You're spot on Pete, and when I manage to finish just a few minutes (okay 10 minutes +) behind Jamie or Jacko or Jake in flat water, then watch them tear it up overseas in a major surf race or open ocean, my ego thinks I could do that, even though the reality is totally different. This is the aspirational nature of the sport. We race in flat water and pretend we are doing Molokai or Huntington Beach.
- but I still find myself training a lot on the flatwater board out of necessity.
)
Hi all, long time reader, first time adding to the forum.
There are a lot of comments on this post about what type of racing is most likely to attract participants, etc. I have not seen as many comments about how to promote SUP to attract new participants (apart from the schools, which is a great idea, if funding can be sourced). As a fairly new entrant to the sport, I found the demo days are a fantastic way to allow people to try it out for themselves, and many are quickly hooked and looking to buy a board, train, get fit and maybe even race.
How do you make those days more accessible? I see them promoted a lot on these forums and other simliar types of sites, but not as much outside of them - can more be done to get the message on local radio, newspapers, etc through friends, contacts, community messages, etc? (this may already being done, but I haven't noticed it)
Also, is there any sense in holding demo days at or near surf carnivals, at or near universities with flat water at hand (Bond Uni, UQ, etc) and anywhere else where there may be young people or athletes who may be possible recruits to the sport?
okay i've got it all wrong.
flatwater races only is the go so everyone can do it
what a fool i've been
no more ocean paddling for me
oops, i forgot. no more surfing in the ocean either- its to hard for everyone.
surfing currumbin ck - yeah. just gotta hope some boats go past
god i do.....golf without drinking beer is boring as
god i do.....golf without drinking beer is boring as
phil, that wasn't a good bop race, more of a lottery imo.
that was too elite. now the guys put on a good show even verging on being dangerous with those boards flying around. think of the clubbie incidents- does sup need that? for mainstream events i don't have any issues with finding flater water when conditions are not suitable.
I am not really sure about all this and it is a hard one
I understand we need to uncrease the numbers of participants
I understand flat races are good for that.
But at the end of the day things have to be inspirational as well.
Nobody says Molokai is too hard. And it does inspire people.
You want to enter or not Is your choice but even if there is a place for flat water races don't get rid of races that make people dream and want to achieve something.
A national title in australia in flat water would be a bit of a shame considering the expertise at hand in this country and you would expect a minimum of natural difficulties to master.
So.... In a nutshell and to summarize, what people want is 100's of people to turn up to races in conditions that keep everyone happy and if not they're soft anyway.
The events should also to be stand alone and everyone should receive prize money from sponsors who are apparently making millions of dollars by supplying quazi elite paddlers with discounted boards. Too easy right??? WRONG!
If you guys want sponsors and money at your events, a great suggestion would be to include and encourage the mass of the market to come along as like it or not they are the ones paying for the industry to exist.
Point is unless there is somewhere achievable for a lot of people to start and feel good about it they won't. Kids are an avenue of course but there are thousands of adults with money looking to be involved as well.
events like this already exist.
The Mullumbimby to brunswick 10km flat water every year in may for example.
You have a racing category with good paddlers coming. Jake won 2 years ago, Troy last year so it is not a slow field.
But on the top of that you have a fun race where people start when they want with no timing involved, their main goal being to achieve paddling 10km.
This is the only event my wife considers doing and she is keen to go every year.
We have to remember as well that paddling 10 or 20km is an achievement for a lot of people whatever speed they will paddle it.
What is good in this event is that the fun race is open let's say at 9am. So all the fun participants start to go. Then at 9.30 am the normal race starts.
All the fun participants get passed by the ones racing and it give them the opportunity to see exactly what is happening in a race when people wash ride and try hard.
Things they will never see if they are on the same starting line as the top paddlers are fading away very quickly.
And the top paddlers get cheered all the way by the fun participants.
A very good event indeed with plenty of different crafts on the water with very young and very old paddlers .
Good Point Paul ... But The second ( or third) choice Could be Kingscliff and co-incidentally next SUNDAY 24th March their is such an event ..
A Flat water 5 k race in the River .. annnnd on the same card a BOP Race on the beach ... The entry fees are $55 which to some is a bit high but you get a Bag full of stuff and if your an amateur ( like most of em in the river race ) you get a chance in the draw for a whole lot of expensive stuff Illusions FCS SUPs SUP Bags DECK GRIP .. the list goes on and on ... RIVER STARTS AT 9am BOP 10:30am (EDST)
REGISTRATION AT KINGSCLIFF SURF CLUB from 7am EDST .. If your not Paddling hear the "Dog" do the race call .. thats worth the effort in getting down and watch The BEST in the World and Newcomers paddle all at one event. A RACE NOT UNLIKE MOST OF THE PREVIOUS POSTS WERE TALKING ABOUT.
well the consensus is , all forms of racing have their place , its just getting the balance right. The Kingy race is a great model something for everyone , the newbies , the ELITE the weekend warrriors.
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Just want to be clear that this thread started 3 days BEFORE the race on the weekend and should not be regarded as a comment on the merits of the weekend's race. BOP Racing even in the extremes of last Saturday obviously has a cherished place at the top of SUP racing, no-one wants to change that.
I have always thought that the Broadwater would be a good place for a flat water event. The distance from the Sundale Bridge to Paradise Point is about 10Km. There is a lot of opportunitiy for spectators along the route and the sponsors could get good exposure too.
. how about you guys race in front of froggies
I have just been advised that have been successfully in a grant to obtain 10 inflatable 12'6 boards and adjustable paddles for club members so that they can enter events and have a go at training, club days etc until they see if they enjoy it and get their own craft.
Happy Days Sunshine Coast SUP Club.
I have another one in place for $38k for fully enclosed club trailer (house 12 race board and all club gear and 150 RFID bracelets and computer system. I think we will get this and then be able to hire out the RFID's to other groups to run events. This will make the management of events much easier.
The trailer will be available for club members to travel to events collectively and also ensure their gear is stored securely when away from home.
just making my point again
make it look fun! make it look as professional as you can.
