nationals 2015

Whaaaaaaat? I hope not, I've already booked accommodation for 19 November.

And pumping plumbing sparkys

UNOFFICIALLY

11 - 15 October

And yes, Its Midweek

I was told that the date had changed to October even though Surfing NSW have sent us the original dates. I was told the decision had been made and it was being announced last week. I still haven't heard. As Stimo said I believe the decision was made so that more of the WA guys could attend as the original date conflicted with many of the big WA downwind events. Makes sense considering it's Nationals, however, as people need to book leave and accommodation it would be nice to get official notification soon.

I'll chase up with AUSup and Surfing Australia.

My Understanding is the marathon will be held on Sunday the 11th this will allow maximum participation, I also believe that the dates were changed to allow maximum participation from all states as our research indicated that many states would struggle to send a team around the original dates. All states branches are liable for paying their allocations that are not filled to Surfing Australia which would mean that many state branches would be out of pocket. I guess the major issue we have is that SUP is becoming so popular around the globe and alot of events dates are starting to conflict, both pro and amateur. Surfing Australia has held many forums with state associations (during the nationals) to try and work out the best dates that offer the best conditions. (at the end of the day event organisers should set dates that offer the best possible conditions for that location and the SUP dicipline to be participated in) , its hard to try and have an event that offers the best conditions for BOP, SUP Surfing and Racing, throw some pro and amateurs in the mix and it starts to get even harder to keep everyone happy. I strongly believe that setting dates for the chance of participants to compete in the best possible conditions for the disciplines on offer is the priority.

So I got (as I guess everyone else ) an email to tell me the new dates of Australian title
Surfing and racing from 12 th to 15th of October
Technical and surfing from 12th to 14th Monday to wednesday and long distance the 15th on thursday
I hope everyone can take the week off!!!
No windows for the long distance so I am not sure anybody is learning something from the previous years really
If it ends up being the popular race that it should be to showcase our sport we'll be lucky I guess...

For what its worth ...here's my two cents.
Why is it that the national administration...Surfing Australia, is turning itself inside out to accommodate a discipline that in reality shares more commonality with canoeing.
Those of us who are passionate about the surfing side of the sport have been expressing our displeasure at the National Titles for surf SUP, being held at a time and place that affords very limited opportunity for a showcase of the countries best, long and loud. However a bunch of gear heads with conflicting dates kick up a stink and low and behold....
Just what is it that drives our governing body...Olympic glory, or a genuine desire to service the needs of its charter members...surfers
For the record. I have no animosity toward those who paddle distance, downwind or tour. But unless we are talking surfing or technical racing eg BOP style in the surf, there is absolutely no reason why Surfing Australia should be involved. In fact the sooner the flat water disciplines are removed from the equation, the sooner we will see whether the governing body has our best interests at heart or is simply tolerating us because of the associated benefits.
If the answer is as I suspect, we as Paddle Boarders and Surfers need to take a long hard look at which organisations truly have our best interests at heart and can further the needs of our unique and diverse sport/lifestyle/art form.
Cheers
Sparx

Ok a couple of facts here:
1. The Nationals were initially slated for October of this year, as they were last year. The international calendar is very full as is the national surfing calendar, so Surfing Australia has worked pretty hard to find a date that suits.
2. The SUP forum held in QLD 2 years ago recommended that the Ntaionals should be held earlier in the season, rather than later (closer to Christmas) for best participation and better conditions for surfing.
3. A handful of international riders and an international event co-ordinator approached Surfing Asutralia to move the Nationals (in October) because it clashed with their event. SA suddenly moved the event to November.
4. The feedback from the SUP forum was pointed out to SA and also the fact that a number of states would struggle to make the Nationals at that time of year and SA took onboard that "significant" amount of feedback to move the Nationals back to close to the original dates (abeit allowing for the international event)

SA do a fantastic job running the Nationals. The October date, certainly didn't cater for the marathon paddlers last year and a week either side of the Nationals ended out being fantastic surfing conditions. There is no conspiracy against surfing over marathon, in fact the greatest consideration is being given to optimal surfing conditions (as far as I'm aware). The Nationals in WA next year are working to exactly that goal. A marathon (as last year proved) can be held in any conditions - tail wind, head wind and the best paddlers will still rise to the top.

Everyone has figured out by now, the Nationals will crown the best marathon paddler in the country. If you love downwinding - you'll go to one of the numerous DW events around the country - 12 Towers, KotC, etc.
The Nationals should be and to my knowledge are, all about getting the best SUP surfing conditions held at a time of year for the best participation. SA are the best people to achieve this - and frankly, they do a bloody good job.