Hey MJ, just want to clarify which age groups you and Sparx are pushing for to be included as so far we have over 40, over 45, over 50 and over 55, is it all of these or just some and is it for both surfing and flatwater events or different age groups between the two?,
cheers.

One thing I appreciate about Adapt and that's his altruistic support for the development and future of the sport. Nothing offensive about that.

As far as the grumpy old men go, the one thing people need to appreciate is that adding age divisions and board lengths inevitably creates a lot more work for marshals and organisers. So it may be that in order to facilitate these new divisions, those agitating for change will have to offer to dig in and help. That might mean that one or two of the grumpy old men will have to stand out of a race in order to facilitate and marshal the race for grumpy old men. It's a bit of a Catch-22.

But that would certainly demonstrate beyond a doubt that the grumpy old men are agitating for change for the good of the sport rather than for self interest.

Ask not what SUP can do for you, but what you can do for SUP.

ockanui said...

I wonder how does the push for the new " over 50's pathway" continue past this thread or the next or the previous?, its up to the keen oldies to hassle those who make the decisions, I guess the one redeeming beauty of older age is that we less inclined to give a farrk of what people think, so therefore that should make it easier to be persistent, won't it ....

I suggest you put together a petition. A few people making a bit of a fuss on a forum probably won't have that much of an impact. But if you can get a few dozen Over 50s putting their names to the cause nationally, that shows genuine support. It also puts pressure on them to turn up if and when an Over 50s division is included.

*** This needs to be done before nationals in August. If you wait until summer, you'll lose another year and then all those 49 year olds will catch you next year.

I think that would work PT, in the flat and bop all categories are grouped, in the surf well, if there is no doubling up of age group participation then there would be a ****eload of people on hand to help.

Happy to have people email me their details if they want to join the " coalition of the willing" for demographic change... just do it

for those willing, include in the email, that you support the push for the introduction of a category to cater for the over 50's in all Sup events ie: surf, bop and flatwater for the forthcoming season 2013 and all other events in the future at all levels be it Club, State or at National levels.

Once received, I will print and then take it to the next level

ockanui said...

After a couple of days hearty discussion there seems to be an overwhelming support for an older age category, where does it go from here? will the surfing associations listen?

I don't want to sound apologetic for the facts, but there seems to be more older people embracing Sup than at the other end, we all would like to see some more youth in the sport competing at the highest level and we would all encourage that and continue to do so, its only a matter of time, but in the mean time, the sport should be inclusive to all ages, including the older category.

I wonder how does the push for the new " over 50's pathway" continue past this thread or the next or the previous?, its up to the keen oldies to hassle those who make the decisions, I guess the one redeeming beauty of older age is that we less inclined to give a farrk of what people think, so therefore that should make it easier to be persistent, won't it ....

Howdy Oc
This is the contact email for the contest director of the Australian Surfing Festival. His name is Glen Elliot. As you can imagine Glen and I have already had some correspondence. Cant see the Fifties getting up this year but as I recall you were a finalist in the Forties at this years States. Just my opinion, but I reckon anyone who finished top four in a comp that was at least three heats worth should be entitled to represent.

glen@surfingaustralia.com

Woody, I would be happy to put my two cents worth in on behalf of the Vic contingent of Over Forties and Fifties. A long time ago in a previous life, I was Promotions and Development Officer for the Australian Surfriders Association Vic Branch which was the precursor to Surfing Vic, so I have a little bit of an insight into the ins and outs of the organisation at a state and national level. But at the end of the day you're spot on. If we do'nt start making some noise now it aint going to happen. I wo'nt surf Open next year but I will certainly contest an Over Forties and hopefully an Over Fifties division. Any Viccos interested in competing in the Fifties can contact me via Seabreeze PM and I will happily forward this information to both Surfing Vic and Surfing Aus. Happy to represent for both surf and racing but I would suggest, given my lack of knowledge on the racing front someone might like to step up or help me out
Cheers
Sparx

Sparx said...

