Since i have not been able to run that well for a while i have been tossing around some different BOP formats and one of the biggest things i hear from alot of people is the run legs SUX!!! so i thought i would put this out there and see if anyone else has any thought on this as well?
This is my idea on one solution.
The main difference is there is no run leg, you paddle out on the long straight turn left to the next buoy then a slight left again then all the way in to the shore break where you would jump of you board and only have to run with your board around the Buoy then back out through the surf and so on. Main advantage's are no run legs so the best paddlers will win and not the best beach runner and also no need for handlers which sometimes can be hard to find!!
Any thoughts?
Jacko
I suggest a mine field that needs to be negotiated by all competitors, this will sort out the wheat from the chaff. Then I think the finish should include a tackling exercise
It's good for the PADDLERS:
- Can be effort having to find a handler, so getting rid of them makes it easier & fairer for everyone
- Less chaos on the changeovers meas less chance of getting unlucky
- Most paddlers hate the run legs (though I love it, it's the only time I can catch up to people...)
- Rewards good paddlers, not good runners
It's bad for the PADDLERS:
- The final run leg can be the difference in a close race. What if two or three guys catch the same wave in over the line?
- When are you gonna get a drink? Not many paddlers would like using a camelbak in a surf race. Though this wouldn't matter if the races were shortened into sprint a knockout format... (something like the Victory Surf Race / SUP World Series format)
- If you have to carry your board around the buoy, then there's still some running involved.
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It's good for the SPECTATORS:
- They get to watch the best paddlers do what they're good at
It's bad for the SPECTATORS:
- The chaos of the changeovers/handlers can be fun to watch
- The run legs keep the action as close to the crowd as possible
- The final run leg can be exciting if it's a close finish
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I like most of it, especially getting rid of the handlers. But I'd change these two things:
- Place the inner buoys in shallow water (like 2-3ft), instead of on the shoreline. That way you still have to come in through the waves, but you don't have to hop off your board when you turn around.
- Have a run leg just at the finish. It'll keep it more exciting, plus it'll separate paddlers who are riding the same wave in.
And don't forget about the spectators, we always need more of them showing up...
Sorry i should have said still a short run to finish!! My thoughts would be to have the inner buoys in the shore break white wash so nice and close the crowd you still might have to run but it would be a Max of 10m at most. One other thing to think of i legropes will be standard in the future and this way there will be no taking legropes on and of which sucks, you would just have it attached to your waist and leave it on!
BOP means Battle of the paddle its a style of racing.
Jacko
I'm all for it, running sucks!
I started paddling because I like being on the water - not on land!
How about some flat out sprint races , 200 , 400 , 1000.That way you can have a number of races a knock out format with heats ect , and if its regular you can introduce a handicap system like pro - running! Even short sprints in and out of the surf would be good fun.Great for those who have no endurance
It's about cutting the beach runs on the laps...
and it hold only be done in speedos and a little hat that ties under the chin, oh wait hang on its been done bugger
Sounds good to me, the run part always seemed to be a take off from a clubby ironman race ,the last race we had with this format down here half the field carried their board around the land mark, half didnt and boards left on the shore got in peoples way during the race, a turning buoy in the shallows so everyone keeps hold of their board would be worth a try next time,
only thing is for the crew that travel to compete overseas they might still have beach runs over there and now not so prepared for it.
BTW Jacko thanks again for the board and paddle loan yesterday morning for the fitness class, was great to check out the awesome setup you guys have up there
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This "Bow Tie" course is a no brainer. 3 laps. 11 turns, 6 one way, 5 the other, and some left and right surfing action through the waves. Surf back in 3 times left, 3 times right. You paddle back out "direct". Surely, this is the solution! ??
^ this is a 4.0km paddle course.
PS - Jacko, your course would get people lost 
(too many turns / irregular shape)... This course is as simple as you can make it. A fun little "cross roads" bit in the middle too. Kind of like Slot Cars!
