I guess that would have to be part of the consideration when chosing the location and timing. Not that familiar with Qld's conditions in November. I wouldnt be suprised to see the different disciplines splitting at some stage.
Don't know about running multiple qualification rounds of 20km races, would work for surfing and BOP though.
20 km race is a no brainer > Line them up and fire the gun - one in all in.
SUP Surf not so easy > Set the entry price for non-seeded comtetitors at a point that only makes those really willing to back themselves up for the entry fee. Keep it cut throat - heats of 6 with 1 or 2 going through until the seeds are introduced.
Another thing to consider is that not all states will have the same depth and I agree that it is important to book mark a set amount of spots for all states. There will however be some states that are blessed with greater depth and have a handful of competitive surfers/paddlers that didn't qualify for a "seeding" but most probably would have through some of the states without the same depth > Would the guy or girl who misses out by one spot through the QLD states most likely make the cut elsewhere? Apologies for the bias. Again
This concept would keep those that are quickly developing and may be just off the cusp of the "Elite" still able to be involved and be better for the experience. It may also make it possoble for certain Elite individuals to duck back from overseas to put their toes on the start line or the neck through the competitive rashie.
Cheers
HV
The SUP community needs to develop an attitude of gratitude, and give constructive thanks to the people that are trying to grow this sport.
"knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than our current situation"
Thank you to all the people that are working hard to develop this sport!
I would have no problem with opening up the numbers for the marathon, but there still should be a qualification through state titles - you should have to have at least completed the distance at states or you can't enter nationals. We don't want some backpacker or tourist hiring a board for the first time and entering a 30km race and getting lost at sea.
Just for clarity,
The racing can be done at anytime of the year and the Elite BOP racers love big conditions so why cant the event date be changed to July / August to get more contestable surfing conditions?
I'm happy to race whatever the Rules say.
I'm just thankful i get the chance to do it.
Once the girls numbers pick up then we will have more of a say but until then just support it.
Most of the girls i know here and overseas only ever race 12'6 and only own a 12'6.
12'6 is the main class of girls all over the world so why should Australia be any different?
BOP Long distance 16km, elite girls 12'6
San Fran Battle of Bay 24km (Long & Short), Elite girls 12'6
ISA 24km (Long & Short), Girls 12'6
Paddle Royal 18km (Long & Short), Elite girls 12'6
Carolina Cup 26km (Long), Elite girls 12'6
Hennessys (Long), girls 12'6
Stand Up World Series (Long & Short), girls 12'6
So maybe train and do the hard yards on a 12'6 and just be thankful you are able and willing to race.
Stand up is so great so lets not get caught up on 40.64 cm! Guys that is LOL
Also 12'6 is so much more easy to airplane travel with within OZ and Overseas with most airlines.
X angie
The sport will only endure thru juniors.So why not let them enter.I know 3 that will come from vico . If you dont support the groms you will end up with no future for the sport. Just look at Christy page.She is probably the best female wave paddler in Australia.She gets invited to america to compete . But she cant compete here to get rated. That really sucks!!!
I have been following this Topic since it started as I am interested in how people see competetion as a necessary part of being involved with the ocean. Of course there will always be people who have a competitive nature and others who would rather not compete or are just "average". What is interesting to me is the regular queries on how to grow the sport and get more people involved. Many thoughts have been put forward.
There is a regular thread that I notice arising in this and other similar forums. In this topic I note, in several places, where "elite" and "seeded" competitors are mentioned. This very thing is off putting to a lot of people. There are very few people who will become "elite" or "seeded". If these people are so good, why do they go in towards the final rounds. If they are that good they should be starting in the first rounds and making their way to the finals just like an "unseeded" or "non elite" paddler would have to do. This would give the lower ranked paddler something to aspire to and a more even spread of competition. Who knows Johnny NoName may even beat one of these guys or girls. This is just my opinion of course, but after being involved in lots of sports over many years one thing that sticks out is that a newcomer or base level competitor doesn't want to feel inferior or an underachiever.
If you want to "grow" something then the best thing to do is make it accessible to all, welcome all, affordable to all, fun for all, equitable to all and definitely never pack up and be going home before everyone has finished, as has happened in the past. Prices, if offered, should be spread through the field so as to encourage all participants.
ET.
Hey Woody,
I believe the point being made is not that she is being disqualified but that there is no Junior Competition in Australia for boys or girls at this time there for they compete in Open Womens and Open Mens Comps.
