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distance events are good but people like to watch the blue ribbon 100m sprint not the marathon.Jake young blokes like yourself would find it hard i would imagine to come up with a few grand to buy a 18ft ocean racing board? its a bit like the fast suits worn in the olympics , their needs to be a level playing field otherwise its just who has the biggest most expensive toy wins.And like all sports and life in general the kids are the future if you dont engage the kids its just middle age men living out their waterman fantasies , and the sport may not progress which would be a shame as i think it could be huge in a lot of different ways, and exciting to watch.
How would you be able to watch a 16km event as a spectator other than being on a boat following them?
These oversized boards are probably great fun and all, if you are heading in the right direction, have the money to buy one, a truck to carry it from place to place and a loyal support crew to pick you up at the other end.
A good race should be about the athletes rather than the equipment imho. This event seems to be equipment focused - XP vs DC16 vs Penetrator. It also seems to be the ocean equivalent of a walking race... surely a kayak would be way faster than stand up paddling.
Sorry guys, but I don't get it either.
Have you guys ever paddled outriggers or ski's and linked up run after run after run in open ocean? Once you have you will know the feeling and the excitement that lures some of us into trying it on stand up boards.
If you haven't and just prefer to surf or sprint through the break..then great! Just do that. Maybe start up a new forum discussion on it. Some people don't need spectators but self challenges.
Have a look at this C4 video showing them doing a down winder in Hawaii. I can see people doing this around Sydney in the sea breeze during the summer.
Stuey, you've posted your response the same time as me, and tonight I'm definitely sober. I got to wake up early to head for the coast for the w/e - conditions look great. I also tend to stay away from forums when I'm drinking. If I'm at home and drunk I tend to lurk around ebay instead. You would be amazed at some of the stuff that arrives in the post during the week.
The issue is not what you guys/girls enjoy doing - it looks like tons of fun. The issue was pointed out in the very first response to the topic and has been repeated numerous times.
I and others have trouble understanding why you guys would add a single SUP event that excludes the vast majority of people doing the sport. Hearing the reason is some crock about officals not wanting to sit through it just make you guys sound a tad elitist - SUP snobs if you like. What is the problem with adding other SUP events that better represent the people who are doing the sport?
i love internet forums its fun getting a rise out of people.StueyC and AissieWahine i do get your love of down wind and the personal challenge,s it brings .Maybee stuey when you have a few boards you could hire them for races for those people who cant afford one.
Stuey..you will meet me soon. When I come and watch you make my "Penetrate Her" over the next month !! Want me to start looking at colours ?
I'm going for a surf ! See ya.
I'm going for a surf ! See ya.
I have a trainer kite usually used to practice for kitesurfing.
The small wakeboard type craft used in kiteboarding require a massive kite to drive them. 9 metres plus.
A 11'2'' starboard only needs a small trainer kite to drive it.
Interesting times ahead
ATTENTION '' POOR WALLIES ''.....IMPORTANT NOTICE....PLEASE READ
cue Indian accent : "In order to keep up with public demand the directors of
Laguna Bay have ordered me to come up with a dirt cheep
Penetrator or it's my job"!!!
Seriously though paddlers I have got good news, heaps of discussion has gone on about the apparently astronomical cost of O.R. sup equipment and after speaking about it with Tully today we have a solution. Though he has yet to fully crunch the numbers he believes we can do a 16' Penetrator (less the carbon frame) one colour, matt finish for.....believe it or not....$1,800. We're gonna have to streamline production for this model and it wont be anything fancy but you'll still get a fully-fledged Penetrator, though heavier as in order to obtain the same strength as the carbon race version we have to add more glass. So, don't say we don't listen, there's an affordable entry level 16' O.R. Sup.
In other news however, the top of the line, carbon race versions of both the 16' and 18' will increase in price! Although I still think they're a bargain considering what I have to go through to make one. I imagine at this stage a Penetrator 572 will set you back somewhere around $4500. For that you get 5.72 mtrs (that's 18'9"), of lightweight, handshaped polystyrene core, handbuilt carbon/epoxy frame, self centreing rudder system with lightweight hand-foiled foam carbon skeg, lightweight epoxy skin and finished in a variety of metalic or pearl colours.
I'll have some photos up of the progress of the first 18' during the week and will have more about the fist version of the ladies model soon......Stuey
That's great news Stuey..A 16' Penetrator for under two grand..even if it is a little heavier and have less carbon...One color..Matt finiish..Who cares..
I have a couple of friends that I'm sure will jump on that deal...You may even have shops down here interested in selling them..Is that what you want?
Will these cheaper boards..btw..are they boards or boats?...anyway will they be hollow?..not have a hand shaped foam core?..foot steering?
It's no big deal either way just wondering...I'm sure others here would love to see some pics and hear more about this bargain priced Penetrator.
I'm an F1 sorta guy and I'd love to hear more and see some pics re the new four and a half grand 572 (not that I can afford one).
DJ
Hey Stuey, David, NewcastleSUP...I know some of you are already members of my "ning" website. You might find it interesting that I just realised that a very good friend of mine Guy Pere has been a member also for a few months. He's hiding under a humble profile. Anyway Guy won the Duke's distance SUP race last week. He also won the Honolua a few months back. He came 2nd overall in the race of 119 SUP and paddleboarders in 1hr 29 mins. Less than 2 mins behind the Paddleboard winner.
He was in the 14.6ft and under category. They have 12.6 ft & Under, 14.6ft & Under and over 14.6ft categories. I'm not sure what brand board he rides but he would be a great person to discuss Distance Boards with as he is clearly leading the field on this in Hawaii at present. I loaded full results on my site thismorning listing all the categories if you haven't already seen them elsewhere.
For those of you who don't know about my "ning" SUP web site, it's kinda like Facebook or Myspace but exclusively for SUP paddlers. It has over 320 members so far from all over the World including Board & Paddle manufacturers, Pro surfers, Publishers, Reps etc. It's a place to meet SUP surfers & paddlers from all over the World, load photo's, video's bla bla
I still need a board to use for these races someone must have enough money to buy 2 18 foot boards so they can lend me one.
Why would you buy a 16 foot board when it looks like the 18 footboards will be faster seems like you would be wasting your money buy a 16 footer.
Lets not turn this sport in to the person with the most money wins or maybe there should be a free size limit but a RRP limit in stead say $4000 cap any board that you can buy of the shelf can race and then an experimental class where guys can go nuts and spend what they want and then the sport can still progress with new technology coming down in to the caped class.
Just some sunday thoughts.
Jacko
I agree with you DJ, the engine is the thing that powers it. I think the 18's will kill any race on flat water but may struggle in the big winds/swells but I guess time will tell. Hard to judge. Dave Kalama won the Molokai on a F18 SIC board.
Maybe there should be a one design class like the good old one design windsurfers where everyone rode the same craft.
Stuey, you would be amazed how many people have talked about sewing some wings into their rashy, I think you will see something sooner rather than later....
