Sharing Strategies from other Sports

[photofr]

It was SUPAA RULES...
23" minimum for 14' boards - totally blown out of the water in 2017 onwards.

Quote:
14' width minimum of 23'' inches as measured at the 3 inch rail mark.
12'6 width minimum of 23.75'' inches as measured at the 3 inch rail mark.
14' weight minimum of 10kg (22.05 lbs)
12'6 weight minimum of 9kg (19.84 lbs)
No board shall have raised rails greater than 4.92 inches (12.5 cm) as measured from the standing area to the top of the rail.

Link: http://supathletes.com/supaa-manufacturers-announce-board-restrictions/

[yugi]

...In windsurf racing there is a new rule: "there are no rules". How cool is that?

Now that would be interesting...

It's true. No kidding. At least in terms of priority on water. So much more rad now.

For MTB:
Check the videos of Megavalanche bike race for some crazy chinese downhill action.
4x is cool too. The passing at 1:06 in this is still the best...



Oh, and if you think MTB racing doesn't attract spectators you have not have seen this stuff yet. Earlier years there wasn't all the rails, it used to be insane with stray dogs etc. 13th year I think.



I do assume you have heard of the Red Bull Rampage.

[yugi]

... SUPAA RULES...

No-one listened to them, photof. Which I assume you already figured out.

I think they were good ideas as guidelines to help develop SUP boards interesting for the average joe.

Funny you mention them as the rest of your post seems to be gunning for radically narrow dugouts.

Which camp are you in already?

Like I said: pendulum swings. I'm sitting this one out. Anyways most agree flatwater SUP racing will be like XC specific racing in other sports. Very athletic but not the direction the market will go.

[yugi]

Yes. It's raining today. Sorry for the post overload.

[yugi]

@YUGI
Look into ISA -
Their rulebook seems quite long for the SUP. They are seemingly attached at the waist with Starboard.

You mean the only race in the world still limited to 12'6? Bwahahahaha.
Speaking of archaic rules...
(at least now we know 2019 they'll change that to 14's)

Aren't you supposed to be the UL fanatic?

[ukgm]

One thing is for certain, interest in SUP racing is fading.  Reminds me of the decaying XC MTB racing  scene over the last umptten years. 

My guess is that, just as with mountain bikes, SUP's will be available in more different and specific flavors.  No great prediction, since they already are to a great extent.

To predict the direction of race boards is nearly impossible because we would first have to predict the direction of racing rules.

AND... rules change.
Am I the only one who noticed that a set of rules once read, not too long ago:
- Minimum width for all 14' board will be 23"
(or am I completely mistaking?)

SUPAA was an advisory organisation led by Chase. I was one of his advisors. We did that to try and stop what we knew was coming (to protect the racing sport as a whole) but Starboard brought out the 21.5 anyway.

[PonoBill]

...

I have been paddling SURFSKIS for nearly 35 years - in the Ocean – and I sure as heck know that a rudder will work in heavy waters – unlike some people I know who claim it will not work.

In sailing doing something similar is called "in irons".

No it isn't.

[yugi]

You're right. Sorry. Heave to.

Been a long time since I've sailed in english.

[Eagle]

"If you are a brand representative who we have not heard back from please comment and allow us to add you to this list if you agree to the terms. Below are the agreed upon board restrictions for 2014. We will reevaluate these guidelines annually with the input of athletes and brand managers.

These guidelines will be upheld by the agreeing manufacturers and enforced at all SUPAA sanctioned events in 2015.

Existing boards that do not meet these requirements will be legal until 2016. New boards that do not meet our requirements will be illegal at SUPAA events in 2015."

[Eagle]

Def sounded just like a Monty skit for a while there.     

[Area 10]

Def sounded just like a Monty skit for a while there.     

No it didn't... etc

[Bean]

Yes, it most certainly did...

[yugi]

time's up.

Move along.

We are an adrenaline fueled world now.

[Bean]

time's up.

Move along.

We are an adrenaline fueled world now.

That was never five minutes just now!!

[stoneaxe]

Yes it was!