If they compete in Open division it doesn't provide a junior ranking.
Sean we will change that in Vicco, there is specific focus being put into juniors for surfing and racing and SUP Vic is fully behind the junior development program.
This summer there will be plenty of juniors rocking sup.
Phill
My understanding is that junior categories are on the agenda for Surfing Australia, but the feeling is the numbers competing at local level do not currently justify a national title. Hopefully that will change in the very near future, however I think you're right Phill, programs and competitions organised at club level are essential to validate junior divisions at state and national level.
in the last two years it seemed that boards sizes were all settled -14' ocean, 12'6 'bop'.
brands and the sup public knew where things were going and planned for the future.
now in the third year the isa, sa and lobby groups have decided 12'6 is now 'it'.
in that time unlimited- dead, 14' now appears to be on the culling list too
its hard for me to get my head around all this.
does this mean manufacturers will drop their 14' boards too and eventually only produce 12'6 boards
jenny craig will do well whether you need to or not
still should be a event. love it if they opened up the racing.
The 12'6 has traction because some organisers have succumbed to believing that it's easier to travel with a 12'6 than it is a 14' - ask the guys who went to Peru and used inflatables about the truth of that statement. Either board is a pain to transport in anything but a container and for this reason events must ideally be held in places where there are sufficient boards available for visiting competitors to borrow or rent. This may not practical for the Stand Up World Series - but for everyone else it should be.
We've decided to run our selection events on 14's and although some question the wisdom of it, arguing the selected riders must prepare on 12'6's. I feel that Dylan Fricks ISA 3rd place vindicates the view that you are not disadvantaged at all. He'd literally never paddle a 12'6 before.
What we felt was right was that all riders are lumped in the same class (incl Juniors and Ladies) which means everyone gets measured equally at every race as opposed to people going slower on 12'6's and not knowing whether its the board, effort or lack of talent.....When our guys were training for ISA worlds last year they were getting beaten by guys on 14's all the time and only racing one or two other elite guys.
You are diluting your racing by splitting people up into several board classes.
Dylan is the first one to come through on the mens side, Brigette came 3rd last year having only trained on a 12'6 for 2 months.
You've made your bed offering 12'6 class racing - very difficult to reverse once people have bought boards - but I sincerely feel our model makes more sense.
Hi Guys
I know that the time of the event has more to do with the ISA worlds being in April and Surfing Australia wanting to have their Nationals closer to this event as it is the selection event for the Australian Team.
It is a shame that you can only attend the nationals by making the State team, but it makes sense given the nature of the event.
As far as the board length goes. From what I understand, the 12'6 has been choosen as the elite divsion length for male and female because this is what ISA wants. As Angie has pointed out it is much easier to transport 12'6 around the country and the world - especially to Peru. We struggle in Perth to fill our 12'6 events as most paddlers are on 14'. This is the same in most States except Queensland as far as I know. There is no conspiracy involved, just practicality in terms of selecting 12'6 as the elite board. (The Doctor Race had a 12'6 and 14' division and the big names brought over 14' and there was only one 12'6 entered!)
It should be an awesome event. Fantastic that we now have a stand alone Nationla event after one year! Well done to Surfing Australia for making the committment to SUP.
Ok im confused , should i buy a 12,6 , a 14 or an inflatableThe only thing simple is it doesent matter ill come last on all of themGood bit of banter but their are plenty of events for novices to go in , and ride what they like , two coming up Mullum race and Scotts Head , or go to your local SUP comp day. The Australian tiltles shouldnt be opened up , you should have to earn it.!
It will be interesting to see if the Marathon course is designed to suit 12'6" boards. 
Ok Woody now I think I have it?
The Elite class for all races is 12'6
The ISA Class is 12'6 (makes sense)
But the guys can paddle 14s non ISA Class in the 30km Marathon and the girls are restricted to 12'6 ISA Class (hmmmm)
Most races are designated ISA Class 12'6 as its easier to ship a 12'6 board (makes sense) apart from when you travel to Perth for the Doctor presumably the furthest distance away hardest place to ship to maybe most expensive to ship to where all the Elite paddle 14s
. Raises eyebrow only have one
Goochi is saying that in WA they struggle to fill the ISA Class 12'6 at Club races and the Doctor (only 1 entry) as do other states according to the jungle drums and most people paddle 14s non ISA Class as is the case in Vicco.
So with all that it mind, who will be paddle on what for the 30km Marathon
I'm going for a surf to work it out back later.
. I think.
