I can see most sup brands bringing out competitive 14 foot inflatable board this season. if they can get something that is within 10% of the leading race boards it will open up opportunities for SUP racing to really boom.

Say there is a SUP race interstate. All you do is chuck it on the plane. Go to the event. be a part of the experience and use it as a good excuse for a holiday with mates or the family. Look at how popular triathlon events are. Some are sold out in a matter of minutes. Competitors can box up their bikes and go anywhere in the world for an event. Most of the time they are there just to participate and finish the event. Imagine if Supers can create some epic events that we can all fly to the destination with our boards and then fly out. No board freight costs, no damage.

Just a thought, I think it is the future of racing. Big call, I know.

Don't get this mixed up with Inflato's replacing glass boards but we will have both and race both. Glass board locally and for any big event and inflato's for interstaters and holidays.

Let me know your thoughts

I can't imagine the inflatables being within 10% of the leading race boards.

Watching the NICCO vid from the MS BOP at Collaroy cured me of ever wanting to atempt to paddle a glorified li-lo at pace.

Don't get me wrong, maybe there should be a one-design inflatable race category in all international, national & state titles to give a big incentive for easy travel to/form the event. Sponsorship from the various inflatable co's should help make it happen, with naming rights.

Remember DJ's post re the inflatable named 'The Stiffy'?

Hands up who wants to be the Stiffy World Champ?

I wouldn't mind being world renowned for my stiffy and I'd be happy to put in whatever hours are required, turn up for demos, model, appear on videos to promote it. Etc. Etc.

The big question is, would Sam sponsor it and would it require branding?

But more seriously, if the race models coming like the SB astro 14x26" racer are good, I reckon you would want to take it with you on a flight just in case. It opens up heaps of options.

So the reason why I think this will be possible is because the other week a couple of mates and I did a short downwinder on a couple of 12'6 by 30's, a glide and starby race. We also had a NISCO inflato. We swapped a few times and none of us were slower on the inflato. Now no one has come out with a narrow outline inflato yet and when they do and as inflato tech improves I think they will get closer to the glass boards. Won't feel the same, bit like doing the dishes with gloves on. But the end result will be the the same just takes a bit longer to get there.

I think they have room for improvements and say someone comes out with a 24 to 26 inch wide and works out how to stiffen them up I think they will be on a winner. Starby by the sounds is halfway there and it won't be long till the otherness get on board and then it will be a race to see who can get the fastest inflato. Then we will see some progression. What do you think?

I think the main problem is inflatables have a bad rep from the early boards .
And as is the case in most things a bad experience is very hard to get over and I think inflatables are
in this space .
But I would like to get unbiased feedback form experienced racers who have tried the new race inflatables are they still that bad?
I do not race only because there is not a venue close enough to be viable to me to do so economically .But in my limited experience my 12'6" inflatables are not that much slower than my hard boards and I can not see why a race fit competitor would not be competitive on one of these .
Ask me what I would take on a flight a 12'6" hard board or a small bag with my sup in it.
Just another slant on things .
Cheers

Maybe not 14's... whats the point really, 12'6 ok, but in a air bed the 14 is not going to yield much more performance over the 12'6.

I love the 12'6 inflato races, evens the field up for people who cant be on the latest and greatest.

i'll be packing one as a training tool on my trip to bali next month. it might even double as a bed if our plane is late :)

my inflatable paddle doesn't seem to work though...