NATION'S BEST WILL HEAD TO CURRUMBIN FOR THE BE THE INFLUENCE AUSTRALIAN SUP AND PADDLEBOARD TITLES IN NOVEMBER
COOLANGATTA/QLD (19th April, 2013): Global SUP heartland Currumbin on the Gold Coast will host the inaugural Be the Influence Australian SUP and Paddleboard Titles from November 7-10.
Organised by Surfing Australia, it is the first time SUP and paddleboarding will conduct standalone national titles. Previously SUP has been included in the Australian Surf Festival.
Currumbin is one of the country's hotspots for the burgeoning sport of SUP and is the training venue for some of Australia's and the world's best paddlers.
The event is backed by the Be the Influence - Tackling Binge Drinking initiative, which is a Federal Government campaign addressing youth binge drinking and the influence of alcohol promotion on young Australians by promoting anti-binge drinking messaging through sport sponsorships.
Gold Coast Coast City Council is backing the event for two years and Chairperson of the GCCC Events Advisory Committee Bob La Castra said it was a perfect fit for the region.
“For us it's another top-draw surfing event, which we are always looking to secure and we're very excited that Currumbin will be the host for the first time.”
The SUP titles will be held across three disciplines: surfing; Technical Race between 4-8km of several laps in and out through the surf; and a 20-30km Marathon.
The paddleboard titles will be held in two disciplines; Technical Race between 4-8km of several laps in and out through the surf; and a 20-30km Marathon.
Each State – Victoria, WA, SA, NSW, Queensland and Tasmania – will host their own titles from which teams will be selected.
Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said the huge growth and interest in SUP warranted standalone national titles.
“We are very excited to be able to offer both SUP and paddleboarding their own national titles,” Stark said.
“Both disciplines and their stakeholders deserve the recognition and it's a fantastic opportunity for the Gold Coast and Currumbin.”
Ten-time Molokai to Oahu paddleboard champion and captain of TravelSIM Team Australia at the ISA SUP and Paddleboard titles Jamie Mitchell, said the event was a step in the right direction for both disciplines.
“I always knew it would happen but sometimes things need time but as the sports grew, especially SUP, it was always going to need its own standalone event so I think it's great that Surfing Australia is supporting the sport and seeing that it has a great future ahead.
“You couldn't get a better venue then Currumbin. It's a great SUP wave for the surfing contest and you have the creek and the river mouth to utilise for the racing side of things and it's very spectator friendly. Plus you have a handful of the best SUP racers in the world that train in the Creek and live locally so it makes for a great event.”
AuSUP chairman Troy Pease said the organisation was ecstatic to see national prominence for the sport. AuSUP is recognised by Surfing Australia as the national advisory body for SUP.
“Stand-up paddling in Australia has become so huge in such as small amount of time that even the world has stood up to take notice and how fantastic for the national surfing body Surfing Australia to back and present a standalone national SUP titles at arguably the epicentre of SUP in the country, Currumbin,” Pease said.
“The versatility of the location, the experience and professionalism of Surfing Australia along with the event's supporting sponsors has certainly set the scene for the toughest SUP competition in Australia.”
DIVISIONS:
SUP:
Surfing: Men; Women; Over 40 Open; Over 50 Open
Technical Race – 4-8km sprint (12'6): Men; Women; Over 40 Open; Over 50 Open
Marathon – 20-30km (12'6): Men; Women.
Marathon – 20-30km (14'): Over 40 Open; Over 50 Open.
Marathon – 20-30km (14'): Open
PADDLEBOARDING:
Racing Technical– 4-8km (12' stock): Men; Women; Over 40.
Marathon –20-30km (12' stock): Men; Women; Over 40 Open.
Marathon –20-30km (Unlimited 18' with rudder): Open
Information on Be the Influence - Tackling Binge Drinking can be found at www.tacklingbingedrinking.gov.au. The Be the Influence - Tackling Binge Drinking sponsorship is managed through the Australian National Preventive Health Agency.
Also PT, that they were providing loan boards to interstate competitors so they can just fly in without the need for BYO boards and the long drive...what a fantastic initiative....
Here's hoping for swell! Mobile, I don't know? Maybe to a time of year there is normally swell!!
In saying that, great spot for the comp and racing, I just wish they could have held it in the swell season, also it's so far away from the state titles.
I question the wisdom of your racing classes - if the goal is to make SUP accessible to the broader public then why must each rider bring/organise 2x raceboards, endure a 20-30km SUP race and there is no junior division?
Not sure why events have been taking this direction but the average punter would not relate, and although the event is aimed at the best paddlers, surely it would more sensible to make events aspirational so that more people over time would participate.
The problem is, if ISA events have this format, then it trickles down to national championship event level. Then local events will have to emulate this because the logic is that in order to prepare for national and international events then local events have to copy this format as well.
I think its a problem if the aim is growing participation in the sport. Simplify it and make it more accessible, 30km is ridiculous outside standalone speciality events.
I don't think this event is about making SUP accessible to the greater public, remember this is THE National Titles. This is where the guys and girls who train hard all year come to test themselves, it is not a social cruise.
Important to note there is a 14' Open class and the Over 40s and Over 50s are also 14'. The only people who have to paddle 12'6" are those competing to snag the holiday to Peru.
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You do have a valid point, although I doubt most people on this forum actually understand it hence the negative response. I would love a standardized length but the issue arises from bop race format which requires a 12'6. I blame manufacturer's wanting to make a buck (like the iphone industry) instead of taking the lead and defining the sport.
I don't think you can blame the manufacturers - its the event organisers that are feeding the beast - cancel the 12'6 class at your events and the manufacturers will respond to demand and focus on 14's (and to some extent unlimited).
