At $55 to surf in open and over 45 I am in. I could not Justify $200 (both divisions plus joining Surfing Aust)for The other state titles to get knockout out in the first round.
Hope they get the numbers to make a good comp!!! I will be also keen to do the Down Wind Race...

This is them isn't it?

I thought the Surfing NSW and Surfing Australia events were well run and completely unbiased in terms of judging - with qualified judges. I am hoping this will be the same.

Anyone from SUPA care to elaborate?

I heard the Central coast club were running the NSW event.

I'm confused - which is the real aus titles? How
Many Aussie title holders will there be?

teatrea said...

I get the impression surfing aus just gives sup lip service , and uses it as means to rake in a few more bucks.

I don't think we got the best deal at the Aussies this year. The day after they ran the SUP division, the surf improved heaps as per the forecast (and it was still within our scheduled window).

Excuse my ignorance but where does this money go?
Is it for fuel to run the wave machine?
Sponsors should pay for whatever it is and then it might get more people interested/ involved.
$55 is my weekly train ticket.

Insurance is all ways a major expense,

I've decided to run an aussie titles as well - send me $55 dollars and I'll send you a certificate that your a winner in whatever catagory you nominate - then you'll all be happy
If you send $70 Ill even send you a trophy and you wont even have to leave home to compete - imagine the savings and the addition to your pool room!!!!

russh said...

I've decided to run an aussie titles as well - send me $55 dollars and I'll send you a certificate that your a winner in whatever catagory you nominate - then you'll all be happy
If you send $70 Ill even send you a trophy and you wont even have to leave home to compete - imagine the savings and the addition to your pool room!!!!

But then we couldnt cry about the conditions not suiting us, or not being picked to represent our state , because we didnt qualify at state champ's, and we cant complain about the judging and how the longboards get all the attention - NO I THINK YOUR IDEA SUX cos it leaves me nothing to whinge about !

As far as Surfing Australia just in it for the money, I doubt it as stand up isnt big enough and they have their fair share of work with normal surfing events. And as far as them not getting behind it....well if people in the sport got behind it as much as they talked about it, it would probably be in a bit better place...we all want an event that suits our age group, style, surf conditions, board length, fin set up etc etc etc ...all for what some hollow victory? The way it is being run now by Surfing Aus is not perfect but in the right direction...its the chicken and egg theroy...more punters means more events...but more events means more punters. Its up to the punters to be at the begining of the development of this sport. It has not been unheard of entrants pulling out of races and surfing comps due to conditions...with the small number (in the scheme of things) that SUP has, it cant afford this and people on the outside looking in probably see it as a bit of a joke....

ASI could be seen to be in it just for the money more so than Surf Aus.... are their certs. recognised in the industry???

SASUPCrew said...

The Sth Aussies who qualified for the Nationals failed to compete simply because of cost. If we had Aussie titles for SUP surfing, Ocean & Flatwater races at the same time hosted by one state held at an accessable location, I'm sure you would have a contingent of Sth Aussies come over. Each state certainly has locations ideal for surf & race events & it would be great to see a rotating system where it becomes a true National event. Surfing Aust do hold professionally run events, however I think it would be fair to say that SUP is not their main priority!
If the coming event in NSW is run by the clubs, then perhaps we can have a National club comp leading to an eventual Aust Club Champion.
SASUPCrew, thru SA Sport & Rec grant now have a sup trailer & we're ready to come visit!

i think the clubs running an event is a great idea for sups
we are still few in numbers compared with short and long boarders
the boardriding clubs are the backbone of surfing in australia
a strong club scene all over oz would be great for the sport imo

I dont understand it either , just commenting on my personal experience.Went to the QLD State champs to support a nephew ended up entering just to make up some numbers.They had 3 girls and about 8 blokes including me a self confessed kook.Dont think the numbers represented the lack of interest in sup comps maybee the high cost had more to do with it?Wouldnt mine paying the Surf Aus joining fee if their where more sup specific events to go in!More bang for your buck so to speak! Plenty of interest in sup events , id say plenty will turn up for Sat BOP race at Currumbin.And plenty turn up for SUPSA surfing comps!Probably same with other clubs around the country.I think your kidding yourself if a traditional long board short board organization want sup to become big. Like saying Rugby League loves AFL.

SUPA are holding Open Men;s and Ladies, over 45 Men's and Ladies and Grommit's If I am not wrong, surely having a Gromitt State and Aussie championship can only be good for the sport?

teatrea said...
I think your kidding yourself if a traditional long board short board organization want sup to become big. Like saying Rugby League loves AFL.

If I was to be cynical, I would say that if Rugby League (ie News Limited) was given half a chance to run AFL as well, they would crawl over their dying grandmother to do so. That's not a comment on which is the best football code, just that the clown who runs the NRL would love to increase his business by 200%. It's a no brainer.

These people at Surfing Australia and the affiliated state bodies are professional sports administrators rather than simply weekend surfers. They don't hate SUP, they see SUP as a means to widen their reach and influence and expand their organisation.

Does it really matter who is running the comp or what title the winner will hold. Really doesn't seem to worry Kelly Slater the ASP World Champion or ISA World Champion Santiago Muniz. What matters is that the sport is being promoted in the right way to the public so it creates future interest and development of the sport. So if we are lucky enough as a SUP community to have Surfing Australia promote the sport as well as shortboards, Mals, Bodyboards and Alaia, then lucky us. If the ASI wants to do the same awesome, let them fight it out. All we need to worry about is the surfing and racing.

62mac said...

teatrea said...

Dont think because sup is new and smaller than the other
disciplines that you'll be treated any different/

Yeah right!

What makes you think this way teatrea

Im just a natural born cynic mate.