BOP 2014 - goodbye Doheny... good or bad?

[SUP CPA]

Between limited parking within walking distance and a solid swell it will be interesting. I'm guessing this may be the first and last time at Creek for this event. Not a real SUP friendly spot with these conditions but a beautiful spot for sure though.

I'm hoping it's the first, last, and only BOP at Salt Creek.  What will be missing is the family-friendly surfing between races and the board demos, which I understand will be limited or non-existant this year.  I think if race participation is down this year the loss of revenue could be a motivating factor to move the event back to Doho.

[southwesterly]

On the cam this morning, I see 40 or so guys surfing and not one stand up guy. Is this really the ideal location for an all out SUP invasion?

[surfcowboy]

I'm putting in a plan B for tomorrow. I'll be there, at least for a bit, but if there's not a fun spot to surf and demo I'll be heading somewhere South to surf a bit.

Demos draw me as much or more than racing and SC doesn't look to be friendly to that.

Also, how does this help "the vibe" between surfers if an event robs them of one of the better days of the year?

[PonoBill]

I think it will be a tremendous spectator event and a good race if the starts are well managed  joking aside, i think most of us know how to get out of the water but it could get messy if there are a lot of people finishing at once  one runaway board could do some damage   good luck and good wishes to the board handlers 

no matter what this is going to be a unique and exciting weekend.  im looking forward to it greatly 

i doubt that the organizers had a real choice in where to hold this, other than to not do it at all.  theres real animosity in the administration of doheny, i bet the permitting was simply impossible 

[SlatchJim]

Last year at the BoP, I surfed for most of the day south of the hammer as the events went off.  I don't see that happening at all at SC.

[kayadogg]

I'm hoping it's the first, last, and only BOP at Salt Creek.  What will be missing is the family-friendly surfing between races and the board demos, which I understand will be limited or non-existant this year.  I think if race participation is down this year the loss of revenue could be a motivating factor to move the event back to Doho.

I heard from someone that is involved with the race that whatever bridge there was between the BOP and Doho/State Parks has been obliterated and will not be back there. I hope that's not true. The reality is that nobody really knows the reality, except for Barrett and probably a few others. Regardless, I'm also really looking forward to this weekend, as a participant and as a spectator. It may not be the most SUP-friendly spot but how can you argue against an absolutely beautiful location, warm water, warm weather, hundreds if not thousands of SUP enthusiasts, some real waves and some friendly and serious competition. And a beer garden. I can think of worse ways to spend a weekend.

[Tom]

Theres a 6 page thread about this by our friends over at surfer magazine forum http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2163043&page=1

here's a telling quote

Re: Only Stop for the Battle of the Paddle Just Announced.....Salt Creek [Re: Rickoray]
keenfish Offline
Tom Curren status
**

Registered: 05/12/02
Posts: 11781
Loc: 33.6212,-117.9447   
I was instrumental in getting the venue changed from Doho to Creek.

I did it because I just wanted to see them all flailing in conditions that they would not be able to handle. After this event it will take care of itself.

Don't kill the messenger. I did this as a way to put the kibosh on future fvckery at spots like this.

You're welcome.

I think they think messing up the BOP will somehow effect the growth of SUping,.

[Bulky]

Theres a 6 page thread about this by our friends over at surfer magazine forum http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2163043&page=1

here's a telling quote

Re: Only Stop for the Battle of the Paddle Just Announced.....Salt Creek [Re: Rickoray]
keenfish Offline
Tom Curren status
**

Registered: 05/12/02
Posts: 11781
Loc: 33.6212,-117.9447   
I was instrumental in getting the venue changed from Doho to Creek.

I did it because I just wanted to see them all flailing in conditions that they would not be able to handle. After this event it will take care of itself.

Don't kill the messenger. I did this as a way to put the kibosh on future fvckery at spots like this.

You're welcome.

I think they think messing up the BOP will somehow effect the growth of SUping,.

Crap.  Those evil geniuses did it.  I'm throwing away all my gear and never SUPing again.  We had a good run while it lasted.  I shall miss all you Zoners.

[SlatchJim]

Re: Only Stop for the Battle of the Paddle Just Announced.....Salt Creek [Re: Rickoray]
keenfish Offline
Tom Curren status
**

Registered: 05/12/02
Posts: 11781
Loc: 33.6212,-117.9447   
I was instrumental in getting the venue changed from Doho to Creek.

I did it because I just wanted to see them all flailing in conditions that they would not be able to handle. After this event it will take care of itself.

Don't kill the messenger. I did this as a way to put the kibosh on future fvckery at spots like this.

You're welcome.

And there is a rule about someone that has to say they were instrumental: They weren't.

[pdxmike]

If there are problems with the venue, I hope people who point them out, and who argue for other venues in the post-event discussions, won't be painted as whiners, complainers, etc. although you know that will happen.  Also, it can be intimidating to even say anything when you've got all the rah-rah stoke stuff going on.  People also need to remember that a huge part of what's great about the event isn't location-specific, so a positive experience at a venue doesn't prove the venue is good, or vice versa.  Questioning the venue doesn't mean isn't the same as questioning the event, just as being enthusiastic for the event isn't an endorsement of the venue. 


That all seems obvious, but I know from experience it takes a while to wade through all the emotion to the point where people with different views can talk objectively and realize everyone's on the same side overall. 

[SUPcheat]

And there is a rule about someone that has to say they were instrumental: They weren't.

Maybe he is just admitting he is a tool.

After reading the surfer article, even I hate SUP now.  Get out of the water, you guys, I am the only SUP in the universe, it is MINE, ALL MINE!

[Tom]

The venue change all comes down to the BOP being a victim of their success. There really isn't a beach big enough to handle the number of participants, spectators and vendors anywhere suitable.  Beach access is a limited resource in Southern California and it is hard to justify shutting down a beach for a specialized event. We have similar events in San Diego that I am not interested and I get a bit annoyed that I can't go to Mission Bay when they have the Thunder Boats weekend or when I can't get to and from my house when they have the Rock and Roll Marathon. I don't try to stop them or spray paint graffiti expressing my first amendment rights,  but I'd rather they went somewhere else. I'm sure that's the feeling of a lot of people who regularly use DoHo and Salt Creek.

[JayInSoCal]

The venue change all comes down to the BOP being a victim of their success. There really isn't a beach big enough to handle the number of participants, spectators and vendors anywhere suitable.  Beach access is a limited resource in Southern California and it is hard to justify shutting down a beach for a specialized event. We have similar events in San Diego that I am not interested and I get a bit annoyed that I can't go to Mission Bay when they have the Thunder Boats weekend or when I can't get to and from my house when they have the Rock and Roll Marathon. I don't try to stop them or spray paint graffiti expressing my first amendment rights,  but I'd rather they went somewhere else. I'm sure that's the feeling of a lot of people who regularly use DoHo and Salt Creek.

I don't think it's hard to justify these events at all.  This is why permits are paid for and granted for such events.  Some short boarder who surfs for 4 hours at SC, generates $4 in parking for the city.  BOP brings a lot of money to Dana Point.  Hotels, restaurants, and bars are a small sample of the businesses that benefit from this event.  Also, fringe businesses like shuttle buses, the setup crews, pretty much everything that comes along with large events.  It's a inconvenience to the locals for two days, the whiners will survive.

[kayadogg]

And the pics are starting to come in... already reports of at least 6 broken race boards.  Must be nice to be a team rider this weekend.

[JayInSoCal]

Holy shit...I might end up being a paying spectator tomorrow. 


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