SUP Racing

[teatrea]

G,day Guys - Girls i want to get into SUP racing and i have a question on board size , what do the terms stock and unlimited mean when referring to racing.
I have an 11.6 am i wasting my time trying to race with this size board.

Thanks

[KaiDogg]

In prone/knee paddleboarding if I'm not mistaken, "stock" class usually refers to a board 12 ft. and under, with a fixed skeg.  "Open" or "unlimited" class boards are usually 14-16 ft. in length (or longer) and often have a rudder system. 

There may be certain weight restrictions for equipment, but I'm not too clear on that stuff.  I do know that a lot of the unlimited class equipment is pretty exotic; carbon fiber lay-up's, hollow construction, etc.

My guess, your 11'6" should be fine for stock class racing.  Probably best to check w/the race organizer on the rules though, since SUP racing is relatively new.  Good luck and go out and have fun!

[teatrea]

cheers thank you for the reply , the race im interested in doing is 6.5 ks so not to far for the first time.

[capobeachboy]

The class issue is still being sorted out in this relatively new (old) sport.  In the US there's usually a "stock" class being 12' (some will fudge a little as the Lairdboards are actually 12'1"), and unlimited in which anything goes, including catamarans.  In Hawaii from what I've seen there's "rudder" and "no rudder" divisions.  I think the no rudders are usually 14' so that would be their stock class.  I think you're from OZ given your name and profile (why doesn't anybody put down where they're from in their profile - are you all mysto or something?) so I would look to your paddleboard race directors that might be considering a SUP class and ask them.  It would be nice to see a standard but mainland US and Hawaii racing are two very different animals, and OZ is a mix of both.

That said your 11'6" is probably fine for 6.5km or more.  I've raced an 11' ULI this year in a couple 5 milers and suprisingly enough it goes really well.  Mike Eaton's website has the most comprehensive and updated list of paddleboard events at http://www.eatonsurf.com/Events.htm

[teatrea]

Yep im from  OZ , ive seen the c4 waterman Vortex it looks like it flyes,although i cant afford one of those at the moment , i would guess most guys in OZ would be using boards under 12Ft.

[capobeachboy]

Not for very long.  I saw the Laguna Bay 16 footer and it looked pretty good.  I'm sure Infront, DVS, Dolphin, and others could make a nice foam core unlimited.  Others like Hayden, Burton and ForceField could also do a hollow molded if there was a demand.  Look the sheer numbers of surfskis and paddleboards there are on the beaches of Oz and how this could evolve.  How fast do ya wanna go, mate?

[steamroller]

(why doesn't anybody put down where they're from in their profile - are you all mysto or something?)

im from ....airport #48U Green River Intergalactic Spaceport Green River, WY...and yes i am very mysto...

[capobeachboy]

Steam - you're ok.  We already know ULIs were reverse engineered based upon a craft created by an alien civilization (Roswell, NM 1947).

[river]

From what I have heard the new racing norm will be 14 ft and under no rudder.  Then they will have unlimited class for anything longer and maybe unlimited with a rudder.  Who knows maybe even some events will warrant a production 12 foot and under class which I think would be smart for the giuys who want to race but dont have 2k to spend on a race board.  This sport is getting expensive if you want to race and surf

[teatrea]

Yeah i would love a quiver of boards , but will have to wait till i win the lotto.

[Big Island Mike]

In Hawaii there is not a "stock" class, just a rudder and non-rudder division, that is, at the Molokai Challenge, which is like the world champoinships.

So, it is not like paddleboarding where there is a 12' stock division. There should be although and there is that class in the Maui Paddleboard/Henessey race where they have 3 classes: 12 stock, Unlimited Rudder, Unlimited Non-Rudder. IMO for stand-up, the stock class should be 14 feet.

I hear Infront has a race board coming out.

Where are youse in OZ? I will be there in a week, going to Noosa.  PM me.

[teatrea]

Im on the Goldcoast , if your going to Noosa i think the Noosa festival of surfing is on pretty soon , they have several stand up events on.Bonga Perkins Dave Parmenter are going to be their plus a few other big names in the SUP world.