The number of people participating on this site seems to have dropped off quite a bit over the last 6 months.

Where have they gone?

Am I missing out on a new improved site?

Please guide me.

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GreenTea said..
The number of people participating on this site seems to have dropped off quite a bit over the last 6 months.

Where have they gone?

Am I missing out on a new improved site?

Please guide me.

Haha I raised this in the general forum couple of months back suggesting this site needs a makeover and boy did I get some sh-t

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Macaha said..

Haha I raised this in the general forum couple of months back suggesting this site needs a makeover and boy did I get some sh-t

I didn't know those forums existed until now....
And I thought I was strange.

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.

Yep sup is dying. Consequently the big foil and wing push. Too big and expensive for mainstream. Short boarding is so much easier to manage. If I was not injured I would not sup. Prone is so much more enjoyable - surfing and foiling. They are trucks.

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.

I came here originally to get info on new boards and new developments - there was a lot of new progression and now not so much - more foils and stuff

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

This is my Sydney specific view point . Can't comment outside of that.
SUP specific shops are definitely reducing . I have a lot less of options now in Sydney compared to two years ago . Surf specific SUPs are also harder to get at my weight. It's all about supply and demand.
It is also getting a lot more crowded at Sydney beaches and prone surfing will always remain strong . SUP surfing unfortunately has bad rep and it
is a much more expensive option

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!

The cost of boards has gone nuts not just sup, short and longboards also. 1k for a DHD shortboard.
10 years ago my boards were 1000 now they are 2100 and up,I believe mainly due to the AU.
I don't see that many club or race events as I did on this site from 3 years ago,I know foiling has exploded of late.
Have a lot of clubs closed?

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.

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MattBailey said..

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.

The "pro" tour for racing is no different. There simply isn't the prize money available to sustain a professional career with travel expenses year after year. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hardly any of the top competitors from 5 years ago are still competing full time at all the big events. Unless you are prepared to live a backpacker lifestyle and sleep on couches, then pro SUP racer just doesn't appear to be a viable career choice.

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

Reddo, same for me as a beginner learning lots off the guys here. The school of Seabreeze. The Mrs thought I was nuts watching the same vid again n again. But there was foot placement, next time paddle stroke, etc. Still watching and learning.
Inspiring also, seeing the stoke with a Custom, took the plung.
If you watch the views there is still a lot of hits ticking over. Also intermediate + boards are moving steadily.

I must be one of the hooked weird one as I looking for a choice Indo spot to do Sup and Fins, accommodation , all helpful location looking suggestions welcome.
Enjoy

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!

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hilly said..
Yep sup is dying. Consequently the big foil and wing push. Too big and expensive for mainstream. Short boarding is so much easier to manage. If I was not injured I would not sup. Prone is so much more enjoyable - surfing and foiling. They are trucks.

Not dying for me.
It's a short steep learning curve that puts a lot of people off. So many try and fail, and expensive boards end up collecting dust under the house, until they're sold at a loss. Losing money time and time again upsets folks too.
You get to a stage that you need to push through to really start enjoying it. And that's where I'm at.
Unfortunately a lot of new starters blunder out in to the surf, p1ss people off, and generally have a miserable time. Which gives it a bad rep. And a lot of these guys can't handle the stink eye and bad mouth.
I have a lot of people's experiences and advice to be thankful for on the breeze. If it wasn't for them I'd still be breaking yellow boards, or floundering on overpriced, oversize cheap chinese crap. And wouldn't be enjoying my current awesome custom, which is not a truck (a family sedan maybe). I may have even given it away.......
Nah. Never.
I will SUP surf until I am physically unable, can't remember how to, or until my ashes are scattered on the water.......

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.

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Nozza said..
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.

Sorry Nozza. Been working too much. Promise I'll post on "Where did you SUP today" when I get home. Today all I could put would be "in my dreams".

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Brenno said..
Sorry Nozza. Been working too much. Promise I'll post on "Where did you SUP today" when I get home. Today all I could put would be "in my dreams".

Work is often the problem...

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WaveScience said..

MattBailey said..

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.

The "pro" tour for racing is no different. There simply isn't the prize money available to sustain a professional career with travel expenses year after year. Correct me if I'm wrong, but hardly any of the top competitors from 5 years ago are still competing full time at all the big events. Unless you are prepared to live a backpacker lifestyle and sleep on couches, then pro SUP racer just doesn't appear to be a viable career choice.

