Seems like the comp scene has changed once again in SUP. This time it's no longer the 12'6 switcharoo but the 9ft+ sup longboarding.
i feel like the 9ft + division is the kind of weird.
i get it for travelling purposes but for a longboarding division in SUP it's always going to be 10ft to me.
I don't see the point of having a SUP longboarding division if it's a 50/50 based score on a 9ft board when 80% of the surfing done will be predominantly on the back of the board and 20 % (if lucky) at the front.
It's basically just another sup shortboard style of surfing category. if the boards are 9ft now then the scoring or criteria should be based more on a traditional style of longboarding, if you want a longboarding division in SUP keep it about longboarding.
considering the demographic of most sup surfers 50 - 70 most can't noseride on a 9'0, it's actually super hard in general then add style.
Who made these forever changing scenarios anyway?
Can a proper plan be made for the future of SUP longboarding in a competitive aspect?
If performance longboarding is a division based on a 50/50 scenario the why isn't their a division for traditional longboarding styles for SUP that actually reflects longboarding and not what certain people deem it to be.
The WSL longboarding competition at bells everyone should study.
paddle or not, that's longboarding.
and that's how it's scored in competitions in 2025.
Yep, keep it traditional, I'll still be ridding 10s, there was a reason the big boards made a comeback, they are f#$&@ing fun to surf. Keep moving the goal posts and people will be divided and loose interest.
Interesting comments for those that have been in the sport for a long time, comps would have died out years ago had another sup category not been pushed for. Ten ft was a chosen length at the time. Sorry for all those who are critical of the 9fters, truth be known running an event in Bali after COVID I couldn't get my 10 fter to Bali for the event out of melb so I went **** it I'll make it a 9fter comp so I could get my sup to the comp that i ran.. sorry for the ****en self interest but also part of that ****en logic, was then that allows the 10 fters to become a traditional category that some other dick head can spend years of their life lobbying surfing Australia to to adopt that category, it's common ****en sense but some other person can do that. The 9ft category has breathed new life into sup that has doubled entries and provided another part of the future for sup. That is what's important for the sport and that the roots, soul and community is built around that provides longevity to the sport that now is 20 years old. People are critical about the old ****ers still having their input but until that next generation step up be grateful for what has been achieved.
Select to expand quoteockanui said..
Interesting comments for those that have been in the sport for a long time
I don't think the comments were against the 9' limit.They were about the judgment criteria.
From what I understand, you could enter a 9'+ comp with a 10' (or a 11', 12') and still be competitive if the rules rewarded styling and flow more than aggressiveness.
In truth, you all seem to agree.
Select to expand quoteockanui said..
Interesting comments for those that have been in the sport for a long time, comps would have died out years ago had another sup category not been pushed for. Ten ft was a chosen length at the time. Sorry for all those who are critical of the 9fters, truth be known running an event in Bali after COVID I couldn't get my 10 fter to Bali for the event out of melb so I went **** it I'll make it a 9fter comp so I could get my sup to the comp that i ran.. sorry for the ****en self interest but also part of that ****en logic, was then that allows the 10 fters to become a traditional category that some other dick head can spend years of their life lobbying surfing Australia to to adopt that category, it's common ****en sense but some other person can do that. The 9ft category has breathed new life into sup that has doubled entries and provided another part of the future for sup. That is what's important for the sport and that the roots, soul and community is built around that provides longevity to the sport that now is 20 years old. People are critical about the old ****ers still having their input but until that next generation step up be grateful for what has been achieved.
Let's put it straight as we shoot the Seabreeze MJ
im grateful for you, you have pushed the envelope and moved the needle for the greater good.
im not at all against the older crew at all i just sit with a different and younger perspective.
im hungry still after 17 years and im only 42.
sit with my perspective for a moment.
i was watching Marty coles clip that casso shot the other day, 10ft sup longboarding by one of the best, glimpses of traditional style but more explosive, comp style good luck beating that. now I compare that to my style more old skool tradition style . What's a better approach?
in a comp scenario what would score better if it's a longboarding division?
sub divisions? In a all out sup longboard event?
what's the APP take in that?
10ft allows that open expression of sup longboarding whilst I feel the 9ft only caters to a back footed style of longboarding, unless you are Zane or Benoit and the likes.
Sunova has already got it right with their two piece boards. easy to assemble and travel with.maybe 2 piece board design is the future of sup or more particular sup longboarding and then the 10ft division remains the pinnacle of longboarding sup style?
I own 3x 10ft sup longboards
i never go sup longboarding on my 9ft. I use it as a step up. Riding twin fins of course.
Select to expand quotecolas said..ockanui said..
Interesting comments for those that have been in the sport for a long time
I don't think the comments were against the 9' limit.They were about the judgment criteria.
From what I understand, you could enter a 9'+ comp with a 10' (or a 11', 12') and still be competitive if the rules rewarded styling and flow more than aggressiveness.
In truth, you all seem to agree.
Absolutely spot on.
Select to expand quotecolas said..ockanui said..
Interesting comments for those that have been in the sport for a long time
I don't think the comments were against the 9' limit.They were about the judgment criteria.
From what I understand, you could enter a 9'+ comp with a 10' (or a 11', 12') and still be competitive if the rules rewarded styling and flow more than aggressiveness.
In truth, you all seem to agree.
Absolutely spot on.
9 ft is definitely the sweet spot does it all. If you are over 40, that's old you might have to size up.
