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It depends on the turnout and the size of the contest. At local ESA (monthly-ish) contests there is only an open category. Mainly because there are 3-4 SUP surfers. Some larger annual contests will have LB and SB SUP surf categories.

One huge mistake that I made a week ago was to take the wrong leash with me. I was riding an 8'6" with a 12' leash. Normally it wouldn't be an issue, but I was surfing at a pier and as I stepped off the board, I pulled the leash to retrieve the board. But it kept going when it should have bounced back. Now I have a nice barnacle encrusted ding from a pylon. Short leashes are much better. :-(

I've had the leash tangle happen a few times. Even with a short leash. It's happened mostly when I make a very sharp bottom turn and then put the paddle down for a quick snap. It seems that a loop is created by the leash from the tail to my leg and I place the blade inside the loop. In this case it's worked out well when I swing the paddle all the way around (behind the tail) and pull in a backward motion. This also helps drive the board around.

Were you surfing by Patrick Air Force Base? Some SUP surfers made themselves a bit too comfortable at a well known shortboard break this weekend.

The base is sandwiched between Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach.

Do you plan on racing? If so, you'll be racing against other 12'6" boards and not the 14' and unlimited guys. There was a similar freakout in BMX in the early '90s. A lot of racers went on to ride 24" cruisers and the 20" wheeled bikes were on a down turn. But now, you seldom see a well stocked cruiser class. Regardless, the two bikes are in their own classes. You should just ride what you like.

Unless a storm starts brewing right now, there won't be much surf in the panhandle in the next week. Surfline report

East Florida is getting a small swell (1'-3'). Pretty impressive for July, but nothing spectacular.

One huge comparison is surfing in the Atlantic to a wave pool (Disney's Typhoon Lagoon surf session to be precise).

I've ridden the same board at the beach and at the 'Goon and the difference is very noticeable. The pool waves are about 6' with some reasonable power, but the speed just isn't there. You certainly don't float as much and, in turn, don't get the nice down-the-line speed that you do on even smaller waves at the beach. There's also much less power on turns and snaps in the pool.

If you want a challenge - try to paddle across the whole lake and back on one side. Then do it on the other side.

It's funny how I can surf all day by just paddling on my right side, but can track my board best when paddling on the left side.

Ouch, that's a lot of boards.  On one had it is cool that there are so many disciplines within SUPing to keep things interesting.  On the other hand that is some major expense for boards. I would be most interested in Ocean Touring, Ocean Racing, Flat Water Touring, Flat Water Touring, Race Training, River Cruising, All Around Surf and maybe Long Board Performance.  The big question is where should I start?  Maybe Flat Water Touring since I will be cruising in reservoirs a lot.  Or maybe a race training board would work.  Some companies advertise cross over boards that are good for cruising around and small surf.  Maybe that would be a good way to go.  Hopefully there are a few boards that can cross over into multiple disciplines.  What about paddles?  Can you use the same paddle on all your different types of boards or do they make paddles that are different for some disciplines?

You can get a medium sized blade with an adjustable shaft. This will let you scale it down when surfing, set it half way when digging for some speed, and extend it when just cruising around. It also allows you to let your tall/shorter friends and family to ride your board.

But yes, there are different lengths, blade sizes, blade shapes, and shaft flex/stiffness differences for different people and SUP disciplines.

You don't have to buy everything at once. Your addiction builds up slowly. And don't ask about fins. That's a collection of its own. ;-)

The problem is that standup paddle boarding is a very generic term. It's like saying cycling. BMX 20", BMX cruiser, XC mountainbike, downhill MTB, road, track, time trial, commuter, fixie, hybrid, folding, recumbent, stationary... There's no single magical board that will cover everything that you want to do.

A generic all-around board will allow you to paddle on the river or ocean and catch waves on small-medium days. But it won't be fast on flatwater, won't plane well, and won't carve and spray wall of water on waves. That's where you have to get more specific. Either way, they're fun to play on and can allow you to find your niche.

My wife hates that we have a two-car garage that's filled with bikes, surfboards, and SUPs.

How about this new BMW concept?

The bottom is crazy cool. I just saw it on Swaylock's. ;-) Very nice stuff, Paul.

So you have a center fin with sidebites? That's still a longboard setup. More performance related, but LB nonetheless. You should first look at a smaller fin and if you really want to break loose, look at something with a cutaway.

Where are you standing on the board? Do you have your rear foot on the stomp pad (right above the fins)? If you're standing right in the center of the board, you have no leverage.

Though a nice advantage of having a paddle is that you could always stroke your way back into the face, for real fluid speed you need to work the wave. Pump up and glide down. It's very similar to skateboard tick-tacking, but you tick one way then lean back down the line. If you're riding right, you tick up and toward the right, then let the board glide down the wave and to the left. Just as you would a regular surfboard.

Another advantage of a SUP is that you can spot the wave much further out. Set yourself up away from the closeout. A local surf legend said it best - "selection and position."

One big problem that I see with people SUP surfing, is that they catch the wave then just stand there. The paddle becomes awkward. Once you drop in, if you don't keep up the flow, you're just gonna stall. Use that paddle to make a nice bottom turn and gat back to the top of the wave. You don't want to ride at the bottom. If so, you're just getting pushed around. You want to stay on top of the wave and let gravity get you going.

Kai Lenny riding a JetSurf at Peahi.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/m3LK6aiWPLM

When it comes to boards (or bikes) the rule of thumb is n+1.

As for when to ride what:
Flat: race SUP
1'-2': LB/Fish
2'-4': Fish/SB
3'+: SUP surf
Overhead glass: SUP surf
Overhead chop: SB
Messy wind-chop: Downwind

Wonder whats more common,

Shark bite with a wet-suit or without?

Most of shark incidents I've seen on the news had a person just wearing normal swim wear. I feel like, the chemical smell from the wetsuit deters them away.

The water is cool in Hawaii, but never wetsuit cold. Unless you're diving. I don't think that this is a factor. Tigers are a curious bunch.