Howdy Oc
This is the contact email for the contest director of the Australian Surfing Festival. His name is Glen Elliot. As you can imagine Glen and I have already had some correspondence. Cant see the Fifties getting up this year but as I recall you were a finalist in the Forties at this years States. Just my opinion, but I reckon anyone who finished top four in a comp that was at least three heats worth should be entitled to represent.

glen@surfingaustralia.com


Cheers
Sparx

Yeah no way will they be introducing new divisions for August but any agitation for change for 2013 needs to be done now as there will be a meeting of state delegates in Port Macquarie.

Hey Sparx, if you still want to compete in the over 40's might need to adjust the wording of MJ's 40 to 50's class as this says to me you'd actually have to be between those ages to be part of that class or maybe I'm just getting confused

appsy said...

Hahahah massive can of worms.

For the surf sup we should only be allowed to ride 9ft plus, no more 8'0s or less. I had way more fun on my 9ft 6 then my 8'0s. But i ride my 8'0s because its easier to get a score.

Spoke to some industry big wigs the other week, they can't sell 8'0s to the public as alot of the crew cant ride em. If they cant sell em then they aren't earning any coin, not earning any coin, means nothing back to the sport. It may also get rid of dishpan's (hahahhaha)

Surfing Aus and SUPA are doing an awesome job. It must be hard to cater for everyone. The racing seems to be hammering ahead.

rahams said...

Instead of age groups what about board groups.
Opens up to 9' Short board judging.9' over more points for style?
At the nsw titles I had a couple of heats with guys on 9 plus boards
I'm on a 8' foot board .all I had to do was a couple of dishpan turns
And the guy on the bigger board had no chance .The guy on the bigger board
Surfed unreal but never had a chance with the current system???

Ok here's another can of worms
Put it to the major manufactures to have one design comps
That way everyone rides the comp sponsors board of choice
Levels the playing field which would encourage more surfers to have a go
Gsi have done it at noosa for years.
great way for a company to promote there boards
To many coopers??

teatrea said...

Your all just a bunch of grumpy old bastards

yeah well, well, well, your just a bastard

laceys lane said...

teatrea said...

Your all just a bunch of grumpy old bastards

yeah well, well, well, your just a bastard

**** im old too , might as well join the club and have a whinge about anything i can think off.

Root in a brothel anyone?

rahams said...

malibujet said...

One design won't work in a SUP surfing comp. What size would the board be? Too small and the big guys won't be able to paddle it, too big and the smaller guys won't be able to turn it. Age divisions are the only way it will work.

My first sup comp was noosa 2009
Numbers have been going backwards since then
So something is not working for surf sup.
Multiple age groups for me isn't the answer
One design/ one size might not be the answer either
But like appsy said unless the major players can see some up side
They are not going to support it.

noel i reckon 9' minimum

What would be preferable would be to remove the SUP from the current style of Nationals program and run it as a stand alone event in an area that caters for all of the various disciplines involved, surf, technical, down wind and distance. No pressure no drama and a week to run it. A National Festival of SUP. Make it an open event, all comers and all age divisions in ten year increments, no qualification pre recs, first couple of days to sort the field and then into second round, quarters, semis and finals. Everyone guaranteed to surf or race at least twice. Industry gets involved with demos and expo and the whole festival thing gets pumped.... bands, films meet and greet, the whole shebang!!!
Pie in the sky but it works for me
Cheers
Sparx

laceys lane said...

rahams said...

malibujet said...

One design won't work in a SUP surfing comp. What size would the board be? Too small and the big guys won't be able to paddle it, too big and the smaller guys won't be able to turn it. Age divisions are the only way it will work.

My first sup comp was noosa 2009
Numbers have been going backwards since then
So something is not working for surf sup.
Multiple age groups for me isn't the answer
One design/ one size might not be the answer either
But like appsy said unless the major players can see some up side
They are not going to support it.

noel i reckon 9' minimum

That would be up to the sponser
For example a certain brand could hold a comp with 2 divisions
Their most popular 10' board and 8' board.the surfer picks what division they want to surf
Or both .

doggie said...

Root in a brothel anyone?

No need to bring the Health Services Union into this.