Looking at the event SHOAL BAY RESORT AND SPA SOUTHERN CROSS SUP FESTIVAL 2014 at port stephens from 15th to 18th of may.
It is clearly the NSW title but I could not see anything regarding any qualification process toward the Aussie title.
Anybody knows how it works this year? Do you need to place and qualify at your state title to participate at the Aussie title or can anybody just go to the Aussie Title?

Shoal Bay Resort & Spa Southern Cross SUP Festival 2014

Location:Port Stephens, NSWDate:Thu 15-May-2014 to Sun 18-May-2014Entry Closing Date:Fri 9-May-2014Condition:Event will be open to all International and national competitors but will be the qualification for NSW surfers for the Australian Titles 2014.

All Surf & SUP Competitors Must be Surfing NSW Members. U18 Division must be 18 Years and Under as of 31st December 2014. Over 40 Age group must be 40 years old or older as at January 1st 2014.Divisions:Multiple division entry is permitted.
SUP Entry - Teams Event, SUP Surfing Open Men , SUP Surfing Open Women , SUP Surfing Open Over 40, SUP Surfing Open Over 50, SUP Surfing Under 21, SUP Technical Open Men , SUP Technical Open Women , SUP Technical Open Over 40, SUP Technical Open Over 50, SUP Marathon Open Men , SUP Marathon Open Women , SUP Marathon Open Over 40, SUP Marathon Open Over 50, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa Dash for Cash
Cost:$77.00 (inc. GST) per division

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micksmith said..

Shoal Bay Resort & Spa Southern Cross SUP Festival 2014

Location:Port Stephens, NSWDate:Thu 15-May-2014 to Sun 18-May-2014Entry Closing Date:Fri 9-May-2014Condition:Event will be open to all International and national competitors but will be the qualification for NSW surfers for the Australian Titles 2014.

All Surf & SUP Competitors Must be Surfing NSW Members. U18 Division must be 18 Years and Under as of 31st December 2014. Over 40 Age group must be 40 years old or older as at January 1st 2014.Divisions:Multiple division entry is permitted.
SUP Entry - Teams Event, SUP Surfing Open Men , SUP Surfing Open Women , SUP Surfing Open Over 40, SUP Surfing Open Over 50, SUP Surfing Under 21, SUP Technical Open Men , SUP Technical Open Women , SUP Technical Open Over 40, SUP Technical Open Over 50, SUP Marathon Open Men , SUP Marathon Open Women , SUP Marathon Open Over 40, SUP Marathon Open Over 50, Shoal Bay Resort and Spa Dash for Cash
Cost:$77.00 (inc. GST) per division

Thank you, that looks pretty clear like that, but does that concerns only SUP surfing or racing and especially long distance as well as there were some talks last year to be on favor of an open long distance that would attract more people to the race, allowing it to be a sustainable event financially.

Alain, my understanding is that you will still have to qualify at states to compete in the nationals in all disciplines - marathon, technical and surfing. However there may be an opportunity to compete in additional non national title events. We will have to wait for details to be announced.

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PTWoody said..

Alain, my understanding is that you will still have to qualify at states to compete in the nationals in all disciplines - marathon, technical and surfing. However there may be an opportunity to compete in additional non national title events. We will have to wait for details to be announced.

It would be good to know if foreigners could participate in the same way as some guys from here could go to the NZ title last year.

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Al Hunter said..

PTWoody said..

Alain, my understanding is that you will still have to qualify at states to compete in the nationals in all disciplines - marathon, technical and surfing. However there may be an opportunity to compete in additional non national title events. We will have to wait for details to be announced.

It would be good to know if foreigners could participate in the same way as some guys from here could go to the NZ title last year.

Yes there was some talk of inviting foreigners to participate in the Marathon race. Until we hear an announcement from Surfing Australia, it remains just talk.

They need to throw both BOP and Marathon racing open to all comers to make it viable for anyone to consider travelling for these events. Much in the same way internationals can compete at Australian Swimming Titles or Australian Surf Life Saving Titles. They need to scrap any qualification via state titles and throw it open. If you have competed in your state titles then perhaps there is a discount for entry to Australian Titles ? this would still incentivise participation in each state titles event.

From the BOP racing events last year where it was a straight out finals if the internationals participation results in more favourable numbers then along with an open men & open women race they would separate the over 40?s & 50?s into their own 3rd race which would add a further 40-50 mins to the morning?s competition and potentially also encourage greater participation. For the marathon they need to set a marker at the half way mark of the course and if you haven?t made it there by the nominated time then you need to pull out at that point. This would manage the risks of people trying to compete in a distance race that may be a bit beyond their ability.

Appreciate it may not be as easy to implement in the SUP surfing where running heats to reduce the field is a long process where the judges get paid for their time. Seems like they would be able to scale up the racing events with little or no greater investment of resources and costs.

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HerbertVoigt said..

