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Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: TallDude on October 07, 2018, 01:59:17 PM

Title: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: TallDude on October 07, 2018, 01:59:17 PM
Watched a little of the PPG today, and the turn out was quite a bit down from the old Battle of the Paddle days. I don't know how it will survive?

2018
https://youtu.be/HuCaNns_KEA

2010
https://youtu.be/URgeqBtKVI4

Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: lopezwill on October 07, 2018, 02:35:46 PM



Looks like race participation is way down. 

How about that great drone camera footage?  Way better that the one the beach camera angles I think.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: PonoBill on October 07, 2018, 03:46:45 PM
Wow, that's nothing. The Gorge Paddle Challenge is much bigger. What did the non-elite mens launch look like?

I think the biggest mistake they made was making the bread-and-butter, age group racers feel like second class citizens. Actually more like third class. It's why I didn't race last year or this. Promoters might think that the elite race is what brings the crowd. But the spectators are there to cheer on their dad, brother, husband, uncle. The bulk of the registrations are open class. the bulk of the expense is Elite class.

Then again, I've done big events. I know how hard it is to please everyone, to make people feel they are appreciated and included. It's a thankless task. I'm glad I got to do it when Sparky didn't mind losing a few hundred thousand a year to pull it off.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: JEG on October 07, 2018, 03:56:54 PM
good watch and what a race.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: steamroller on October 07, 2018, 04:27:52 PM

BOP many years ago......

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1932/31293035318_68724c5949_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: Mil-Surf on October 07, 2018, 04:45:17 PM
That was awesome. Personally laid up from blown out back, that got me inspired to come back even stronger and get back into racing. About as good coverage and exciting racing as we will have from our sport. Great venue, conditions etc. wish I was healthy enough/able to do it. Those heats were stacked and it was cool to see them make it out, wipe out, buoy turn and hammer down. What else do you guys want?
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: Tom on October 07, 2018, 06:40:39 PM
This was the first time I watched it on my computer and saw several races. That is much better than watching in person. Of course, the PPG folks make it very hard to watch when you're there. Also I agree with Pono, the open contestants are an after thought.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: PonoBill on October 07, 2018, 09:17:43 PM
That was awesome. Personally laid up from blown out back, that got me inspired to come back even stronger and get back into racing. About as good coverage and exciting racing as we will have from our sport. Great venue, conditions etc. wish I was healthy enough/able to do it. Those heats were stacked and it was cool to see them make it out, wipe out, buoy turn and hammer down. What else do you guys want?

We're just grumpy because it isn't what it was. But what it was, was truly amazing at a level that was just not sustainable. We were lucky to be able to do it back when.

Wow, Clinton, that's a really old picture. Before Ke Nalu paddles even. I think that's a Quickblade Kanana I'm holding. Who is that lovely lady sitting on the board? I think that's my old F16.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: capobeachboy on October 07, 2018, 10:51:12 PM
Great pic Steamroller. That’s a friend of ULI Jim’s sitting on the board. She did some modeling for us. And Sam on the left. Those were fun times for sure.

I haven’t paddled the PPG the past two years myself but really enjoyed not being a vendor or competitor this year. The pros really put on a show and there were some great moments in the open racing too. Salt Life said they’d be back in 2019 so we’ll wait & see.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: surfcowboy on October 07, 2018, 11:40:20 PM
I was in town and didn’t make the drive.

Yeah, mil, it’s not the event. I’m sure it’s great. We’re just remembering when a lot more people (and companies) did the event. Ironically, if we’d all shown it might have looked more like the old days.

I agree, lucky to have seen it. When do they add a foil division? I’m kidding of course. It’ll be racing efoils.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: Area 10 on October 08, 2018, 02:52:26 AM
The footage and commentary were really excellent, and it was very entertaining to watch. I was surprised there were only 700 people or so watching online the big elite heats - it deserved a much bigger audience. Somehow it seemed to me that it just wasn’t promoted as well as the BOP used to be.

There’s a whole new generation of SUPers these days who see SUP as a recreation not a sport, and aren’t even aware that there is such a thing as SUP racing. They could be drawn in,but it would take advertising in the right way. It might also be an idea to have specific divisions for inflatables. How on Earth are you going to get a fragile 14ft board there if you are from another country? Easy to hop on a plane with a 14ft inflatable, though.

Those conditions sure would show up the inherent weaknesses of current iSUP designs and constructions...

I think the whole sport of SUP has moved away from the “performance” aspect towards the recreational, touring, lifestyle aspect, as new people have come in who have no previous waterspoets experience. Many can’t even swim more than a few metres, and have no intention of learning. They are not going to be going out in those surf conditions. And most of the early adopters with a strong watersports have moved to foiling. Which conveniently distances themselves from the “moms on inflatables” crowd.