Yeah its sad isn't it...

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supthecreek said..

I was going to answer, but supthecreek detailed perfectly what I was going to write :-)

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hilly said..
Yep sup is dying. Consequently the big foil and wing push. Too big and expensive for mainstream. Short boarding is so much easier to manage. If I was not injured I would not sup. Prone is so much more enjoyable - surfing and foiling. They are trucks.

Im not injured, I just really enjoy sup surfing. I still prone if the waves are barreling , but lets face it how often do we (speaking for myself) get good barreling waves.
Supping has reinvigorated my surfing. We get a lot of small gutless waves where I live and supping can be fun in these conditions, where as in the past I wouldn't have bothered and if I did I would no enjoy my surf.
I recently went on a boat trip in North Sumatra a supped and proned about 50/50. I could be out in the water for around 6 hours a day because I was using different muscles. If I proned for 6 hours I would be wrecked! and not have had as many waves.

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 ? "

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Traff said..

hilly said..
Yep sup is dying. Consequently the big foil and wing push. Too big and expensive for mainstream. Short boarding is so much easier to manage. If I was not injured I would not sup. Prone is so much more enjoyable - surfing and foiling. They are trucks.

Im not injured, I just really enjoy sup surfing. I still prone if the waves are barreling , but lets face it how often do we (speaking for myself) get good barreling waves.
Supping has reinvigorated my surfing. We get a lot of small gutless waves where I live and supping can be fun in these conditions, where as in the past I wouldn't have bothered and if I did I would no enjoy my surf.
I recently went on a boat trip in North Sumatra a supped and proned about 50/50. I could be out in the water for around 6 hours a day because I was using different muscles. If I proned for 6 hours I would be wrecked! and not have had as many waves.

The spots I go over here had way more sups 2 to 3 years ago. We are a special case in the Wild West as it is windy as feck a lot of the time which makes sup hard work. But even the dw crew has dropped off heaps. Bit of foiling action but only the odd crew here and there. I have my sups for sale with no response at all. 10er Smik and 9 6 Sunova.

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supthecreek said..
SUP performance has found it's happy spot, so many have acquired a quiver that will suit them for a long time

Having bought (and mostly sold) close to 50 SUP boards over the past 10 years, I have indeed settled on a quiver that suits me for a long time. I haven't bought a new board in 6 months, which is the longest I've gone without buying anything since starting in the sport.

Without a shadow of a doubt - SUP has saved my a**e from spinning out into some mundane oblivion of domestic mediocrity.
No real chance of (prone) surfing where I am, and I still skate bowls and banks.
But SUP - man - There's no turning back. I'm in. Flat out - It's turned an (almost) empty coastline into a freakin' wonderland of possibility! And kept the flame of punk alive.

I remember Brenno saying in a thread once, something along the lines, that it doesn't matter how you do it - all that matters is that you're riding waves. I agree. As long as the gills are wet and you're having a laugh, you'll be right.

I paddled the new 14 Search on the weekend - and ended up spending an hour sitting out the back just having a yarn with an old mate. Watched sets roll past, laughed and talked about all sorts of rubbish.
I actually find it hard to believe that crew are dropping off!
SUP (like surfing) ain't a sport - it's a way of life.

(to quote SuperTramp) - crisis, what crisis?

SUP 4 Life

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...

Maybe the forum hasn't died it has just reached its optimum level where all the d1cks have left and what remains is a genuine group of blokes/girls who froth over getting out amongst any waves and enjoying the stoke. As someone who kites and contributes to the other sections of the Seabreeze forums I can honestly say that the SUPping section has the best information, most helpful surfers, and people not looking for some random big-noting "keyboard hero" opportunity to pull the p1ss.

Keep it up guys and don't stop contributing, this is always a good informative read (certainly beats the tabloids in the news)!!

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.

I'm late to the party. Just picked it up a coupla years ago, but I am totally hooked. I supposed I could learn to prone, but it looks kinda boring sitting there waiting for a wave. Instead, I get to paddle around and seek breaks. Plus, it was damn hard to learn how to do it, and I'm not going to go back. Thanks seabreeze and standup zone for helping my progression! All you folks have inspired me to do this until I can't anymore, and at 51, from the looks of it, 80 might be possible!!!

Keep on posting to the breeze, and I will too.