Starboard has come on board as the major sponsor of the SUP division of The Doctor.
First over the line from Rottenest on a 12'6" (or smaller) $2,000, plus other cash and prizes.
good stuff,some of these major players are serious about getting behind sup racing,good on you starboard,you deserve a place at the head of the queue
Good on you Ian, first a new board for the Melbourne RPS Race Series "most improved" and now this. I think it is going to take this sort of backing to really get the racing scene going.
You might have some annoyed Queenslanders though, freighting over their 17 footers....
Going to be very interesting over the next few years to see if the classes settle down to 12'6 and open or if the 14 foot still has a big role. Obviously Starboard thinks the 12'6 class will be key judging by the 2010 board line-up.
does this mean there is no longer an unlimited class. we have booked our flights and i know dale is making a 17' for the race. need some info
ps. just looked up the site, still unlimited,but no prizes
Thanks for the support guys.
We are certainly excited about racing and want to support a class that is obtainable by the majority of riders both financially and logistically.
Hopefully it won't cause any grieve from guys with long boards, long boards aren't excluded, just not eligible for the prizes in the 12'6" division. Hopefully some crew will now bring a 12 or 12’6 instead of a longer board.
Up to date details are now at www.oceanpaddler.com
See you in a few weeks at Rottnest.
Ian
Hey Simon,
I asked Dean the other day about the pull cord inflatables and he said they are fine. Just need to be using the pull cord as the primary way to inflate.
Sam.
Pull cord inflatables are great, you can wear them over the top of your back-pack type Camelbak and you don't have all the bulk of the regular PFD. Not sure how you go flying with one of those in your luggage though.
One problem, mine has a really solid stainless buckle arrangement - fell off doing a down-winder this winter when the water was bloody cold in Melbourne and tried to grab the board so I didn't go right under, broke a rib with either the cylinder or the buckle when I hit the board rail. Cured off that - now I jump right out of the way no matter how cold the water is!
