Just been up to QLD for a couple of Sup events, the 12 Towers and the Noosa Surf Festival. Must say how superb both events were and made even better now by both event organizers adding an over 60's category to their events. It may seem like an odd request to some, but every event from now on in Australia should get behind and respect the older crew still wanting to maintain fitness and continue to paddle in the Sup events around Oz.
Sup Vic will have the 0/60's this year as will the King of the Cut as well, so if they can do it there really is no excuse.
Funny thing age happens to us all and it wasn't all that long ago that I was writing about the similar request for an over 50's category, trouble is now that over 50's is one of the most competitive categories going.
Maintaining fitness and health is in "every bodies" interest and with age, remaining engaged and vital is something that sometimes gets lost with age.
So how about all you race organizers getting behind this initiative whist also showing respect to all us older crew around the Country and start the including the over 60's category.
My mate Rob from QLD is 72 he's still paddling competitively and loves it...
Sup keeps you young mentally, even if your body ain't. ??????

Great idea

Good Idea but 55 & 60 would be more on the money or get a minute deduction for every year you are over 55.

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Piros said..
Good Idea but 55 & 60 would be more on the money or get a minute deduction for every year you are over 55.

I'll take that Rob. Are you trophy hunting MJ. Needs at least 10 paddlers for a division is my rule.
Wheel chair access at events would be good also.

I am 70 so just go to events and if surf looks good in comp area I enter.
Otherwise I surf nearby where better conditions at the time suit.
For me its about enjoying the involvement and picking the best fun surf for me. No walking frames or wheel chairs yet.
But I have started foil kiting with this in mind as lots of videos of guys sitting down while foiling.
I'll be bringing my foil gear to Scotts this year.

It would be nice to not have to compete against those 50 yr old whipper-snippers..

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Piros said..
Good Idea but 55 & 60 would be more on the money or get a minute deduction for every year you are over 55.

10 minutes would be much fairer

Here's my take on the whole gig. I'm 8 years into Supping , started when I was 45 now 53. From 45 to 50 could still hold my own in some open/40 events. Then I cracked 50 and the walls came tumbling down. Now at 53 I have had more injuries in those past 3 years compared to the last 30 odd years of professional sport. Not looking for excuses but it really does get hard in the 50+ club.

50 to 60 age span is too big there needs to be a middle road of 55 or compensation of age. I won't sook out and will always enter in my state surfing titles , as everyone should and support the sport. Racing is gone for me, too many years in an outrigger canoe but Sup surfing will always be my passion. Regardless of age categories I'll be the first to enter. For the old fellas that still race , but not me the age zone needs to shorter than a 10 year gap when you hit the half century.IMHO

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Piros said..
Here's my take on the whole gig. I'm 8 years into Supping , started when I was 45 now 53. From 45 to 50 could still hold my own in some open/40 events. Then I cracked 50 and the walls came tumbling down. Now at 53 I have had more injuries in those past 3 years compared to the last 30 odd years of professional sport. Not looking for excuses but it really does get hard in the 50+ club.

50 to 60 age span is too big there needs to be a middle road of 55 or compensation of age. I won't sook out and will always enter in my state surfing titles , as everyone should and support the sport. Racing is gone for me, too many years in an outrigger canoe but Sup surfing will always be my passion. Regardless of age categories I'll be the first to enter. For the old fellas that still race , but not me the age zone needs to shorter than a 10 year gap when you hit the half century.IMHO

I know what you mean, 55 in a couple of months and the last two years have been " insane" what with double hernias, mcl damage and assaulted at work, ok that last one has nothing to do with age but it kinda affected my mental health. Anyway besides carrying an enlarged gut I'm back at it and ready to terrorise any over 50 yr old in the surf. Good on ya MJ for all your pushing and shoving.

So we'll now have weight divisions, board size divisions, and a split every 5 years....
Come on down to SUP racing people, every kiddy wins a prize!

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Piros said..
Here's my take on the whole gig.
50 to 60 age span is too big there needs to be a middle road of 55. Regardless of age categories I'll be the first to enter. For the old fellas that still race , but not me the age zone needs to shorter than a 10 year gap when you hit the half century.IMHO

Yeh, Rob the 12 Towers had the 5 year incremental increases up to 55. I think there was 26 over 55's racing on the day so there is a need to continue with the age expansion of age categories. At the surf festival in Noosa the longboarders category goes up to 75, it's a sign of the "maturity" of the sport. It was great to see some of surfing greats still surfing in heats at 65,70,75 years old, I bet they would suggest they are out there not for "kiddies prizes" at all, it's because they can still be out there doing what they love doing. Standup paddling is no differerent. Encourage all ages to participate and embrace the opportunity to do so.

