ohhhh feck lacey - you've done it again hahaha

Apart from simple economics - one of the main readons I am organising our surf races down here on surf sups is because its safer and more fun for both the competitor and spectator when people are on boards better designed to get out through surf and back in on waves, and as such way less carnage.
Who was the brain surgeon who actually came up with the idea of using non-surfing sups for racing in the surf anyway - its never made an ounce of sense to me.

BOP on surf sups is affordable (everyones already got one) its fun (you get to actually surf them in) its way safer for other paddlers (cos you stay on them) and its easier to transport and store equipment.

laceys lane said..

joe blow pro trys to climb a 6' wave but loses it. hardcore amateur is right behind him and cops the board right in the head. splits his melon in two and died instantly.

can't see the spectators and sponsors being interested in that.

the sport can't afford a serious injury little lone a death. just look the surf live saving movement.

i think it has to be for bop style races. the paddles are a weapon enough already.

paddlers are completely zoned in on racing not about what or where the other paddler is. aussie races tend to be in surf

would you want to be the guy or gal who cause a major incident

surf4fun said...

At our recent state round in Denmark a competitor had fallen off a wave, came up, looked back only to see another competitor at the top of a wave bail shooting their board forward. The board was heading directly for them and there was no way to get out if the way, it was only by a matter of luck they were able to slightly turn and not cop the pointy end of a 14" board directly in the spine. It ended up leaving a very large bruise approx 5cm from their spine and very stiff and sore immediately after and the next day. SUP WA are now looking into grants similar to those the Sunshine Coast club received to purchase a fleet of inflatable race boards.

ok guys, stop changing the goal posts. I and others have clearly said "ELITE" paddlers on normal boards. I think inflatables are a great idea from a family one board does it all, to club racing if thats what you want. But again, is it where the pinicle of the sport should be?

It also brings home what I have been saying regarding board length and BB just touched on it as well. IMO the board length, for BOP in surf, in Oz should be shorter. WTF are you doing paddling 14 foot boards in 6 foot surf! haha but seriously, it would not be my choice in a comp setting. Really, how much open water are you going to be in, in a BOP race in 6 foot surf, where 14 foot is going to be a stand out advantage??? Surely a smaller board say 10.6, designed to a good surfer and paddle out in surf board would make more sense here???

The Aussies keep getting brought up....give me a break. And ask yourself this, are the authorites looking into craft or the administration of those events! BTW it was 1 clubbie board, 1 surf boat and 1 ski that were the craft used during those tragic incidents............

So maybe it comes more down to the time, place and paddlers rather than the type of board. Yes inflatables definitely have their place, but Lacey, im not sure what you are worried about, the alley training groups cause more carnage than the BOP racers in Oz

Now, if inflatables take off and get developed, it could be a moot point. Given mass plays a roll in force, and if they can be made as ridgid as aluminium, how much difference will they make???? BUt could solve the transport issue for sure....but again as it grows and if money follows, I doubt the top riders worry as the board companies will sort boards for them no matter where they are.

pumpnjump said..

husq2100 said..

pumpnjump said..

Inflatables and their technology are going to improve far faster than their carbon/glass counterparts. Recent patent applications have inflatable masts stiffer than their aluminum counterparts for the same diameter, material technology will be pushed by market demand which will be far greater for a sup you can fit in a backpack.

sounds great! do you have any links to this tech?

ha insider knowledge, and I have seen the video, can't say anymore, but if you wish to search patent offices in Europe I,m sure you will find it!:-)

thanks, what sort of psi is required?

husq2100 said..


It also brings home what I have been saying regarding board length and BB just touched on it as well. IMO the board length, for BOP in surf, in Oz should be shorter. WTF are you doing paddling 14 foot boards in 6 foot surf! haha but seriously, it would not be my choice in a comp setting. Really, how much open water are you going to be in, in a BOP race in 6 foot surf, where 14 foot is going to be a stand out advantage??? Surely a smaller board say 10.6, designed to a good surfer and paddle out in surf board would make more sense here???

Pretty much every elite international BOP race ever run seems to have been in 2' waves at most with the majority of the course out the back in flat water. Who wants to slog away on a 10'6" board on flat water? It would be interesting though, to raise this on Stand Up Zone, where the tone of the joint is to push everything towards Unlimited so the big boys can play. They say 12'6" is a category for 160 pound jockeys. What would be the ideal size in a 10'6" category?

PTWoody said..

husq2100 said..


It also brings home what I have been saying regarding board length and BB just touched on it as well. IMO the board length, for BOP in surf, in Oz should be shorter. WTF are you doing paddling 14 foot boards in 6 foot surf! haha but seriously, it would not be my choice in a comp setting. Really, how much open water are you going to be in, in a BOP race in 6 foot surf, where 14 foot is going to be a stand out advantage??? Surely a smaller board say 10.6, designed to a good surfer and paddle out in surf board would make more sense here???

Pretty much every elite international BOP race ever run seems to have been in 2' waves at most with the majority of the course out the back in flat water. Who wants to slog away on a 10'6" board on flat water? It would be interesting though, to raise this on Stand Up Zone, where the tone of the joint is to push everything towards Unlimited so the big boys can play. They say 12'6" is a category for 160 pound jockeys. What would be the ideal size in a 10'6" category?

yes I agree, that is until you introduce real surf....but lets not get away from the original topic. Inflatables, will they prove to be fast enough for the elite, if so will they still have the safety margine that some seem so desperate for?