Two points:
First, I'm begging you, please do not allow Camo Hosk into your paddle fitness sessions. The only chance I have of beating him is when he's unfit and on a slow board. 
Second: this new BOP format idea is terrific. The whole board handler thing is feasible in top level races but simply doesn't happen at our amateur level resulting in carnage. I personally don't mind running on the beach as it gives my arms a rest, but it's just not worth the hassle or the potential board damage. I would keep the "run" in a foot of water - just deep enough that you have to jump off and turn around.
The other thing is, we need to put pressure on Balin and the other companies to make the waist attaching leggie. Surely there's enough people getting into BOP style racing here to make this a decent market for them. Otherwise, good business opportunity for someone clever.
where is the tackling in the course??? I mean really what is sport without tackling
Lookout PT, bought back some secret training tips that might get me back near the frontrunners like yourself 
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, bought back some secret training tips that might get me back near the frontrunners like yourself .
I like the idea Jacko. We have a number of members who did not do the last race because of the run leg due to injuries etc. Also getting handlers was hard. About 10 members were there to help those with out handlers and we still had to grab some spectating public to assist.
I like the first course more than then the second course that is here just on the organizational side of lap counting etc etc. Though the dodgems in the middle would be interesting
Would you run the back leg of the race as a downwind or up wind leg as we normally get NE winds for the race we have now on the Sunshine Coast in November at Coolum.
I like the bow-tie course better than the M shape.
That M course has six buoy turns; 5x are on your forehand and only 1x is on your backhand (or vice versa).
The bow-tie has 2x backhand buoy turns and 2x forehand, which is a lot fairer.
It's not so major, but most paddlers go a lot faster round a buoy on their backhand.
It can sometimes make a big difference, especially if you're trying to drop someone who's riding your wash. Look at the BoP California elite race - if Connor had've dropped 10 metres going round those buoys, it would've been pretty tough for him to keep up with Jamie and Danny for the whole race.
Plus the bow-tie just about guarantees some carnage in the middle. Might be frustrating for some paddlers, but it'd definitely be cool for the crowd.
you had better make sure that the dudes who lay the marks and set up the tents and infrastructure make a decent wage or you guys will have as much longevity as "Bros.....When will I, Will I be famous?"
Interesting ideas, the crossover will work for small events, but in the bigger ones would be a disaster. I like the idea of an M course to eliminate handlers, though the beach change is part of the spectator show. Hard to guess which would actually work better without trying them. I think in places like Hood River, where the landing is rocky, a M course could greatly improve the spectator experience.
I like the M shape better
I think that you will damage more boards having paddlers on runners crossing boards going out at sea and I don't see much fun in it.
Maybe you should keep 1 buoy on the beach on the shore line so there is a little bit of run and another buoy a bit more at sea so we would still have to turn around a buoy coming back on runners wich is always interesting.
But basically jacko if you want to put up a race, you just do what you want and people will adapt. I don't see why an event race format should be the same a another event race format. As long as we are paddling in and out the break and spectators can see the whole course everyone should like it I think.
It was not much fun to see angie hurting herself trying to run in coolum so you have a valid point. And for the ones loving the run I am sure there will still be enough other races involving runing as well
nothing worse than winning the paddle and losing the run.........we have some ex-tri-athletes frothing to catch you on the run...frustrating when they do....
Lets face it the guys who can run will always want the run leg to stay and those that cant run will want it gone!! I have been on both sides of the fence and would ruther it be gone but i have already warned the little bitches that keep beating me to look out as from Friday i wil be back to running harder!! and i will mow them down!!!!
You would make the long paddle on the back leg DW and the course can go either way depending on the day.
I'm not sure about turning one way being faster than the other? Maybe you just need to pratice turning the other way a bit more Chris!!
The inside turns could be right in the shorey so if you time it right you would not even need to get of your board and would be great for the people watching.
I was thinking that if the course is too complicated as someone suggested, the very first leg at the start could just follow the same direction of the subsequent laps. Something like this...
Jacko, is there a reason you went straight up the middle at the start?