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ockanui said..

Piros said..
Here's my take on the whole gig.
50 to 60 age span is too big there needs to be a middle road of 55. Regardless of age categories I'll be the first to enter. For the old fellas that still race , but not me the age zone needs to shorter than a 10 year gap when you hit the half century.IMHO

Yeh, Rob the 12 Towers had the 5 year incremental increases up to 55. I think there was 26 over 55's racing on the day so there is a need to continue with the age expansion of age categories. At the surf festival in Noosa the longboarders category goes up to 75, it's a sign of the "maturity" of the sport. It was great to see some of surfing greats still surfing in heats at 65,70,75 years old, I bet they would suggest they are out there not for "kiddies prizes" at all, it's because they can still be out there doing what they love doing. Standup paddling is no differerent. Encourage all ages to participate and embrace the opportunity to do so.

Exactly, a lot of sports Don't embrace their older participants who throughout their life have supported their chosen sport. Even though we don't like to admit it, we do slow up, we do become weaker, we do get injured and take longer to heal. It makes sense then to have age based competition. I can't think of anyone that competes (in vic anyway) for trophies (prizes)

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micksmith said..

ockanui said..




"kiddies prizes"

I can't think of anyone that competes for trophies (prizes)

That's right Mick, at our age everyday is a"prize" when you can still do what you love doing..

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Piros said..
Here's my take on the whole gig. I'm 8 years into Supping , started when I was 45 now 53. From 45 to 50 could still hold my own in some open/40 events. Then I cracked 50 and the walls came tumbling down. Now at 53 I have had more injuries in those past 3 years compared to the last 30 odd years of professional sport. Not looking for excuses but it really does get hard in the 50+ club.

50 to 60 age span is too big there needs to be a middle road of 55 or compensation of age. I won't sook out and will always enter in my state surfing titles , as everyone should and support the sport. Racing is gone for me, too many years in an outrigger canoe but Sup surfing will always be my passion. Regardless of age categories I'll be the first to enter. For the old fellas that still race , but not me the age zone needs to shorter than a 10 year gap when you hit the half century.IMHO

I'm getting close to 5o ha ha so I better watch out it doesn't sound good mate but your still the best lobster catcher!
I see what I can do for you at Scott's this year as the 50 year age was the most popular last year and over 60s was well supported Ill work on splitting the 50 age group into 5 year increments
see you at Scott's in June

Screw the old age bracket... I want to kick arse on the 30 somethings!!!

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supthecreek said..
Screw the old age bracket... I want to kick arse on the 30 somethings!!!

I'm in on that one...... Bring in on

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damo666 said..
So we'll now have weight divisions, board size divisions, and a split every 5 years....
Come on down to SUP racing people, every kiddy wins a prize!

The Short, Fat, Old Bastards division? First Prize......in-house nursing care for 12 months? Motorized wheelchair? Nappies?

My take on it , just turned 60 last year , right before a full hip replacement in December ,Been a surfer for 45 years and kitesurfing for 15, supping now for 8 years and probably do more supping now living back on the goldie

I worked damn hard to get back fit drop some weight and get on with it , feeling the best I have for 20years and the fittest I have been for 30, don't let age be a excuse , out the other day at main Beach and mixing it with the 20/30 year olds ,they didn't ask my age just thumbs up every time we got smashed , its about enjoying the stoke

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ockanui said..
It was great to see some of surfing greats still surfing in heats at 65,70,75 years old, I bet they would suggest they are out there not for "kiddies prizes" at all, it's because they can still be out there doing what they love doing. Standup paddling is no differerent. Encourage all ages to participate and embrace the opportunity to do so.

Agree with this bit totally, and they would still be out there doing what they love in any case!

The most encouraging events I have ever been to (surfing or not) have been because they have less focus on winners, and more focus on just participation, fun & 'the vibe'. In my mind more competitive classes goes totally against this, and in many cases will put off plenty of older folks who just want to have a good time with like minded people, and don't give rats who came first.

