All teeth
Before I even start please keep in mind that this is just my opinion and I am very willing to hear everyone that has an opinion about this topic.
To me the 12’6″ is like racing unicycles. Sure you can do it, but should you? When I think racing, I think of going as fast as you can. Not going as fast as I can on a unicycle. When the 12’6 category started a lot of the motivation was so that the surf guys could race too. 12’8″ also being the size that Clark made their tandem blank, which was the blank of choice at the beginning. Nowadays nobody uses a 12′ 6″ for wave riding and no serious racer aspires to use a 12’6″ some day, unless you want to compete in the elite division of the BOP. I realize a lot of people look at the 12’6″ as a stepping stone, as well as a more economic way to find out if you’re really going to like racing at all. The problem is that once you do discover that you like it, your stuck with a 12’6″, and don’t kid yourself, you are going to like it. How many people can you think of that have tried downwinding or even flat water racing and not enjoyed them selves? I can’t think of one. Either the experience, the exercise or the people involved in this sport are too fun.
Now if your rationale for using it at the BOP elite race is so that you can surf it back in, then I say if you really are elite then you should be able to surf a 14′ race board back in. Plus I think the benefit to the wow factor could increase watching people trying to manage the larger boards through the surf. I also think it would level the playing field for the larger guys, and I’m not just saying that because I’m one of the larger guys, I don’t race in that division so there are no selfish motivations for this point. I honestly don’t think it will change the results much but it could play a factor.
From my perspective the 12’6″ is becoming an overbearing compromised design that neither progresses the sport nor continues to serve a functional need. I think the moment it is retired from all racing divisions, designers will be able to focus on designs that make sense to either the stock division (14 ‘) or the open class ( 16′ plus). If companies feel they need to accommodate an entry level racer they can just offer a wider version of their top of the line board as well as a cheaper construction like the Naish guys do.
To me racing is Nascar or Formula One. In motocross it’s 250 or 500 not 125′s, in stand up it’s 14 and open. Having the 12 foot class makes it hard on the racers to accommodate all the classes and it’s more difficult on the manufacturer to build all the classes and needlessly expensive to the retailer who has to figure out what to stock. I realize there are numerous classes to race cars in and all of them I’m sure are a lot of fun, and the same with motocross, but if we are going to put professionals out on the water for ever growing purses, let’s put them on professional equipment, not over compromised designs that don’t maximize the potential of the sport.
I look forward to any feed back or at least I hope to spark some good discussion wherever you might have an opinion.
Aloha,
Dave
I just purchased a used 12.6, turns out once I showed up to pick up the board, it was actually 12.0. It was affordable and convenient, so boom I paid for it. Problem now, its so slow, beginning to take the fun out of it, especially since I have grown up paddling canoe, so if “sup open” is formula 1, then oc1 is a fighter jet. I enjoy surfing and paddling, so sup is a nice marriage of the two, however, the 12.6 div from my newbie perspective could do more damage then good to attract elite athletes. That said, what am I to do? Not ready to purchase a 14 or open, but would like to race, maybe race organizers and shapers could team up to provide 14 and open class boards to use at race events, this would even the playing field and promote the new boards, win win. We could still train in our affordable 12.6.
Shoots Dave.. nice writing, keep it up.
Dave, I agree completely. I spent some good money buying a Bark 12’6 a few months back. It is an incredible board, but now I want a 14′. I wish I would have gotten that in the first place, but people said I should get the 12’6 in case I wanted to enter any races. I am about 205lbs, so I am guessing I should notice a speed difference going to the bigger board.
You know, I was totally having the exact same thoughts. I’m a bigger guy, only SUPing for four years, checking out the angles of racing. I used to scull competitively so I know something about speed and hull design and such, and I was all, “12’6″ Class? Really?” … but I kept my mouth shut because I figured I was just missing something and didn’t know enough. I’m really glad to hear you saying this, now… esp since I’ve got my eye on a Naish 14 Glide…
Thanks, Dave.
Aloha Dave,
Thanks so much for the wonderful things you do outside of kicking butt in the races. I’m still reading your articles on the Tahitian Stroke over and over…slowly making progress.
I love this topic and have one question: Why can’t the elite races just go unlimited? Put the buoys up and let em do laps on whatever board they want.
FYI This topic was mentioned on the Zone and is already several pages long!
Aloha and Thanks Again!
