A 14' board is fast, but it greatly separates the general punter (on a 11'6" surf SUP that will take 8 hours) from the guy who forks out the coin for a 14' board (taking 5 hours). Also you have to have a Rudder on a 14' board and it should be hollow if it is going to be at a competitive weight, this makes the board expensive. If you have this segrigation the sport will never take off. 12' Class works because the boards are not too big for one personal to handle (even on windy days), and will be much more affordable. It is also closer in speed to Joe Blogs who just bought an 11'6" surf SUP but wants to do some fun paddle races.

12' and under rudderless class and then an Open class makes much more sense for the future of the sport. And will also fit in with the 12' Class that already exists with Paddle board (prone/knee style).

Now just to point out I didn't post this because Naish have a 12' board. I support Naish's vision of the future of the sport. Participation makes the sport. If you go too high tech and expensive you will limit your potential numbers of participation. Majority of SUP races have a 12' and under class and an Open class. I honestly think if you are going to go to 14', you may as well go to 16' or 18', because they are much faster again, and you need a rudder on all of them (14' and up) and it would not be all that much more expensive to go up from 14' to 18'. All the fast open boards are hollow, so the material cost is minimal. and cored race boards 14' and over would be way too heavy.

Regards,

JB

TOATLLY AGREE jB I THINK ALSO HAVING A 12 AND UNDER CLASS THE RACE IS MORE ABOUT THE GUY WITH THE MOST TALENT , TRAINING ECT THAN HOW BIG HIS BOARD IS.

LUCKY BUGGER , WHERE WHERE YOU BLOKES YESTERDAY IT WASNT TO BAD AT THE ALLEY , SOME NICE WAVES COME THROUGH EVERY NOW AND AGAIN.

12' + boards are just getting too big imho and look more like kayaks. One of the things I love about the sport is the simplicity of just being able to pull the board from the roof of your car carry it to the river, lake, bay, surf and just go for it - they are so versatile - and that's what I love about it.

Even just 2 classes, 12' and under rudderless, and open. IMO your pretty silly to want to ride a board 14'+ without a rudder, especially if the wind is slightly off direction. But Open means they can choose weather or not they want rudders.

JB