surf4fun said...
I don't represent SUPA or have any affiliation but in regards to Kelly's comment first of all let me say there should DEFINITLEY be prizes/money for the women.
BUT, if you look at the Dr the women received a third of the prize money that the men received in the 14 class. Does this seem fair when there were 25 men and 4 women? I wouldn't mind a 1 in 4 chance of winning $1000 opposed to a 1 in 25 of $3000.
On the other hand if it was based on number of participants generating prize money how many women or men for that matter would travel to possibly win $100 or $200 or less? In most cases that would hardly cover accommodation for an interstate trip or petrol for a run up/down the coast event.
I agree with HV, random prize draw is a great way to increase participation as it attracts all types of paddlers. At the Duel recently Coreban gave away a board as a random prize and it was the only presentation that I have seen everyone hang around for. In the end it went to probably the newest paddler out of everyone in the race, what a great way to secure him into the stoke of paddling.
Not trying to pick a bone, but when you look at The Doctor, the total prize money up for grabs for the men was $8,700 (for outright, 14' and 12'6") and for the women $1,300 (we couldn't choose a class). (You might argue that the outright money could go to women but in reality in any race which attracts a field of elite guys this isn't going to happen).
When you consider that 5 of the 39 starters were women (12.8%) and we were racing for 13% of the total prize pool, the organisers got the money spot on!
I think there are plenty of paddlers prepared to travel for the right events regardless of the prizes/money up for grabs. Anyone who tells you that they race SUP's to make profit is kidding themselves. Even for the most elite paddlers in the richest races, there's always someone else chasing close behind and prize money is (almost) never guaranteed. You only need to consider Molokai - the cost of entering this race is HUGE and even if you win 1st place you won't recover the costs of participating but plenty of people still do the race.
Locally, most of the Gold Coast crew who went up to the Ocean Addicts BOP race weren't going for the money (and happy to pay for the fuel regardless) and hopefully a good crew of Sunny Coasters will do the same for the 12 Towers this weekend.
Races without any money are fine and often a lot of fun and as you say a random draw for a major prize is a great way of getting lots of people involved!
As Kelly said though, I would still like some feedback from SUPA as to why they appear to be backing the men and not the women.
!!!!
