Just wondering if anyone can explain why Connor Baxter in the latest issue of Standup Journal is riding an 'SIC' race board with Star-board markings ?
Is that an admission that Star-board's do not cater for this type of racing or he just prefers to sticker up a perceived 'better' board than his own sponsors equipment.
At least when the likes of Kelly Slater rode Maurice Cole boards with Merrick decals or Tom Carroll rode Pat Rawson shapes with Byrne logo's, the only admission was the shapers signature on the stringer but in these shots, it's blatant.
Poor form IMO and it says something for the Star-board 'canoe' theory on their longer boards.
Opinions ?
their still working on the big canoe. it just takes longer to dig out
ps ptwoody is going to flip when he see's this post
I'm not sure of the background between starboard and SIC but I'm guessing that Starboard aren't necessarily saying they can't make such a board but providing recognition that when it comes to downwind race boards, SIC are the benchmark and if they want their riders to do well they have to be on the best boards.
You'll find Connor isn't the only one riding a Starboard SIC. Other starboard riders also on the Sic f16 and bullets include Tomo Murabayashi, Anne-Marie Reichman, Annabelle Anderson, Campbell Farrell, Bart de Zwart (I think) and I saw a couple more around the place too.
It's not only Starboard that does it either, Talia Gangini rides for Coreban but races on a Coreban marked f16.
I think it's recognition that Mark's boards are a step ahead of the rest and these companies want their team to be on the best gear.
Will be interesting to see whether either company bring out their own unlimited boards or not.
Connor is sponsored by Starboard.. and also by SIC... It's no biggie IMO.. Although making his SIC boards look like a Starboard is a little odd.
He obviously puts Starboard stickers on his SIC boards.. I wonder if he also puts SIC stickers on his Starboards? ..
DJ
Thanks for the info Ali, I can only comment on what I saw in the mag but you'd see it happening over there for sure with others.
I just think it's odd that you pay a kid with the instructions to get in front of the lense and push the product but then a cover shot and article both show SIC boards.....they'd be paying him a retainer and / or an amount per image in print I'd guess and if I were the one signing the cheques I'd be none to pleased with these results and smiling with gritted teeth.
Half his luck BUT it's hard to understand the business sense IMO.
When Billabong bought Occy's house on the Goldy in 1998 in lieu of $250,000 contract money in cash, imagine if he'd then rolled out for a session in a Rip Curl wettie - apples and oranges I know BUT in SUP land Connor is in the top bunch of kids moving thru the ranks.
Hey DJ - sort of like you being Mr Naish demo'ing the NSP's. 
The market for unlimited boards is relatively small and unique and as a result many brands are scared to go I'm to production. I think the big issue would be if connor still raced a bullet if starboard did enter that market.
Sic don't give boards away, they don't need to while the best paddlers cue up to buy them.
Mark raaphorst has shaped boards for starboard in the past. Connors mum works with sic doing accounts for them I think whilst at the same time connors parents are the starboard distributors in hawaii.
If you doubt the speed of their dugout just paddle one. We have a light wind downwinder this weekend and after paddling the 14 x 27 ace with aussie dave k last weekend it's at the top of my list of boards to paddle. Come try it you want as it flies.
I would also think starboard would be happy in connors form in the naish. Pretty much only 4 minutes slower than his time in the maui jim race when he was on his bullet.
Sam.
If you want to go and surf Waimea do you use the same person that makes your everyday beach break board or do you get a board from someone with experience in that area..Simple
Isn't it good to talk about real SUP stuff and not red thumbs etc !
Thanks for all the great input guys.
It all sounds fair with starboard and Sic but what do you make of Jimmy Lewis taking action against them for using photos of Connor riding a pointy nosed JL gun and them using it repeatedly in catalogues etc representing it as one of their boards.
It's refreshing actually!
I am stoked that the industry is not at a level where it really matters that much.
Anyway, Connor is the brand, not Starboard or SIC, let the kid ride what he likes and let the sponsors queue up, I say. It is really boring watching good athletes being forced to ride gear they don't like to please sponsors.
As for Connor's paddling technique? There's a topic for discussion!
What's really weird is that on the front cover Conner in riding a SIC board with Starboard stickers and on the back cover, he is on a Jimmy Lewis with Starboard photoshopped onto the rails.
I think it's pretty normal procedure as it has been happening in kiting and windsurfing for years. Riders have their custom boards decalled up in their board sponsors livery. I guess you could see it as R&D for future models. Often the boards are prototypes and brands still want some branding.
I think customers are clever enough to see through this. Case in point is Talia Gangini who is riding in the Unlimited class and Coreban don't have and unlimited board. Over time design progress will slow and production boards will be as quick as the customs - in fact we're probably nearly there on a number of 14' models.
Personally I'd like to be able buy a board off the rack that has proven itself - even though this would never make me a Connor Baxter.....
If connor is sponsored by sic and star-board then no drama. But when people blatently and for the purpose of advertising (financial gain) decal another brand, in this case allegedly Jimmy Lewis then imo this is a kin to plagiarism.
Yes everyone is aware sponsored surfers, kiters, windsurfers etc ride custom and prototypes made to look like production boards, but that imo is totally different to the above.
I'd prefer to talk about his incredible paddling technique too. In a few of the YouTube clips I've seen he is paddling with his top hand down on the shaft below the handle. I tried it out and no surprises it felt a bit awkward. He also seems to be using a very long paddle compared with a lot of the others. Im thinking this gives more leverage and reach but not sure how it ties in with the "hand on shaft" technique.
This is a great topic I luv my SIC boards I have all three, f16 - f18 -Bullet and have another Bullet on the way. Mark Raaporst is a master craftsman and builds the best custom Downwind SUP's on the planet. Take a look at the SIC rudder system Mark has designed the best rudder system on the planet it's so responsive. So many companies have copied the SIC rudder system, I was talking to Scot Trudon about it last May on Namotu Mark was going patent it but didn't bother. As you can see other company rudder systems are not as good.
If you're just a flat water paddler and want to go fast in the flat buy an f18 the glide will blow your mind.
Yer I herd that he was coming down here to have a Masterclass with Lacey after he herd what an outstanding job he done running the training group on the Alley whilst Kelly and Mick were in Hawaii!!!!
I even spotted Lacey using the Connor grip at training on Thursday!!!!
Go Figure
I wonder if Connor has a big callous running down the center of both palms from paddling so much like that.. .. Andy.. Did you check out his hands?..
DJ
A little birdy was telling me recently that alot of the top boys regularly change their paddles (size of) during different stages of the race depending on the conditions.
Obviously only if they have a support boat can this be done.
