I've been thinking about the whole SUPA and Surfing Australia issue, peoples for and against arguments, but alot seemed to be negatives rather then moving forward.

So rather then giving the two organisations that are trying to help SUP into the future an ear bashing, how about we as a segment of the SUP community offer suggestions of what we would like to see them do for our sport in the future.

Here are some of the opinions I've heard along the way and some of my own opinions:

Development
1. Clubs - Help new and existing clubs organise a strategic plan that creates participation and promotion of SUP within the local community. Offer where required assistance to gain permits, insurances, sponsership and guidence in how to effectively promote SUP in a positive way.

2. Junior development - Create greater participation of juniors within the sport through grass roots programs (e.g. learn to SUP sessions, public awareness campaigns etc). This should also lead into intermediate and advanced SUP surfing and race training.

Promotion
1. Create greater public awareness through promotion of the sport in a positive manner, through events, media releases and trade shows.

2. More stand alone SUP events organised. Similar to how Surfing QLD, Australia, SLSA and other sporting bodies organise to promote their sports with the main focus being on their specific sport.

Sponsership
1. Gain sponsership from SUP and other companies that want to see the sport develop. Mutual agreements reached that promote the sponsers but the major focus is on sports promotion.

There's just a few to get the ball rolling. So stop the bickering and lets make this constructive so if one of the organisations every want to do some research into what the SUP community want they may find this.

As a person who has spent a couple of years putting a club together up here I have to say I have had great support from Surfing Qld. I have also heard that the SUPA group offer the same support so I am not one to knock them either.

My only issue is that a club or members must be affiliated to the organisation so they can participate in that organisations sanction events. This means that they missed the other organisations events. Frustrating......

Both organisations are organising great events so it is a hard decision as to which one to align with and I feel that the average member is the one missing out by the conflict. It would be good if all events were available to all clubs regardless of affiliation. The problem is then which insurance...

If both organisations used the same insurer and the insurer agreed to both groups at mutual events we would not have such an issue. Then again they are both businesses in competition with each other.

PTWoody said...

Just one suggestion from me:

Instead of trying to take over the sport in a bloodless coup, why not actually work with the existing clubs and state bodies who are already organising events? This just seems kind of obvious to me.

Good point.

The main thing here is participation.... If we the riders of these stand up paddle boards dont go out there and surport the events by entering them there will be no events.
So if you want the sport to grow in anyway go join your local club or enter a local race, no matter what level your at im sure there is some enjoyment to be had!
So no matter who is running the event why not just try and surport it in anyway we can

PTWoody said...

Just one suggestion from me:

Instead of trying to take over the sport in a bloodless coup, why not actually work with the existing clubs and state bodies who are already organising events? This just seems kind of obvious to me.

Surfing Australia and ancilliary state arm will in all liklihood never have the funds to employ a dedicated SUP Development Officer. Perhaps SUPA could take on the role of the SUP consultant for Surfing Australia and state bodies.
Adapt also hit the nail on the head with promoting to Juniors and building the next generation of riders now.