I think they could be good at a lower level, but does that mean as a novice I can then not use my 12.6 epoxy board?

husq2100 said..

PTWoody said..

husq2100 said..


It also brings home what I have been saying regarding board length and BB just touched on it as well. IMO the board length, for BOP in surf, in Oz should be shorter. WTF are you doing paddling 14 foot boards in 6 foot surf! haha but seriously, it would not be my choice in a comp setting. Really, how much open water are you going to be in, in a BOP race in 6 foot surf, where 14 foot is going to be a stand out advantage??? Surely a smaller board say 10.6, designed to a good surfer and paddle out in surf board would make more sense here???

Pretty much every elite international BOP race ever run seems to have been in 2' waves at most with the majority of the course out the back in flat water. Who wants to slog away on a 10'6" board on flat water? It would be interesting though, to raise this on Stand Up Zone, where the tone of the joint is to push everything towards Unlimited so the big boys can play. They say 12'6" is a category for 160 pound jockeys. What would be the ideal size in a 10'6" category?

yes I agree, that is until you introduce real surf....but lets not get away from the original topic. Inflatables, will they prove to be fast enough for the elite, if so will they still have the safety margine that some seem so desperate for?

I think they could be good at a lower level, but does that mean as a novice I can then not use my 12.6 epoxy board?

If you were to introduce these boards JUST for safety, then there would need to be quantifiable benefits gleaned from laboratory testing - in other words, crash test dummies. I have no idea whether a 10kg carbon board does more head impact damage than a 10kg inflatable at maximum psi. Logic says the inflatable would be less damaging, but if the inflated pressure is so high that there's no give, then you'd have to assume there's no difference.

Ill take being run over by and inflatable any day. Have copped a big whack to the noggin from a race board and i can tell you , it hurtsAs some one said not for the pros so much , but definately worthwhile for the ametuers

husq2100 said..

So maybe it comes more down to the time, place and paddlers rather than the type of board. Yes inflatables definitely have their place, but Lacey, im not sure what you are worried about, the alley training groups cause more carnage than the BOP racers in Oz

.

Bam!!!


ahahahahhahahahhahhah

Gorgo said..

teatrea said..

Ill take being run over by and inflatable any day. Have copped a big whack to the noggin from a race board and i can tell you , it hurtsAs some one said not for the pros so much , but definately worthwhile for the ametuers

Would not 13-15kg of inflatable pumped up to 18psi hit you just as hard as a conventional board? For an inflatable SUP to be any good they will have to be as rigid as a normal board. I am hopeful that they will succeed but I'm not holding my breath.

BTW What useful purpose does whacking a couple of aluminium spars down the side of a SUP do? I cannot imagine the board gaining much rigidity from it.

Dont know , When i get to ride one in a few weeks , Ill get Lacey to smack me over the head with both and Ill let you know.I think the inflatables even if pumped up to that would still have some give in them

Husq mines full of **** , and still pretty hard

greenleader said..

maybe some junior lifesavers would still be alive if inflatables were applied as clubby boards in comps...just sayin.

OR helmets!

If safety is such as issue why not make helmets compulsory as they are in Whitewater canoeing and Mtn Bike Racing (which is about 50 times more dangerous BTW and attracts hundreds to races). Hell chuck in a PFD/Impact jacket as well!

Inflatables for 'fun' events, normal boards for State and Aussies please!!!

goatman said..

greenleader said..

maybe some junior lifesavers would still be alive if inflatables were applied as clubby boards in comps...just sayin.

OR helmets!

If safety is such as issue why not make helmets compulsory as they are in Whitewater canoeing and Mtn Bike Racing (which is about 50 times more dangerous BTW and attracts hundreds to races). Hell chuck in a PFD/Impact jacket as well!

Inflatables for 'fun' events, normal boards for State and Aussies please!!!

I know you have probably worn a helmet in the water being the former GoatBoat king, but I dont think they are great in the ocean given the extra surface area they provide to the head and leverage this creates on the neck. Just my opinion, plus im yet to find a helemt that doesnt play with my peripheral vision somewhat (which is already limited)

goatman said..

greenleader said..

maybe some junior lifesavers would still be alive if inflatables were applied as clubby boards in comps...just sayin.

OR helmets!

If safety is such as issue why not make helmets compulsory as they are in Whitewater canoeing and Mtn Bike Racing (which is about 50 times more dangerous BTW and attracts hundreds to races). Hell chuck in a PFD/Impact jacket as well!

Inflatables for 'fun' events, normal boards for State and Aussies please!!!

i was thinking this might end up happen. didn't jake do some race last year and the competitors all wore helmets.

an article in the bully had some clubbie boat crew using them now

husq2100 said..

goatman said..

greenleader said..

maybe some junior lifesavers would still be alive if inflatables were applied as clubby boards in comps...just sayin.

OR helmets!

If safety is such as issue why not make helmets compulsory as they are in Whitewater canoeing and Mtn Bike Racing (which is about 50 times more dangerous BTW and attracts hundreds to races). Hell chuck in a PFD/Impact jacket as well!

Inflatables for 'fun' events, normal boards for State and Aussies please!!!

I know you have probably worn a helmet in the water being the former GoatBoat king, but I dont think they are great in the ocean given the extra surface area they provide to the head and leverage this creates on the neck. Just my opinion, plus im yet to find a helemt that doesnt play with my peripheral vision somewhat (which is already limited)

Nah Husq not in small surf, plus the new Gaths for example are super light, vision is brilliant.