Hi all back from Germany and thought i would put down a bit of the trip details on here.

The set up and comp have definitely set a new level in race comps with it pulling more people than you see at most word class surfing comps. We got there a couple of days before it started and seen the work that was going on to put it all together and they did a great job it was like a big stadium set up with people able to sit all the way around the course and get with in touching distance of the people on the water.

There was over 80 AM paddlers 20 girl AM paddlers and 20 guy pro paddlers so there was nearly always something happening on the water.

The level of paddlers in the pro division was very high with guys from all round the world paddling and they all paddled hard from start to finish.

One of the biggest difference in the whole comp was boards and i was lucky enough to try nearly every board there and there is a huge difference between a flat water board and one that is made for ocean down winders I just hope that flat water boards don't go to much like canoes as some of them are already getting close to the line and although the sponsors where super stoked with the event they did mention that they don't want to sponsor stand up canoeing..

One thing i would like to say and that is the attitude of all the riders was first class and they really showed the true meaning of SUP in the way they all went about there business ,and to tell you the truth i have never been to a event like it before where everyone is so nice and will go out of there way to help anyone know matter who you are.

I met Robbie and spent a lot of time with him and the guy is a true champ and true role model for the sport he was treated like a full on rock star when he was there with crowds of people around him from the time he got there to the time he left.

Just another event that would not be possible with out the support of companies like Naish so all that money that people spend on boards goes back into the sport and events like this can grow as one of the biggest things i got out of the whole event was the stoke on all the AM paddlers and seeing the smiles on all there faces.

Jacko

P.S more than happy to answer any Questions about the event or the boards.

PPS Naish 14 ft board is going to fly in the open ocean cant wait to get some wind behind it.

hi, how do you think they can control the canoe based boards- regs
cheers

teatrea said...

sounds like an awesome event , when are we going to see some more in Aus.
One question what is the major difference between still water racers and downwind boards and how long where they.

Cheers

Flat water boards have the whole board in the water so full water line, No rocker some were flat bottom some where round bottom the round bottom one were faster but pretty tippy looked like a canoe more than a surf board. Main difference when paddling is how easy they are to keep at top speed and how they glide through the water where as with the naish you will push water in the flat making it harder to maintain your speed which wears you out faster. The nose on the flat water boards is more like a racing lie down paddle board rather than a surfboard shape.

So really it looks like you will need a flat water board and a downwind board to be competitive in all types of racing, don't think there is really a place for the cross over board any more as they will never win a race.. lets just hope the spono's keep seeing it as stand up surfing because that is what is selling it to them at the moment


Jacko

hey jacko off topic but does angie get a day off now your back from your travels (suppose you can call it work you lucky bugger). congrats on the results also. cheers, darryl

paul.j said...

lacey said...

hi, how do you think they can control the canoe based boards- regs
cheers

Not sure on how they will control this there are a few ideas out there but they are still just ideas. We need some one to make one of these fast flat water boards to look more like a sup. Maybe there should be know scooping the deck out which might be a start!!!!

Jacko

you know when i was looking at down wind boards,i said in one of the topic's some are looking like canoe's/ kayak's and i got bagged big time- interesting

DavidJohn said...

Good onya Jacko.. You've done great..

I sometimes cop some flack about being such a big Naish fan and I'm sure you're one person who understands..

Can't wait to get my new 14'er.. They look fantastic.. I've ordered an all white one..

I just found out that the yellow AST (cheaper version) will be here in about a week or so and the white one will be here about the second week of August.

How stable was it compaired to the 12' Glide? (btw the 12' Glide is the most stable board that I've paddled).. and what's the fin like?

DJ

Its still quite stable not quite as much as the glide but pretty good for the flat water i stood a long way forward on it which kept more of the nose in the water. I have a heap of photo's and some of the fin to I'm sure so will get them sorted out and post some. You will love it DJ

Jacko

[b]DavidJohn said...[

I sometimes cop some flack about being such a big Naish fan and I'm sure you're one person who understands..

Can't wait to get my new 14'er.. They look fantastic.. I've ordered an all white one..

DJ

How many is that now DJ 5 Naish's ? this could spark the birth of the 14 foot class in AUS.

Jacko how were the flat water boards in the rebound chop they looked pretty hard to stand on.

lacey said...


i really wish these board sizes and regulations could be set as a standard and i know its a hard one. i'm pretty interested in the racing and i've been getting my times down to a reasonable level. the 14 ft class looks the go for me. open stuff is going to be for the elite paddlers from what i can make out, very expensive too trying to keep up with the latest and greatest. even at 14 ft it looks like a flatwater and ocean board if you are half serious. i believe people are holding off until something is sorted. who wants to get a board and next year it's a no go. the sooner something is set the better for everyone and that includes the manufacturers

i agree with what you are saying, but as in ANY type of racing the craft will always be developing....and on top of that the sport is trying to find its direction, with push from different countries and their background in water sports to the companies making/marketing the stuff....

i thought i was an ok paddler till i went paddling with friends.....then i thought it may have been my board......then reality set in lol....just enjoy

Serg

The 14ft class will be the big mover this year for sure and is a better all round class than the 12'6 and with boards like the naish 14ft and at $1899 for the AST it will grow for sure. The classes are set they are 12'6(which i would like to see 100% pure stock surf boards only) 14ft fixed fin which will be the biggest class as its a good size in the ocean and also fast on the flat water, and unlimited which will be big for long ocean downwiders.

Interest is all ready high for the 14ft class so if you are keen to get out there don't wait. i will have 14 and 17 ft boards for demo very soon and have all ready pre sold 6 17ft boards so the events are already going to grow. I am 100% behind pushing the racing sense to grow to it full potential and will help anyone that is keen to get in to it so feel free to contact me for any question that you might have.

Jacko

The 14ft class is already recognised by the ISA, it is totally up to the event organisers to include it in their events.
Last season the sydney racing series held a 14ft division, so did the aust titles at coffs so hopefully we can expect the same again this year.

Jacko, did you paddle ej's board? if so how was it?