But there is no doubt in my mind that the actual coverage (and commentary) of the races at the PPG was the best it’s ever been, and the races were grippingly entertaining to watch. Kind of ironic.

I’d love to do the race, in theory. But the reality kicks in: these days I’d get my ass kicked by a 14 year-old girl, embarrassingly badly, who would be riding a board I couldn’t even stand on, and shipping a board there would be a PITA. I’m not going to spend thousands of my hard-earned cash for that level of hassle and humiliation. I want to go to a party and race my friends and peers, not a slickly-run corporate marketing event, showcasing equipment being ridden by people too young to be able to afford to buy it.

Incredible levels of skill and athleticism on display though, and the juniors were astoundingly competent. They really put on a good show, and Connor and Candice found a way to win against the odds, like great champions do.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: kayadogg on October 08, 2018, 03:35:21 AM
This was the first time in the past 5 years that I missed the PPG/BOP. I watched it online and was pretty saddened by the apparent lack of crowds on the beach. Seems to fit the decline of racing going on everywhere though. Like others have said though, watching online was really awesome. The drone footage was excellent and Chris Parker and Dave Kalama’s commentary was really good. Parker has some much info on every racer, he brings a ton of value to the commentary. Someone tell Beau Hodges that it’s Victory KoreDry, not Victoria KoreDry. Geez, pony up all the jerseys and then you get your sponsor shout-outs totally jacked every time.

Interesting that TEN is now partnering with APP for the next 3 years so PPG will become an official stop on the APP World Tour. Maybe that will revive it and add a little spark to it, maybe not.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SaMoSUP on October 08, 2018, 08:13:08 AM
I've rarely distance paddled in the last couple years, mostly SUP surfing these days. But the month before PPG I always get the itch, dust off that old raceboard and start training for the race.

I did the Open tech race only and was so stoked. We had some good but messy waves this year.

Entries and crowds were down for sure but the interesting thing is that there were a lot of international entries in the Open divisions. I'm glad APP picked up PPG. I hope they add in a SUP surfing contest like they did in NYC.

Found this pic of me on the PPG site...
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: JEG on October 08, 2018, 01:47:54 PM
nice pic SaMoSUP
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: burchas on October 08, 2018, 02:22:05 PM
Classy hero shot :)
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: burchas on October 08, 2018, 02:29:18 PM
I'm glad APP picked up PPG. I hope they add in a SUP surfing contest like they did in NYC.

Hopefully, maybe that will do the trick and bring the crowd though based on the
NYC beach attendence it doesn’t look promising for APP either...
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: mastman on October 08, 2018, 02:48:02 PM
I raced both days and this is my fourth Battle/PPG over the years.  I liked this one the best.  As an Open division racer (and not a good one at that), I did not feel like a second-class citizen.  Everything about this year's event was awesome.

After the open race each morning, I headed to my hotel and watched the pros on-line.  The coverage on-line was so much better than what you could see from the beach.  If they had a big screen with the drone footage, I would have stayed on the beach.

The event seemed well attended.  Certainly not as big as past years, but not small by any measure.  One advantage of the smaller crowd size: parking.

My wife asked if we could come back every year and she doesn't even compete or know any of the big names.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SaMoSUP on October 09, 2018, 08:20:06 AM
I agree with most of your points mastman. Definitely did not feel like a second class citizen this time around. The event was great overall.

The online coverage has gotten pretty good to the point where why bother going to the beach to watch it in person. However, the coverage can look so exciting that it makes you want to go to the beach. The organizers can milk this dynamic if they're media savvy enough.

Thanks JEG & burchas. I do think adding a SUP surfing contest would be good. It could bridge the gap between SUP surfers and distance paddlers and increase the beach attendance. SoCal has a larger population of SUP surfers than NY area. Plus the fact that the venue is all in Doheny helps. In NYC the contest venues were an hour apart I believe.

Then add in a foil division....there were some guys out there ripping it up. Seems like a good venue for that too. But is it a paddle sport?
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: supsean on October 09, 2018, 03:08:08 PM
Having been excited to see the NYC APP surfing contest, I was a bit disappointed with the event. Partly it was the waves, but also there didn't seem to be anything planned for the enthusiasts. I did enjoy myself, 1/2 because supthecreek showed up with a couple of demo boards, and 1/2 to see the athletes, both male and female, who gave their all into the Long Island Mush. it was a treat seeing those athletes here in NYC, but I wish it was more of an event, with some more planned stuff to bring people in during the day. As a positive, the event was super organized, and being able to see it all live streamed was a treat. Also, I did watch a bunch of it at work, and loved the commentary.