They need to throw both BOP and Marathon racing open to all comers to make it viable for anyone to consider travelling for these events. Much in the same way internationals can compete at Australian Swimming Titles or Australian Surf Life Saving Titles. They need to scrap any qualification via state titles and throw it open. If you have competed in your state titles then perhaps there is a discount for entry to Australian Titles ? this would still incentivise participation in each state titles event.

From the BOP racing events last year where it was a straight out finals if the internationals participation results in more favourable numbers then along with an open men & open women race they would separate the over 40?s & 50?s into their own 3rd race which would add a further 40-50 mins to the morning?s competition and potentially also encourage greater participation. For the marathon they need to set a marker at the half way mark of the course and if you haven?t made it there by the nominated time then you need to pull out at that point. This would manage the risks of people trying to compete in a distance race that may be a bit beyond their ability.

Appreciate it may not be as easy to implement in the SUP surfing where running heats to reduce the field is a long process where the judges get paid for their time. Seems like they would be able to scale up the racing events with little or no greater investment of resources and costs.

Herbert you obviously can read my mind. I would dream of beach race and a long distance with big numbers that could end up as a main event on the world calendar. After seeing australia not holding any stage of any world tour or series, it could be a a fantastic opportunity to show everybody abroad that we can organise something substantial over here.
I personally know a dozen of people that would come from abroad to participate. And i can tell you they won't generate any safety problems, at the half way mark they won't be at the end of the pack.
We have to be more serious about this and recognise that any paddler traveling to Australia for a paddling race is obviously not a beginer...
Ultimately they could run an ability test before the race just for the kiwis living around here like jacko or wayne to be sure they can make the course

Pretty easy to throw in a flat water 5 km race up the Creek as well for those that may not be up for the distance or have the surf skills and confidence. While it is the Australian Titles I still think there is a great opportunity to capture participation of the masses while also catering for the Elite Opens and Elite Age categories. I enjoyed the event last year but think it lacked a little atmosphere when you consider how many SUPs are floating around Currumbin Creek on the weekend. A bit more scale would also attract more interest from potential sponsors or supporters.

Heaps of paddlers in the region that are more capable than beginners but may not quiet be up for being thrown in the deep end. You see plenty events where they have this type of thinking ie Aussie Surf Titles where there are reseve grade for the Boats and Over 24 Surf Race as well. Time for them to also create an under 19's category for the racing events.

Appreciate everyone has an opionion but ultimately doesn't own the responsibilities or challenge of putting on the event.

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HerbertVoigt said..

Pretty easy to throw in a flat water 5 km race up the Creek as well for those that may not be up for the distance or have the surf skills and confidence. While it is the Australian Titles I still think there is a great opportunity to capture participation of the masses while also catering for the Elite Opens and Elite Age categories. I enjoyed the event last year but think it lacked a little atmosphere when you consider how many SUPs are floating around Currumbin Creek on the weekend. A bit more scale would also attract more interest from potential sponsors or supporters.

Heaps of paddlers in the region that are more capable than beginners but may not quiet be up for being thrown in the deep end. You see plenty events where they have this type of thinking ie Aussie Surf Titles where there are reseve grade for the Boats and Over 24 Surf Race as well. Time for them to also create an under 19's category for the racing events.

Appreciate everyone has an opionion but ultimately doesn't own the responsibilities or challenge of putting on the event.

Hi Guys
lock in Scotts Head again this year may be the answer to some of your concerns we cater for every one
just need guys to turn up Surfing starts Friday 1pm June 20th and saturday morning than LD race and surf race on Sunday June 22 plus dinner and Fun

Last they had a none NSW division in the surfing and we were bundled together into heats/semi/Final so we didn't affect the final result of the qualifiers for the nationals. It worked really well.

I have put the following thoughts on to my state AusSUP representative:
-Tech race can be run with unlimited numbers if the course is set up correctly. Eg. Not putting the first turn marker within 100m of the start, let the pack separate a bit before bringing them back together.
- still have qualifications through state rounds and if you do qualify you get to go straight through to the final. Heats can be open to all and sundry and say top 50% from the heats go through to the final. This gives incentive to race at state level as you get to go straight to the final and if you do want to enter on the day it just means you have to race twice.

Marathon:
Open it to everyone but if you do qualify through your state, you start in wave 1. The second wave is for anyone who wants to enter and starts 5 mins behind wave 1.This way everyone is racing in the same conditions, non qualifiers don't effect qualifiers (unless they catch them) and you can still compare times.

here's a pic of Glenno from last year

Just giving the heads up on accomodation at Shoal Bay Resort & Spa the sponsors for this event , are giving discounted rates to competitors , friends and family. For more info give Jeff Pilkinton a call on 0418762606 don't book direct go through Jeff he is the one that put this event together and will get you the best deal.

This event is also open to anyone not just New South Welshman.

http://www.shoalbayresort.com/bookingNotAvailable.html