it harder for her! Anyway thats just my view on it.