Sink to win.

[southwesterly]

Ever year I drive across town and watch the Paddlefest contest at Steamer Lane. One thing is glaring obvious. SUP surfers that advance in heats are for the most part, nimble, young and surfing boards that barely float them.

I can’t take anything away from these incredible athletes, but it doesn’t resemble stand up paddling I see around here for the rest of the year.

Wouldn’t it be cool if they had a 10 foot and over class? I think it would give a needed dose of reality to surf contests.

What do you think?

[Califoilia]

I'm thinking it doesn't matter what some of these young guys ride....



....they're still gonna out surf most of us seven ways to Sunday.   


Oh, and let's not forget this poor guy on his big ol' unmanageable barge....

 

[PonoBill]

Blame Mo.

Used to be that most SUP surf competitors rode recognizable boards. then Mo started riding boards that would be too small for me to boogie board on.

Laird's goto board for big lumpy days here on Maui was a 14' board that felt like it weighed more than 50 pounds. It was for sale at Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport for years--no one was crazy enough to pay Lenny for it. It's the board he used in the video Admin shot of an insane day at Ho'okipa that decorated the home page of the zone for years. I was on the bluff watching the end of a session when Laird came in with a hole through his cheek. Board hit him.

[mrbig]

Aussie 10' class very popular! I wonder why?

[Night Wing]

I got a kick out of watching the 12'6" racing board surfing those waves. That guy, Ginella, riding the racing board was really good.

[Rider]

I want to be Lord Hamilton in my next life.

[supthecreek]

Yep, competition is....competition.... the best will ride whatever they must, to beat the other guys, there's no turning back that clock.

BUT... I totally agree, a 10'+ category would be a very watchable addition to most venues.... and may bring more crowds and interest as well, to support the local competitors.

When you leave the Pro ranks, the super small boards do get beaten by good guys on reasonable sized boards.... at least I see that every year, at the Wrightsville Pro/Am.

Sano, I totally loved Ginella's style and attitude, as he shredded those's waves on a race board...very fun to see.
Good guys are good, no matter what they ride..... but longer, brings out style.

[Piros]

Aussie 10' class very popular! I wonder why?

Yes the 10' division is super popular here BUT super skinny boards are starting to appear creating the same dilemma. Each to his own but it's only a minority and fortunately the bulk of the competitors stick to the spirit of the event of off the shelf 10-0's. Re the super short Sups I'm all for it . It brings in the youth to the sport without that there is no future , eventually they will get old and fat like the rest of us. 

[surf4food]

Perhaps it's time to have a longboard division just like in regular surfing.  9 or 10' (and over) and boards would have to have basically a round nose.

[southwesterly]

. Re the super short Sups I'm all for it . It brings in the youth to the sport without that there is no future , eventually they will get old and fat like the rest of us. 

Don’t get me wrong Piros, I’m all for watching kids shred on super sinky boards. My point is, if you are being judged based solely on wave maneuvers, the size of the board is the determining factor. Take two equally hot surfers, one is 120 pounds and able to ride a sub-seven foot board at less than 23 inches wide. The other guy at 210 pounds, can barely paddle a board a foot longer and 3 or 4 inches wider. The small board will always be able to rack up points easier once on the wave.

I think for public appeal, a 10 foot and over class would showcase talent better on an equal basis.

[Bean]

Sorry guys, but I beleive that this is how the younger crowd sees us long-boarders in general:

[Califoilia]

More like....

[stoneaxe]

More like....

Beat me to it Sano....

[PonoBill]

The moment that the costume of the competitor matters is the moment you need to get the fuck out of that particular sport. Puffy sleeves or a tuxedo vest and you should be already long gone.

[surf4food]

Sorry guys, but I beleive that this is how the younger crowd sees us long-boarders in general:

The younger crowd who don't SUP already see everyone who does (be it Moe at Sunset or the old fat guy in knee high waves at La Jolla Shores) that way.