why in oz do we classify stock sup boards 12.6 and under when the unofficial world championship the molikai race classify stock class as fixed rudder under 14 ft. which makes a lot more sense than 14fters racing 16- 18 foot boards that have rudders.

excert from molikain rules ;;

Competitors can choose to race in either the traditional Paddleboard or the Stand Up Paddboard (or SUP) as a solo paddler or as a team. The solo paddlers can choose to paddle in either the unlimited class (no size limit and with a movable rudder system) or stock class (12 feet or under for paddleboard, 14 foot or under in SUP with fixed rudder).

i know a lot of peple with 14ft racing boards that don't bother racing as the classes arn't just. why don't we change now so we can be in line with overseas races which we aspire to go and race.

I agree, it's a good point.

I think there should be just two classes.. 14' and under (without rudders) "Stock class" and anything bigger (with or without rudders) "Unlimited class"

It's also a good point about forcing bigger guys to try and paddle 12'6" boards because they will never be competitive against a lighter person on the same board.

DJ

I agree if you want to be a long distance paddler , loose weight you can't handicap people because they train hard and are trim . we just need the 14ft and under fixed rudder and unlimited class

I can remember the early days of windsurfing and with the racing (regatta's) and there was a one-design board and to make it fair there was weight categories.

I knew friends that would drink gallons of water before their weigh in so they could get into a heavier class.. and then rush to the toilet before the start of the race..

DJ

anyone every heard of custom boards, you know- the boards you get made for you. you don't have to buy a 'pop out' that isn't going to suit you. it's not rocket science, if the brand boards don't do it for you get one made. the aussie manufacturers could sure do with the orders the way things are with the economy
cheers

You could have a situation where everyone is a winner if we awarded by Board Length, Age Bracket, gender and Weight Division.

Boards - Sport, under 10'6, 10'7 to 12'6, 12'7 to 14', and Unlimited (4 divisions)
Ages Groups - Juniors, Early Teens, Mid Teens, Open, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, etc (8-10 Divisions)
Gender - M&F (2 Divisions)
Weight Division - Under 150 pounds, 151-175, 176-200, 201+ (4 Divisions).

So statistically I think that is 4x8x2x4 categories, so is that 256 possible divisions / trophies / bragging rights, or is my maths seriously stuffed up ?? !!!

Nah seriously, weight division doesn't work does it.... different weights will suit different conditions on the day anyway.... Yes Lacey I agree, custom boards.

I like SUP Vic's 10'6 and under Sport Division, where you can have a crack on your surfing SUP. But the serious racing will no doubt head towards (or stick with) just 14 foot, and unlimited.

(PS - that's gold DJ !)

I did enter the 18km race in byron last week end
We were....4 SUP against about 250 ocean skis.
Nobody amongst these 250 was arguing about weight. They were just there to do their best.
I was ashamed we were only 4 of us even if the conditions were not fantastic. And I understand the molokai is on and NSW title was on the day before but still...only 4!!
So before complaining about categories, size, age and weight we should maybe just have a go. And if in the future we have numbers the organisers will cater for us, but in the meantime I think we should stop thinking too much and paddle more.
Personnally I don't care to be beaten by a longer board or a lighter paddler, I am out there to have fun and I know who I would never beat even if we were on the same board anyway.

In Melbourne last summer, we had 3 different promoters running separate events or series'. Each of these promoters is a SUP retailer, and they each had a different approach to board sizes.

In the Port Phillip Cup, the SUP Bus crew decided on a stock class of 12'6 and under. They did not officially recognise placings for any other board size.

The RPS/Starboard series of 3 races also had a stock class of 12'6 and under, but also a 10'6 and under, and a 9'6 and under class.

The SHQ series, planned for 4 races but reduced to 2 races, was unlimited with no recognition to any other classes or board sizes.

So from this distinct array of rules and regulations, one thing is clear... the 14' board was either banned or in the case of SHQ's 2 races, comfortably beaten by 17' boards. Not a single race acknowledged a 14' class. Unless these promoter/retailers can be encouraged to change their regulations, there seems to be little point in buying a 14' race board in Melbourne.

I think that without C4 making the vortice XP the 14’ category would never be there.
But now they will come out with a 12’6 because they realised Battle of paddle had a big commercial impact. And if in the future they make a good enough 16’ Todd Bradley will come up with a video convincing everybody you need to ride a 16’ and not a 14’.
So where do we go?
I paddle about 4 times a week and I might enter 3 or 4 races a year. What do you think I will take into account, pleasure or racing? I should just buy the board I prefer to paddle on.
Some weeks ago I had a good DW with mikeman. He was on his 14’ and he loves it. He would not change. I tried it and the truth is it was fantastic on some runners, really responsive like a small racing car (light lotus cabriolet kind of thing). But for me it would not be my only board because it was too demanding.
So I guess I will stay around 16’. Not to beat mike because I will go wider and more confortable anyway.
So there is a place for some guys with 14’ and even 15’. Dale has been shaping some 15’ that have a very nice feeling. In fact they are maybe the most versatile boards I have tried. Nobody wants to buy them because they think there is no place for it.
Big mistake. If you have only one board it could be the one. And travis won the unlimited in byron the saturday race with one of these 15’...
So at the end of the day just try boards and take the one you like.
I have been lucky enough to succesfully convince my wife to get a 12’6...so if there is a popular race limited to 12’6 I’ll be able to come in.(in fact I am sure a lot of us have a wife that favors paddling in easy conditions and don’t want to carry a 17’ out of the car) But if I have to paddle with this 12’6 in the under 14’ category for another race I will.
Since I don’t win anyway I’ll have the opportunity to tell everybody that was because of the board.
And to answer Phill I think everybody started to agree on under 12’6 and unlimited at some stage. I have the feeling it will prevail at the end, a bit like paddle boarding, 2 categories are far enough. But as I say, still worth buying a 14’ if you like it and if you want to do some downwind and come back to the beach surfing the last wave without breaking your last 17’ carbon weapon

We shouldn't be turning away large people from this sport just because they're large.

DJ

DJ
Where do you get all your pics?
Do you have a special team working for you?
I love them anyway

BIGFELLA said...

An interesting topic. What do people think of a handicap system based on previous times over specified distances in properly run events. Say a similar handicap system to golf for example. Would this not even up the field no matter what size shape you are and what board you paddle. Just a thought.

that has some merit. me, being the despicable person that i am , immediately started thinking about which races i could dog leading up to a big race
cheers
ps got that sort of thinking from bingo

BIGFELLA said...

People are always going to rig a handicap system but they are only cheating themselves. Winning under those circumstances would be a pretty hollow victory dont you think?

true. don't think i would do it, i don't like anybody going past me if i can help it. still happens a lot unfortunately