SUP Racing Classes

[greatdane]

Shape: That's a good lookin' garage! 
Question:  I noticed a lot of the top guys were paddling 12'6" boards at Battle Of The Paddle.  I think Chuck Patterson's Hobie was the same...  did they choose this length because of the conditions or was there a class restriction?  I am really trying to dial in what length to get in the future.

Please give a report on how the 12'6 Bark paddles compared to the 18 footer!! Thanks Shape.

[shapeshifter]

you better believe that i'm planning to be there at the cape cod bay challenge with some boards next year stoneaxe. even if i have to paddle there!

as i understand it, the 12'6" length was the length assigned to the stock boards at the battle of the paddle greatdade. it's a pretty manageable length to go with because you can still spin it around with out too much difficulty. give me some time on these boards and i'll be glad to post up a review of some sort in the near future. if anybody happens to come out to chicago, feel free to drop me a line so that we can paddle whatever happens to be in the quiver at the time.

aloha

[Paduan Sam]

Hey Shape.   Have you tried the Bark 14' mid? 

[shapeshifter]

afraid i haven't been on that one yet... dagnamit! you mean i have to get another one?

[Tom]

Question:  I noticed a lot of the top guys were paddling 12'6" boards at Battle Of The Paddle.

There where three classes for the open (amature) division, but the Elite (pro) division was 12'6" only.

[FB1]

Most of the support so far seems to be for the 12' 6" class.

I spoke to a couple of elite west coast paddlers over the weekend who are going to focus their 2009 races in the 12' 6".

How do you think winning the 12'6" or 14' division compares to winning the unlimited class?

Thanks for everyones input.

FB

[river]

I want to compete/win the class with the most Elite racers.  Seems to me the 12'6" is that class unless its a huge downwinder or crossing.  Seems like mainland races are going to be more course style while the HI races are more crossings and downwinders IMO

[FB1]

From the survey it appears there are only 25 racers in the entire SU Zone.

Any East Coast guys out there who are planning on racing next year? What division, and why. 

[greatdane]

I guess I am in a unique situation in that SUP racing is a long way from getting popular in this area (Seattle/Puget Sound).
That said, most my distance paddling is done with/against surf skis, kayaks and outriggers.  Therefore if given the choice I am going to paddle the fastest craft out there; probably an unlimited 16' or longer.  Currently my 14' Vortice just barely keeps up with the slower boats.

Hopefully some day there will be enough SUP's in the area to warrant actual divisions.  If I come down to one of the Cali races, I'll just borrow or rent whatever is the most competitive for that race.

[stoneaxe]

From the survey it appears there are only 25 racers in the entire SU Zone.

Any East Coast guys out there who are planning on racing next year? What division, and why. 

I'm east coast and plan on racing next year (may even plan a couple of races) I'll be on a 12-6 to start because I have a reasonably fast stock board, starboard 12-6, so the finances won't be an issue. I don't think I'll be able to swing a race board for awhile. If I buy a board for racing/downwinders it will be 16' or longer most likely.

[warped]

I have a question.  All this talk about the 12'6 Elite class and what not - are you guys talking about having this as the universal elite class, or is this pertaining more to flat water races in the mainland?  I'm just asking because I'm on Oahu and I don't really know of anybody who wants to ride race-specific 12'6" boards.  Everybody I know, which is really only a handful of people, seems to favor the 14' stock class and the unlimited class.  I know a bunch of people who enjoy racing on their all around boards for fun, and they definitely love the 12' or 12'6" and under class for that purpose, but for those who want to race with serious competition and push themselves to get the best times, I just can't see them entering a 12'6" division here.  Any feedback on this?  Anybody from Hawaii have any input?

[stuey c]

   I'm from Australia where Sup downwinding and paddling in general whether for race or pleasure is still relatively small compared to Hawaii. I build these boards and it's become a real passion and I think it would be a shame to see this sport being held back due to the rules such as those of the BOP. In my opinion the 12'6" class is valid but only for those wishing to have a crack at the races on their regular surfing SUB. Even the 14' class should just be there as an entrance level type of thing as anyone who has paddled a board around the 18' mark would realize they are worlds appart and their performance in the flats let alone the open-ocean cannot be compared. I don't think it will be too long before this side of Supping really explodes and I'm hoping the unlimited side of things takes it's place as the true pinnacle of the sport.......here,here !!!!!!!

[FB1]

Thanks for the feedback guys. In the last year in east coast races i've only seen one unlimited board. We have about 6-8 local seasonal lifeguards interested in getting into SU racing. Our races are spread out up and down the coast, not one of last years races was less than a 14 hour round trip drive. Travel expenses plus the cost of a race board makes it a big payout for a seasonal lifeguard. For them it's unrealistic to even be able to afford a surfboard, a surfing SUP and a racing SUP. I started this thread after 3 strong west coast competitors told me they were going to race in the 12' 6" division next year. I think the 3 divisions is definitely the best bet. The 12' 6" and under, this is great as you can race a surfing SUP and makes for good close racing. In every race on the east coast i believe there are more 12' 6" and under SUP than the others combined. With this in mind i think the 14' division is going to be the main race division on the east coast for a while due to the boards being more available an affordable.
Lastly the unlimited division, i've only seen 1 unlimited SU race board at an east coast race dating back to the 2007 C2C. I'd really like to have one myself, but spending that much to race one other person, doesn't make sense to me.
The reason for this thread is to exchange ideas on how best to grow the sport of SUP racing, for me, especially on the east coast. The conditions over here don't give us many predictable down winders so thats certainly one less appeal.

Thanks again for the feedback, please keep the thoughts coming!

[CHill]

FB1  Im from the east coast also N.C. the races we have had so far this year have all been 12'6" and under surfing SUPs I think this makes for a good race keeps the boards similar and it comes down to training and technique have not seen any unlimited SUPs I plan on racing anything around here (have one comming up in Nov.) and others if its fesable ie entry fees and travel time. I believe the more prizes or prize money the more people will be intersted in traveling to race.Would love to know of other races on the east coast keep us informed.

[river]

HI is different.  The waves and the wind and the whole setup is so different over there.  They will make up their own rules and it doesn't matter what the Mainlanders do, however IMO the 12'6" class will rule the future of SUP racing because of the course racing style that has become popular.  IMO the 12'6" Course style racing will get way more media, spectators, and competitors than any crossing or downwind race. SO naturally this is where the $ will be for competitors, media and sponsors, and if you wana be in the money you gotta be on a 12'6"  the BOP was a prime example of that.  Look how many Hawaiian's came over to compete!  How many of them actually trained using a 12'6" (not many from what I could tell), but they were still at the event to prove they had the skills to be the best...  If the race has no spectating then the race will get no sponsors IMO.  I have spent 25 yrs in the Pro whitewater world and is has the same issues.  The biggest event we have for Whitewater is Reno River Fest where everyone can walk/ride to city park and watch a World Class Kayaking comp in their own backyard.  Can you say 20,000K spectators in 07 and 25-30K expected this year!  Now we have television, radio, and its a huge $ making event for everyone involved especially the athletes that are taking home 1-5K in cash.  Just my .02
To many sports got so competitive that the gear was a huge advantage.  You couldbe overweight and outa shape but if you had the latest 4K board you had a chance to win because $ could compensate for skill, training, and experience.  12'6" will Help keep this from happening so fast with SUP.  Besides no one wants to deal with a 18ft SUP board (thats like a f'n glass slipper) at any other time than being on the water.  I like the fact that are these different disciplines of SUP racing so you can choose to paddle whatever you like.  SUP gives you that freedom.