Ken
Kailua, Oahu
Hey Ken, If it was up to me it would all be unlimited. It’s really hard for me, and my mentality, to not want to go as fast as you possibly can, all the time. Not as fast as I can go on a slower board. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be a 12’6″ class, as a recreational division and take it back to what it really started as. A division that guys with wave riding boards could compete with other guys on like equipment, and not have to buy a ” racing board “. If you do want to buy a racing board, buy something that really moves and will maximize your efforts. From my perspective I want stand up to ultimately be the fastest craft on the water. We have a ways to go but if we achieve that, then we grow even larger as a sport and garnish more respect across the paddle sports arena. I saw one reader was concerned about the manufacturers perspective of stocking and retailers worried about room for displaying these boards. Both entities are in business to make money and if the market offers the opportunity to make money by selling large race boards then they will figure it out. The big “if” being if there is a need for them. Manufacturers will follow the market, the market will follow trends that seem to work, trend setters develop the trends ( ie. custom shapers, manufacturers with R & D budgets and open minds, innovative racers looking for an edge, and race directors that will allow truly unlimited designs). So in the end I guess a large part of your opinion depends on your ultimate goals for the sport, and your perspective on what is best for the sport as a whole. You know how that works, ten people will most likely result in ten opinions. I guess it comes down to this. We can stay within the lines of what the “leaders” want us to do or we can as individuals, do what we want (ride and design what we want and let them follow us). As long as we keep having fun we couldn’t be to far off track. Aloha, Dave
Dave – I think the 12′ 6″ should exist for women, kids, and recreational racers. Maybe not on the “Elite” or Pro level but for these other categories.
In Nascar there are several races where the cars have restrictor plates on them and it forces the drivers to rely on strategy and skill, not just speed and horsepower.
The unlimited class should only be an option in open ocean races or else it becomes a division for who can pay, get made and transport the biggest boards, as few, if any companies are making production 18ft + boards. Stay wet & Stand Strong!
The 12’6 for sure has it’s place, I’ve lately been riding all sizes and shapes really to try and understand SUPing more from all angles. Having the option to sell SUP’s as well has shown that there is a market for all in the heavier weight classes that need this sort of size that aren’t competing and need ocean bearing 14″ or 17″ for that matter but rather just want to cruise.
This sort of question is something that also spawns from the windsurfing industry as well with most manufacters having so many boards in the range that it’s hard to choose what’s the right thing to stock in the shop. I don’t own a shop, but I’ve had this chat so many times with many and well, all you can do is quote good old Dr Sues on this one. “should you turn left or right…or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite? Great question but I’m sure the 12’6″ will later be replaced by the 12’7″ and we’ll be asking in years to come do this.
Great read DAVE
Wes South Africa
Dave, totally agree with the 14ft and Unlimited Class for Elite races (Including 14ft added for BOP). I have been racing BARK Unlimited SUP’s here in FL since 2008 and actually just switched to the 14ft class late this Fall 2010. Chuck Patterson and I have talked quite a bit about this as well and being that we are similar builds (6’1″, 210+lbs.) racing 12’6″ is like racing a mountain bike with flat tires. One of the greatest aggrevations in the past year is the growing “Elite” Class comps that only award prize money to the Elite 12’6″ class. There is a lot of talk lately circling around the future of race classes (especially with potential discussions of SUP racing possibly heading to the Olympics or other World Class growth). The WPA and other organizations are trying to help guide event coordinators (and in turn the manufacturers) to add the 14ft class as an Elite Division and then look at Unlimited as well.
Excellent thoughts. 14′ makes a lot of sense as the board category when it is narrowed down to only one. Having at least threee categories (12’6″, 14′ & Unlimited) seems to be the norm in most races I’ve been in in California over the past year … for guys.
Yeah … dudes, men, hombres, etc.
There is ONE WORD you’re missing in your discussion (you choose the variation)
women, girls, wahines, chicas, females, etc.
I know we are still a fraction in numbers compared to the men, but the percentage of racers that are female is growing. I think 12’6″ should be the standard size for women.
Please include women in your written thoughts & conversations. You’ve got some excellent blog posts. Thanks!
(btw, chanting ‘reach, dammit, reach’ to myself during races helps!
)
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Thanks for the great advice Dave.
The surf here in NJ does not always cooperate but with our expansive back bays and frequently flat seas, I’m considering adding flat water paddling. I was concerned that a longer board would present additional hurdles including storage, transportation etc., but after reading your article and follow-up posts, I am fairly convinced that longer is the better option for my 205lb frame.
Great web site!
Crap, I just bought one, LOL…nah, its ok…having fun is the name of the game. Howsit Dave, Deb (Nantucket) here…I just picked up one of Livio’s SIC X12′s boards. Had a good time connecting the bumps on a DW from Baldwin to the Harbor. I just wanted a board I could enter any race with including the BOTP…was told that was a good choice…we’ll see : ) Keep ripping!!
If you want to travel by plane with your board 12’6 is the limit. It’s as simple as that. 12’6 works for racers who want to go places, but don’t have sponsors to provide them with gear on arrival.
Dave, mahalo for all the great SUP tips and tricks! I’m an avid SUP surfer who just entered my first race, the Ocean Quest Waimea to Haleiwa. I was planning in using my PSH 10’6″ all arounder for this run and possibly buy a 12’6″ C4 switchblade if I liked the feel if racing. Now that I read this post, I may just upgrade and go straight to a 14′ board.
Keep up the great work! You are an inspiration to me. Good luck on the Molokai 2 Oahu!