Nick Flint said...
Well, based on the previous few comments.... What boards will people be paddling in the 12'6 Class..... ???
Piros..... I was keen to get into racing the SUPS and was looking at purchasing a ocean racing SUP along the lines of the DC16's for these type of events..... where do you guys paddle on the gold coast mainly......
Also in the majority of the event do they normally run different divisions as cartergorised below ?
I don't think the sport is big enough for division yet, just to get people to turn up is hard enough - most people are all talk and no do - as NIKE say just do it!!!!!
Look out for boards like Laird's, Gerry Lopez do a couple of 12' boards, Nash glides, Laguna Bay do a couple of big 12' boards, G&S - the rules go by Hawaiian rules and regs - so most of the 12'6 boards are not out here yet - I have heard that Jamie Mitchell is racing and he is with Surf Tech now so they might have a new board out???
This is not one of the main SUP races of the year it is just a throw in race to start the event of Surfing off - if you want to focus on the big races - look out for Honolua - Snapper to Currumbin, Moffitts to Mooloolaba which is part of the South East Queensland Outrigging Calendar, Coffs Harbour Nationals, Seaway to Seaway and any other race that is either organised by Outrigging clubs.
Last year this race included Ski's, Outriggers and SUP's it was big but they have scaled it back cause of councils rules and regs when running a open ocean race. I would just be happy that they have included something like this for this year.
Locally made boards like the DC16 and the Penetrator would be the way to go if you are wanting to get into the sport - there are a couple second hand boards for sale on here or if you contact Noosa Surf Works.