Well...... both Woody and Adapt have suggested the Queensland Titles thread be left for those who want to discuss the event. Fair call. Look at this as an opportunity to comment on the state of play in the National SUP competition scene and I'm happy to kick it off.
First up we should acknowledge the great job that Surfing Australia is doing in promoting the sport. But, this is a two way street, Surfing Oz need us just as much as we need them. Potential numbers down the track, specifically in the flat water and BOP style disciplines is astronomic if the numbers in the U.S. are anything to go by.
My point, and I am getting to it, is that the governing body seems to have a skewed vision of the demographic. How many teens and twenty somethings ride SUP as compared to crusty old farts like myself. Reckon you'll find the ods fall well and truly on my side of forty. Why then does'nt the state of play at the Nationals reflect that. Having a division that consists of two heats is a freakin joke! Even the Alaia and trad single fins get a better crack than that.
As for contacting my State Branch...been there done that. Contacted the National and NSW branch as well but the underlying message was, that it is what it is. With just two days to run all the SUP divisions (therein lays the problem) it would be impossible to run the Over 40s as anything but a two heat wonder.
As for the other stuff, or more specifically surfing in somebody elses State Titles......geez, you'd hate to get knocked by someone from another State. What would be good would be if as well as the State qualifying round, each State had a seperate open division in which the State qualifiers got to go head to head with all comers, sort of a mini tour. Would make for some interesting match ups I reckon!
At the end of the day I am thankfull that we have well run State and National Titles, whats the old saying about baby steps. My problem is I love to compete and I love to surf, not everyones cuppa and nor should it be!
Vented now, feel much better....time for a Bex and a good lay down
Cheers
Sparx