Old article about why racing is declining so fast

[viatormundi]

That’s exactly what happened here in Mallorca, Spain.
Rest of the Spain and Europe still has some growth in races thanks to Eurotour and some other local races.
Short distance races became too competitive and most casual riders are focusing more on long distance races such as SUP 11 City, Spain 24 Hours or races on the rivers like Dordogne (130 km). Also downwind is getting more and more popular. The next popular thing might be SUP foiling in waves and downwinds. 

Perhaps another angle on the decline of racing is not as much about boards but with the people.

The early SUP adopters started a new sport/race they could be winners at. They recruited the average joes/janes to join the party. Most of these people were on similar performance curves. It was all fun and games to race against your buddies.

Then more elite athletes showed up and blew the early adopters and average joes/janes away. Races were being catered mostly to the elites. The average joes/janes got discouraged and stopped participating.

The elite athletes soon realized there was no money to be made being elite. So they start dropping off too.

Might be a different story outside the US. Seems like the race scene in Europe has not reached a plateau.

[pdxmike]

Nice shot, witch paddle is that PDX?

Yes.

[pdxmike]

So...... what floats other than witches?

Actually, this was billed as a "fun" event, but think of the pressure on those witches to avoid falling into the water.   

I remember seeing them out in the water, not knowing it was a witches' paddle.  I saw all the black clothing, and just assumed they were architects.  I wasn't close enough to see that they weren't wearing pretentious eyeglasses, which would have disproved that theory.

I know some of the witches, and people have been telling them that next year they should paddle down the Willamette to Salem.

[TallDude]

So...... what floats other than witches?

.   

I know some of the witches, and people have been telling them that next year they should paddle down the Willamette to Salem.

It would quicker for them to Salem.

[yugi]

What pressure?

Witches float.

[Muskoka SUP]

So do small pebbles..  😂

[stoneaxe]

That sounds like a great event, Stoney.

It was. Creek came as a Cape Cod Surfer...

[TallDude]

I went paddling in the ocean today. Not that many race boards, but a good hundred plus paddleboarders in the harbor. Looked like a full swing summer weekend. Anthony Vela was out training a group of young beginner racers, maybe teenagers? West Wind sailing & paddleboarding had a good size lesson group or groups as well. As I walked in their were maybe 25 or 30 boards and paddlers just hanging out at the waters edge. Looked as busy with paddleboards as it ever has...