supathletes.com/supaa-manufacturers-announce-board-restrictions/

Interesting for all you boppers

Big fan on the 9 kg minimum weight, but think the 23.5 width is still streching the friendshp a bitl. I think you will still see some of the top guys running with a couple of boards depending on the conditions. If it's flat and clean then they'll go the 23' and if there is a bit more surf or its rough then they'll go wider.

I think 25' would be a width where everyone would just carry a single 12'6 for whatever the conditions. Think it is pretty important the concept of a single board as well as the average punter being on the same playing field as the Elite who may have the ability to get an advantage just through greater board options.

Pretty hard to put the jeanie back in the bottle, but this is just my own personal view.

Regards
HV

Good start , dont like the 12.5cm recessed limit.I think that should be much smaller.Agree 23 wide is for lightweights and pro,s should be 25 or 26.

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HerbertVoigt said..

Big fan on the 9 kg minimum weight, but think the 23.5 width is still streching the friendshp a bitl. I think you will still see some of the top guys running with a couple of boards depending on the conditions. If it's flat and clean then they'll go the 23' and if there is a bit more surf or its rough then they'll go wider.

I think 25' would be a width where everyone would just carry a single 12'6 for whatever the conditions. Think it is pretty important the concept of a single board as well as the average punter being on the same playing field as the Elite who may have the ability to get an advantage just through greater board options.

Pretty hard to put the jeanie back in the bottle, but this is just my own personal view.

Regards
HV

funny you should say that. although i don't bop race but our squad trains for it and this is why i'm doing a tommy cross /old school dc 12'6. a more pointer down turned nose board at 27.5 or 28' wide. i seem to remember those boards going through foam and waves a lot easier than the bunt bulk volumed boards of today.

some underfoot width for some stability, wave piercing for say travis's first bop dc 12'6 racer with the rocker and bottom full rail planing shape of the tomy.


looking forward to this one






23 3/4 " is too narrow for 12'6 in any surf- stretching the boundaries was something they want to stop wasn't it

You're all missing the point. This is not about deciding the most ideal limits. This is about the manufacturers agreeing to limits whilst at the same time avoiding a situation where 100s of boards in shops and distributor warehouse inventory around the world is suddenly made illegal and redundant. What they are saying is, nothing narrower or lighter than anything currently on the market.

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PTWoody said..

You're all missing the point. This is not about deciding the most ideal limits. This is about the manufacturers agreeing to limits whilst at the same time avoiding a situation where 100s of boards in shops and distributor warehouse inventory around the world is suddenly made illegal and redundant. What they are saying is, nothing narrower or lighter than anything currently on the market.

Not really hence the question on why 23.75''. Like your evil cycinal mind tho

Minimum width is pretty silly.

Why so jean?

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laceys lane said..

PTWoody said..

You're all missing the point. This is not about deciding the most ideal limits. This is about the manufacturers agreeing to limits whilst at the same time avoiding a situation where 100s of boards in shops and distributor warehouse inventory around the world is suddenly made illegal and redundant. What they are saying is, nothing narrower or lighter than anything currently on the market.

Not really hence the question on why 23.75''. Like your evil cycinal mind tho

I agree it is an oddly random number measurement for 12'6" given that they have gone to 23" for 14'. To my knowledge, at least one major manufacturer who is signatory to this agreement currently makes a 12'6" board in 23.5" so unless there is a technicality in the point where it is measured, someone is writing off a board in their range.

PT how deep are the walls on the current aces? do they fit in this new ruling ?

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AndyR said..

PT how deep are the walls on the current aces? do they fit in this new ruling ?

Doesn't a board become a boat when you are standing in it and not on it

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AndyR said..

PT how deep are the walls on the current aces? do they fit in this new ruling ?

From standing area deck pad to top of wall, the 2014 (14') is 11cm, the 2013 (14') is 10cm and the 2009 prototype (12'6") is about 15cm. Luckily I've decommissioned that board and hung it up on the wall preserving Annabel's' autograph.

Cool thanks for that info.. I read some where that they might have to drop their height but going on those figures they all good..
These rules seem spot on to me. For the next 5 years anyways .. who knows with technology and the direction of the sport they might need tweaking down the track.

Surely they can get a board close to minimum weight with out having to use expensive carbon materials in coming years..
That's key to making the sport more affordable to the average punter.

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AndyR said..

Cool thanks for that info.. I read some where that they might have to drop their height but going on those figures they all good..
These rules seem spot on to me. For the next 5 years anyways .. who knows with technology and the direction of the sport they might need tweaking down the track.

Surely they can get a board close to minimum weight with out having to use expensive carbon materials in coming years..
That's key to making the sport more affordable to the average punter.

Yeah I think a couple of the latest sandwich construction boards are getting to a really good weight.

Yes AndyR carbon is the lazy non creative expensive construction method. But it sounds great, one of the modern buzz words.

After all the Australian clubbie race board manufacturers have been building their 150 litre 10 foot race boards for over 20 years at a weight minimum of 7.5 kg including a fin out of eglass with epoxy resin and styrofoam. This is with a high gloss finish and no scratches showing at all.

I did for years in the 80's and the crew are still building them today.

Your spot on mate.
I'm hoping we see a change in coming years. They can make a board light but durable with. Cost effective materials clubie boards prove that.

N1SCO

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cel23 said..

N1SCO

Agreed - if you want a one-dsign/box-rule/"fair racing class" then just use the 12'6 x 30 x 6 inflatables. Most manufacturers have one and then you have a board that anyone can learn on and race as hard as you like.

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Kieranr said..

Why so jean?

1. Punishes those who have more skill (better balance)

2. Punishes certain body types to the benefit of others

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JeanG said..

Kieranr said..

Why so jean?

1. Punishes those who have more skill (better balance)

2. Punishes certain body types to the benefit of others

I don't think anyone has been punished by the limits they've set. At around 23", even for us light weights and for anyone with really good balance, stand up paddle boarding becomes less fun. I will use a skinny board to race on because it's faster, but if I want to enjoy myself outside of racing, the board I select is going to be at least 25" - 26" wide. That being the case, and with the sport in its infancy, it makes no sense to have all the manufacturers and custom designers rushing down a pathway to make boards that very few can use, and those that can, don't enjoy it anyway. That's suicide.