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bearbusa said..
My take on it , just turned 60 last year , right before a full hip replacement in December ,Been a surfer for 45 years and kitesurfing for 15, supping now for 8 years and probably do more supping now living back on the goldie

I worked damn hard to get back fit drop some weight and get on with it , feeling the best I have for 20years and the fittest I have been for 30, don't let age be a excuse , out the other day at main Beach and mixing it with the 20/30 year olds ,they didn't ask my age just thumbs up every time we got smashed , its about enjoying the stoke

Mate, love that story.
I lost a fair bit as a preventative measure (too many years of XXXX Gold) and have never felt better.
Disclaimer;
I am only 50 though.

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bobajob said..

bearbusa said..
My take on it , just turned 60 last year , right before a full hip replacement in December ,Been a surfer for 45 years and kitesurfing for 15, supping now for 8 years and probably do more supping now living back on the goldie

I worked damn hard to get back fit drop some weight and get on with it , feeling the best I have for 20years and the fittest I have been for 30, don't let age be a excuse , out the other day at main Beach and mixing it with the 20/30 year olds ,they didn't ask my age just thumbs up every time we got smashed , its about enjoying the stoke

Mate, love that story.
I lost a fair bit as a preventative measure (too many years of XXXX Gold) and have never felt better.
Disclaimer;
I am only 50 though.

Bobajob

Mate decided many years ago not to let age restrict me , only yourself stops you doing what you love ,hope I can be in the water till at least 80 might need a bigger board from then and still give the groms a hard time

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damo666 said..

ockanui said..
It was great to see some of surfing greats still surfing in heats at 65,70,75 years old, I bet they would suggest they are out there not for "kiddies prizes" at all, it's because they can still be out there doing what they love doing. Standup paddling is no differerent. Encourage all ages to participate and embrace the opportunity to do so.

Agree with this bit totally, and they would still be out there doing what they love in any case!

The most encouraging events I have ever been to (surfing or not) have been because they have less focus on winners, and more focus on just participation, fun & 'the vibe'. In my mind more competitive classes goes totally against this, and in many cases will put off plenty of older folks who just want to have a good time with like minded people, and don't give rats who came first.

Agree with 100% with what you are saying, but when you get knocked out first round you don't get to surf any more
Different formats or judging criteria maybe, round robin, expression sessions

I would have thought that reaching the age of 60 would bring the maturity to understand that competitions are meaningless.

There is some sense in elite level competitions where you start here, race there, first one over the line wins.

There's also some sense to fun competitions where everyone just goes along for a good day out.

Once you start introducing classes and rankings and stuff then you make for more rules. Rules bring complexity and strategic scamming.

Just run a repercharge between round one and two so everybody surfs twice at least, 1st round winners go to round three and let rest battle out repercharge and then round two for progression into round three - no matter how many "arthritic joints, joint replacements amputations, bypasses etc -- you will surf twice!
Steve

Just got an SUP for my impending 70th. Longboard surfed for past 58 years and the thing I'm having a bit of a hard time remembering is to pack the PADDLE. Whatever, having a ball in shakedown still water stuff ...

Jeez Ock
Leave you alone for ten minutes and look what you go and do
Your like a piro with a box of matches
Cheers
Sparx

Great idea MJ. Although I have often thought a weight division would also be appropriate....especially after a long TAS winter

Great idea MJ. Although I have often thought a weight division would also be appropriate....especially after a long TAS winter

Great idea MJ. Although I have often thought a weight division would also be appropriate....especially after a long TAS winter

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Gorgo said..
I would have thought that reaching the age of 60 would bring the maturity to understand that competitions are meaningless.

Interestingly the same argument was used when the over 50's category inclusion was originally discussed.
Now it's one of the most popular of all categories. It must be that lots of older people like meaningless pursuits?
I think it's terrific that competition means different things for different folks, I'm sure a lot of people are just as "stoked" to be involved in a comp as they are surfing with a mate on an isolated bank down the beach. I like to do both.
Either way the over 60's category creates an opportunity to continue to achieve a greater level of fitness late in life and still be involved in whatever level or style of Sup and more importantly not have to act your age or any age really...
Can't see why people would have negative opinions about people wanting to be forever young unless they still are.

I agree with Rob. Bring in the over 55's. Having said that the over 50's in NSW is super strong. We've beaten the 2nd and 3rd over 40s the last two years in the State Title marathon. We need more than 3 over 50 places at Nationals.

As for the argument that competing once you're over 40 is meaningless. That's complete BS. What's wrong with competition? If you don't want to compete there's always a break you can find down the beach by yourself.

Competition for me has kept me fit and I've got so many great mates from all around Oz all because of competition.