Hey Guys,
The 14's are a fun size and are really well suited to WA as many do the Downwind thing. Subsequently, longer races which allow the 14's to strut their stuff have been the focus. Long straight races are kinda fun but tend to be much like road cycling, he that endures the most pain wins.
BOP or short course racing requires heaps of technical skill as well as fitness and athleticism. 12'6" boards will murder a 14fter around the short course with their agility on the turns.
We have been running weekly short course BOP style races and training of a Saturday morning and I can tell you, we have much more fun racing short course than distance. The change in our racing practice and races has prompted many to buy a 12'6" board. Many of our paddlers now have both boards and some are preferring to train on the 12'6" instead of the 14'. We still love and train on the 14's, but we have something else to look forward to than just hard paddling in a straight line.
If you have no where to race shorter Stock boards and you live in WA, a 14 will be more versatile, but if you can regularly race a stock board, I think it almost swings it in the other direction.
If you want to race and train the short BOP style courses with us, we meet every Saturday in Maylands. There is no charge for this training/racing. Call us for more details (08) 9245 3884.
DM
I received a call from a well known forum member frothing about a new 12.6 he rode today and I think he is getting one,the last one until November so he said.Tells me this thing does it all,surfs unreal and great DW board.
SIC
Wouldn't want the final word on this subject going to a longboarder. Instead, allow me to steal from SUPracer who has himself borrowed the following Facebook status update from World Top 10 racer Eric Terrien...
www.supracer.com/time-out-on-the-board-class-wars-126-vs-14-etc/
every one deserves an opinion even if its wrong
this is going to get another 2 pages ..... for the record I ride a Coke Bottle Top 