The San Diego Paddlefest looks like an interesting paradigm. I have never gone, but plan to go next year.  Clay Island has a great video of it, and how all the different paddlers got together as happy surf outcasts and shared Aloha, waves and beer (my summation of his video) https://clayisland.com/paddlefest/

Supthecreek said to me while we were watching the pros that this sport is more about the enthusiast than anything else. And generating some energy in this direction should be an events first priority. 
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: PonoBill on October 09, 2018, 03:44:28 PM
I raced both days and this is my fourth Battle/PPG over the years.  I liked this one the best.  As an Open division racer (and not a good one at that), I did not feel like a second-class citizen.  Everything about this year's event was awesome.

I'm very glad to hear that. That particular complaint is kind of leftover from two years ago, when the open class was most definitely treated poorly. The technical race was so short I thought everyone had miscounted. I hesitated and started to head for the next lap buoy but friends yelled at me and got me pointed the right way (head to the beach you idiot!). I lost a few places because I was certain I needed to do another lap. Overall the total focus was on the elite races.  I know the organizers saw us bitching about it here, and made an effort to correct that last year. The problem is that it's hard to get a second chance when you piss people off. That said, I feel like I missed out this year, so if they run it next year, I'm in. I think I have a solid second place finish nailed down in that over 70 group, or I could pick up the pace a bunch and go for first.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: TallDude on October 09, 2018, 04:14:53 PM
I raced both days and this is my fourth Battle/PPG over the years.  I liked this one the best.  As an Open division racer (and not a good one at that), I did not feel like a second-class citizen.  Everything about this year's event was awesome.

I'm very glad to hear that. That particular complaint is kind of leftover from two years ago, when the open class was most definitely treated poorly. The technical race was so short I thought everyone had miscounted. I hesitated and started to head for the next lap buoy but friends yelled at me and got me pointed the right way (head to the beach you idiot!). I lost a few places because I was certain I needed to do another lap. Overall the total focus was on the elite races.  I know the organizers saw us bitching about it here, and made an effort to correct that last year. The problem is that it's hard to get a second chance when you piss people off. That said, I feel like I missed out this year, so if they run it next year, I'm in. I think I have a solid second place finish nailed down in that over 70 group, or I could pick up the pace a bunch and go for first.
If you do Bill, I'll bring my camera a take pictures. I might even race?? We'll see... After that scene is over I'll meet you at SanO then Riders Club:) I've got a new taco spot as well...
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: digger71 on October 09, 2018, 05:58:44 PM
The technical race was so short I thought everyone had miscounted.

Looking at the results I don't think they've made it any longer...
Men's 2 mile Open Technical race - 1st place 10:27
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SaMoSUP on October 09, 2018, 07:07:23 PM
The Open tech final with 10:27 winning time was only one lap on the pro course. The main open race beforehand was two laps on a different course set with top times in the 24:00 range. So not so short, just about the right distance.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: digger71 on October 09, 2018, 09:24:37 PM
The Open tech final with 10:27 winning time was only one lap on the pro course. The main open race beforehand was two laps on a different course set with top times in the 24:00 range. So not so short, just about the right distance.

Now I see.  The one I saw was the Open Technical Surf Race.  Though they do have it listed in the results as 2 miles sounds like it was just 1.  Guessing the distance course wasn't a full 6 miles either - unless paddlers have gotten a lot faster :)
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: stoneaxe on October 10, 2018, 09:10:30 AM
Bummed I never made it out for some of the early ones.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: southwesterly on October 10, 2018, 09:43:29 AM
   I coulda been a contender.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: pdxmike on October 10, 2018, 11:33:15 AM
   I coulda been a contender.
On the positive side, you still got class and you're not a bum. 
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: Area 10 on October 10, 2018, 03:05:49 PM
   I coulda been a contender.
On the positive side, you still got class and you're not a bum.
I’ve been told that they are holding the PPG in Palookaville next year. I’m a regular visitor there, so it suits me fine. However I heard that some people find trouble getting back home by train.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: TallDude on October 10, 2018, 03:23:30 PM
   I coulda been a contender.
On the positive side, you still got class and you're not a bum.
I’ve been told that they are holding the PPG in Palookaville next year. I’m a regular visitor there, so it suits me fine. However I heard that some people find trouble getting back home by train.
The trouble with Palookaville is the train station is so small, you have to be exactly in one of the middle two cars to get off the train......
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SouthCounty on October 10, 2018, 05:37:28 PM
I volunteered over the weekend for this event, we had over 400 registered participants, it was a great event with what i thought was a pretty good turn out. It got me inspired to race the open class next year. The only bummer was in the womens open tech race, they had 50 going all at once, some girls I talked to feel they need to break that down like they do the  to 12 or 13 per heat mostly because the boards can get damaged and repair isn't cheap. Otherwise I think everything was done very well, and a special shout out to all the volunteers who showed up we RAWK... lol
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: PT Woody on October 10, 2018, 09:00:45 PM
The Open tech final with 10:27 winning time was only one lap on the pro course. The main open race beforehand was two laps on a different course set with top times in the 24:00 range. So not so short, just about the right distance.

