Not much traffic

From over the other side of the world, this is the only forum worth reading and commenting on. We've got nothing other than FB over in the UK and TBH you guys have already "done it all" and are a wealth of knowledge and support, ****s n giggles.
So thats why I come over here, to see what you lot are unto and to see whose buying new boards and what their experience of them is..
Don;t forget Tardys threads where he teased us for months over his new build(s)

But I guess yeah it's probably quieter, but have you bee on the "zone" recently? That very quiet.

sadly three has been a huge decline in 'the hobbyist SUP Surfer'. Sup is still alive and well for racing and beginners, but the intermediate lever weekend sup surfer appear to be leaving. Must not just be a local phenomenon either, look at all the new release boards for 2020. Of the models they still make, there's less and less size options available, and all on the larger side of things too.

Look at the APP world tour event this week. Man I loved watching it, the quality of surfing on finals day and during the expression session were awesome. BUT - so many competitors not doing full years on tour. Zane, Sean just to name 2 of the biggest. I could name 10 sup surfers that should be there but aren't - Georgio, Harry Maskel, Kai, Zane, .... Its honestly such a shame.

Hilly, I actually much prefer to SUP surf. I love the additional changes, and lessons, and the difficulty. But i appreciate I'm one of the weird ones here. hard to watch the sport in decline, but it also presents opportunities for those looking at the macro.

Injection of political BS is always a website killer, unfortunately this place has a lot of weenie pajama boys

Well, dare I speak from the beginners point of view.... I knew nothing of SUPing and this site has taught me everything I know. Coming from a sailing background and not knowing any SUPers it's really hard to get information without a site like this and the help is phenomenal. I always am amazed at the time and effort people put in to answer a question that a (dumb!) beginner asks. You guys are great, keep it up!

Yeah I think the main demo of a SUP surfer is someone willing to spend a little more than your average person and is willing to try something different (this is some serious generalisations here). Depending on how you look at it, Foiling at best has done a better job of this and simultaneously does a better job of opening up more of the ocean, or at a minimum , has diluted our constituents.

Sup Surfing will not die. It will just evolve into something else which is cool and exciting at the same time. Only us die hard (or weirdos) will be left.

I started SUP surfing 3 years ago due to the kids and trying to combine fitness and surfing (no time for both). I loved the challenge and the fact it took serious leg power to make a turn, never looked back. out of a 10 short board quiver, I have my 2 favourite boards from like 13 years ago which haven't been ridden since I started (couldn't sell them out of nostalgia reasons I guess).

Either way, I don't look at the decline as neither good nor bad. Its just different.

Kia Ora
Being in NZ at the start of the SUP trend there was very little choice of performance boards and information available. This site and the breezers on it were invaluable in getting sound info and feedback on the sport. So grateful to those that have helped me..made some good friends apong the way and in-turn try and help out others where I can.
Let's face it..its an increasingly expensive sport to be pulling the trigger on the wrong sled without advice.

This forum saved my coin many a time.
Chur

When SUP first appeared on our collective radar, it was timed perfectly to appeal to the older crew, who started surfing in the 60's and 70's, who were aging into physical limitations.

SUP got them back on the water in a way that just wasn't possible on surfboards.
The first flood of new SUPster.
We were all frothing for information, so we sites like the Breeze and Standup Zone, became our meeting place to discuss equipment and technique.

Like the shortboard revolution from the later 60's into the 70's... SUP was discovering it's own path to performance.

Most of us were chasing shorter and shorter boards.
We were all researching everyday.
Information was king and stoke was everywhere.
Buying many boards a year, was common.

What seems like a slowdown is probably more like this:
1 - SUP performance has found it's happy spot, so many have acquired a quiver that will suit them for a long time

2- Most have achieved a sufficient amount of experience, that the thirst for learning has settled down, so less time on forums.

3 - Since the initial flood of new SUPster, new adopters are still coming to SUP, but their numbers can't rival the initial rush.

Boards have progressed to the point where performance is outstanding, as evidenced by the APP World Tour,
so there will be a steady trickle of young guns finding SUP.

Racing success simply got out of reach for most paddlers.... the best are an elite group of super athletes.
Gone are the weekend racers.

Our Cape Cod SUP crew is steadily growing. so all good here!
I love SUP, I don't care if other folks SUP. I'm in for the long game.

I love this community and am grateful for the friendship I find here!

SUP dying or the forum dying?
SUP may have passed its peak, but far from dead.
The forum needs more effort from all of us to share the stoke.
Bother to post "Where did I SUP today?"
Challenge yourself to outnumber Rick's posts.
Doesn't have to be a video or a photo, just a comment.
Generate content.
Strange that the most replied to thread in ages is about the forum being quiet.
It's up to us to make it busy.

Mr Creek is on the money with his summary.
Also look where Custom Sup board creations have gone main steam after Epic inspiring posts. " The Legend of Nozza " still on going.....
The same with fins from Cdrive in too steady production and Quobba helpful in catering for Sup setups.
The post's here with ongoing views have been a factor with that achievement and other products.
Yes.... the work environment has changed and still is changing for lots of us over last couple of years .
so, Yes, Nozza, I to will make An effort to Street Sup up to the balance pond for " Where you Sup today ? "

My local has gone from 10-12 sups on a good day, along with 30 surfers a year or 2 ago, to now being 4-5 sups and 15 foils (sup+prone) with 15 longboarders...

Where's the guy from Victoria who loves the Naish boards.,Bring him back.
Very well put STC, your thoughts are spot n as usual.
Im learning to foil,get most of my information on how to do it from watching and reading the foil forum.Guys like JB and Piros are great they seem to have insight, knowledge and are willing to share it.
I still glance at the news on the iPad then quickly open up sea breeze.Im hooked.