Are you interested in the SUP racing scene but have no experience yet? What are the differences between the races and which board do you need for them? Here we present a brief overview of the most common race formats and distances, and which board lengths are suitable for which races. However, this information can only serve as a guide. As the various associations continue to fine-tune their regulations in this still young sport, the authorised board classes or lengths may change in the future.
SPRINT / CROSS: Track length mostly under 500 metres
The beach start (also known as the Le Mans start) is common. You run into the water with your board and then jump on. The sprint has short straights with several tight buoy turns. In cross, you normally have two routes that cross each other. Sprint/cross competitions are generally organised as heats, with four to eight participants per heat. There is often a scramble during turns at the buoy, and it is not uncommon for riders to fall into the water here.
Board selection:SUP racers without racing experience should start with sprints on a 12'6'' inflatable. A wider board, around 28'' to 30'', offers more stability. In some sprint competitions, only inflatables are allowed, or standard boards are provided by the organiser (e.g. Naish One). In many sprint races, at least in Germany, hardboards up to 14'' in length are permitted. Occasionally, a 12'6'' board might be the better choice because it is easier to turn. However, the tactical situation is that you want to gain a lead from the start to the first buoy. And this is only possible with a 14-foot board.
Board class Hardboard or InflatableLength 12'6'' / 14'Width 24''- 30'
FLATWATER RACE
You can recognise the fast racing boards at a glance. Here we briefly summarise the pros and cons.
The 14'er
Length 14' (426 cm)Width 23'' to 29''Volume230 to 290 litres
PRO-Higher travelling speed possible-Very good glide-Track stability, straight-line stability is easier
CONTRA-difficult to turn-a narrow board tilts more easily-Made of lightweight material such as carbon and therefore very sensitive
THE 12'6''
Length 12'6'' (381 cm)Width 24'' to 30''Volume 220 to 265 litres
PRO-easier to turn than the 14-foot boards-are somewhat "handier" for small, light riders
CONTRA - not quite as fast as the 14'er - sometimes too little volume for heavy riders - can be easily damaged
INFLATABLE
Length 12'6'' to 14'Width 24.5'' to 30''Volume 240 to 330 litres
PRO - lightweight - very robust, will not be damaged by board contact or beach start
CONTRA - somewhat sluggish - difficult to maintain speed over long distances - always needs to be pumped up
KIDS BOARD
Length 8'6'' to 10'6''Width 24'' to 26''Volume 130 to 150 litres
PRO - short and manoeuvrable for the little ones - light and very robust as an iSUP board
CONTRA - little choice; not every manufacturer's programme - children's carbon raceboards are very expensive
TECHNICAL RACE: track length about two to six kilometres
It usually starts with a beach start, often over several laps, which result in an average course length. On each lap, you often drive to the shore or beach, jump off the board, pick it up, run round a buoy on land, jump back on and continue. Normally you also have to jump off the board to run through the finish on land - just with paddle in hand. Technical races are popular in northern Germany and are mainly held in light to moderate swell on the Baltic or North Sea. Some surfing experience is very helpful for this.
Board selection: Tipping stability is important here, especially in wavy water and when turning around buoys, so the board can be a little wider. A 12'6'' can be competitive in short distances and wavy conditions. It makes turning, carrying and running easier. On the wave towards the shore, 12'6''s and 14's surf equally fast. Against high waves, even a 14'' can sometimes not fulfil its potential. For technically experienced paddlers, however, 14'' hardboards are the fastest choice in most cases.
Board class Hardboard or InflatableLength 12'6'' / 14'Width 25''- 30''
LONG DISTANCE: route length about six to 16 kilometres
The start is usually in the water - standing on the board - followed by a course with long straights, usually two to three laps. Distance races are also occasionally organised on canals or rivers with low flow speeds. The starting position and the "draft" - riding one behind the other in order to utilise the wake of the rider in front - can be decisive. Buoy turns are still very important, but usually not as tight as in the sprint. You can expect the race to last around one to three hours.
Board selectionStandard for flat water raceboards are 12'6'' or 14'. In the rankings, 12'6'' boards are sometimes emphasised, but there are rarely separate rankings for them in Germany. Internationally, 12'6'' rankings are also organised. If the board is longer, the directional stability and gliding characteristics are better. In flat water, if it is permitted and is rated together, a 14'' race board is always the best choice. Racing on inflatable boards is much more strenuous because a lot of strength and stamina is required to keep the board at a high speed. In general, the narrower the board, the less stable it is. Common race board widths are 23.5'' to 27''. Depending on height and weight, 26''-28'' is usually narrow enough for a beginner racer. Experienced or very light paddlers (under 75 kilos) tend to use 23.5'' to 25'' wide boards. If you can't judge this at all, you should try it out. How narrow you can go depends very much on your talent. If the board is just five centimetres too narrow, it can throw you off several times in the race. Concentrating on the board costs energy and prevents efficient paddling. Most race boards are made of carbon and weigh between nine and 13 kilos.
Board class HardboardLength 12'6'' / 14'Width 23,5''- 30''
RUNNING FOR BEGINNERS: route length about three to five kilometres
For beginners, there are often so-called fun, Malibu, amateur or surfboard competitions, sometimes limited to certain board characteristics (round bow, flat underwater hull without anchoring at the front), sometimes open to all board lengths and classes.
Board selection:In general, a hardboard is faster and glides better than an inflatable, although a wide, heavy all-round or touring board can hardly keep up with an inflatable raceboard. The pointed nose is also usually faster than a round one.
Board class Hardboard/ InflatableLength up to 12'6'' /14'Width 27''- 32''
KIDS RACE: Course length: 200 to 500 metres
Usually a short sprint, often divided into age groups, with one or two rounds of the buoys. The boards, mainly iSUPs, are often provided by the organiser. Good boards for children up to around 13 years of age are as narrow as possible (under 26'') for all ability levels so that the kids can learn a clean technique (with the paddle as vertical as possible).
Board class InflatableLength 8'6'' to 10'6''Width 24''- 26''
REGLEMENT
In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the standard length for races is predominantly 14', often with a sub-rating for 12'6''. Women and men are scored separately. In foreign races, different board lengths are sometimes prescribed for men (14') and women (12'6''). In some European countries, such as France and Italy, as well as in international competitions, the elite rides 12'6", including the SUP World Championship of the International Surfing Association (ISA).
ConclusionConsider which racing format appeals to you and whether you will be racing more often in areas with swell. If so, a wider board (27''-30'') offers more stability. A 14-foot long board is faster but more difficult to turn. A 24-inch narrow board is only fast if you can paddle fully in all conditions without wobbling; if the board is too narrow, you will have to use a lot of energy and concentration to balance and may not be able to achieve the potential extra speed. For best results: Choose a board that is as long as possible and then as narrow as possible so that you can paddle safely in any situation.
Tip: Before a race or registration, you should check the organiser's announcement thoroughly.