Now I see.  The one I saw was the Open Technical Surf Race.  Though they do have it listed in the results as 2 miles sounds like it was just 1.  Guessing the distance course wasn't a full 6 miles either - unless paddlers have gotten a lot faster :)

I'm confused. Are you saying there was an Open Technical Race and also an Open Technical Surf Race?

What's the difference?

I thought a Technical Race was just the stupid ISA term for a BoP style race, ie a Surf Race, but allowing for the possibility of no surf. (So the ISA can hold their events on a lake or in an Olympic city with no surf nearby.)
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: Clemdog on October 10, 2018, 10:04:49 PM


The San Diego Paddlefest looks like an interesting paradigm. I have never gone, but plan to go next year.  Clay Island has a great video of it, and how all the different paddlers got together as happy surf outcasts and shared Aloha, waves and beer (my summation of his video) https://clayisland.com/paddlefest/

Supsean, I don't know where that paddlefest was, but it was definitely not in San Diego. I live there and have never heard of it. The video wasn't from anywhere in San Diego. I watched that whole video, and the narrator never once mentioned where it was. Anyone?


Clem
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SaMoSUP on October 10, 2018, 10:35:36 PM
The Open Technical Race was run on Sunday morning. Two laps with buoy turns but no hammer or boneyard buoy turns in the surf. See Open Technical course map.

The top 16 finishers from that race qualify for the Technical surf race finals later in the afternoon. They run one lap on the same course as the Pros do. That includes the hammer and boneyard buoy turns in the surf. Men & women Open finals are run separately.

So at the end of the day you watch the women's open final, men's open final, women's pro final, men's pro final. All on the same course so they don't have to move buoys around between Open and Pro heats. Actually pretty good flow of events and gives the Open racers incentive to make the finals and run the same course as the Pros.

Clemdog I think supsean is thinking about the Santa Cruz paddlefest not San Diego.

Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: surf4food on October 11, 2018, 06:35:59 AM

The San Diego Paddlefest looks like an interesting paradigm. I have never gone, but plan to go next year.  Clay Island has a great video of it, and how all the different paddlers got together as happy surf outcasts and shared Aloha, waves and beer (my summation of his video) https://clayisland.com/paddlefest/


There is no such event here in San Diego.  The clip you posted was Santa Cruz.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: surf4food on October 11, 2018, 06:38:29 AM


The San Diego Paddlefest looks like an interesting paradigm. I have never gone, but plan to go next year.  Clay Island has a great video of it, and how all the different paddlers got together as happy surf outcasts and shared Aloha, waves and beer (my summation of his video) https://clayisland.com/paddlefest/

Supsean, I don't know where that paddlefest was, but it was definitely not in San Diego. I live there and have never heard of it. The video wasn't from anywhere in San Diego. I watched that whole video, and the narrator never once mentioned where it was. Anyone?


Clem

I live in SD also and you are right.  If you click on the actual Youtube link it says Santa Cruz.  Plus I could tell it was from the boardwalk in the back ground.  The closest thing we have here is maybe the Hanhano in January.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SUPuFaka on October 16, 2018, 10:50:07 AM
From a participants perspective the vibe was VERY different ! they are all stoked to be there and ready to paddle but for spectators and brands ........its pretty lack luster....


https://staynmocean.com/2017/10/02/the-sup-industry-exposed/
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: mastman on October 16, 2018, 01:46:17 PM
I love every part of the pro surf races.  I love the preliminary rounds where all the action is in the middle of the field with the racers on the cut-off bubble.  I love the finals where lead changes are commonplace and waves bring the field together (or launch the leader).  I love the buoy turns inside the surf zone.  I love the drone-footage.  Etc. etc.   It’s too awesome to give up on it even if it is in decline.
Title: Re: Battle of the Paddle now and then... Eight years later.
Post by: SUP Sports ® on October 20, 2018, 06:21:33 AM

BOP many years ago......

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1932/31293035318_68724c5949_z.jpg)

We did the first three BOP's...fun times...your pic was the 2009 BOP...our booth was right next door...
The inaugural 2008 BOP had the feel of exciting energy in the air...and, the 2010 BOP really exploded...we had a front row booth and view to all of the action...

Hundreds of images in these blog posts...

https://blog.surfingsports.com/2008/10/more-battle-of-paddle-pics.html
https://blog.surfingsports.com/2008/10/standup-paddling-tipping-point.html

https://blog.surfingsports.com/2009/10/2nd-annual-battle-of-paddle.html
https://blog.surfingsports.com/2009/10/more-2nd-annual-battle-of-paddle-pics.html
https://blog.surfingsports.com/2009/10/more-2009-battle-of-paddle-pics.html

https://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/10/3rd-annual-battle-of-the-paddle.html
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