THE STATE OF PLAY
After writing the last issue’s Close Out about the annual BSUPA Watergate Bay event, an event which I usually attend as a spectator, my wife pointed out that my birthday coincided with the first day of this year’s event. Using this as leverage the wily woman actually managed to convince me to enter, against difficult odds I may add.
With Rob Small // Photo Bob Berry / BSUPA
Consequently I found myself obliged to be at Watergate (until the quarter finals!) and rather than picking the eyes out of the event between beers, the opportunity to have a good look at what’s really going on presented itself. I’m not sure that I haven’t made a pig’s ear of it and consideration must be allowed for the arbitrary nature of my observations, so in no particular order of importance, here it is:
The BSUPA are having a good go at it. It’s grassroots, thankless and most probably a ball ache. It was like being back at the Cornish and Open in ’84, minus the herbal smell. And some competitors are so, so special, even at this level. However there’s lot’s that can be improved easily. I believe that the BSUPA have sent out a questionnaire asking for suggestions.
Bravo! Take time to fill it in if you have one (note to self: take time to fill in questionnaire.)
“ In good (or big) conditions it’s game on and we’re back to the gladiatorial aspect that’s so compelling ”
Aaron Rowe. As predicted in this very column not so long ago, Aaron rightly crushed the field. Aaron Rowe is the only truly international level SUP competitor (and possibly rider) that the British Isles has. In every aspect of his surfing, full stop. Everybody else is a distant country mile behind, vying for second fiddle. Take issue if you wish, it’s true.
SUP surfing remains a middle aged sport. Although there were a bunch of youngsters having a crack of the whip (definite improvement in level across the board here) it’s still looks mostly like an enthusiast’s sport rather than a performance showcase. The smell of Brut and watery eyed middle aged stare outs are still the norm. Selfishly, I’m hoping that this trend continues as in a few years I’ll get my SAGA discount for the open division.
There are some great SUP surfboards about and a whole load of shit too.
Parking in the beach carpark is much complicated by black Range Rovers. This is good for Watergate, Jamie Oliver and hopefully some SUP brands following the event.
As a spectator sport, SUP surfing is the same as any other form of surfing. To a bloke from Stoke it’s unfathomable, irrelevant and not as interesting as …well almost anything. This is only compounded by shit surf. At least on the Saturday the kites were pretty. “Oh that’s a different sport is it?” In good (or big) conditions it’s game on and we’re back to the gladiatorial aspect that’s so compelling. I think I shall point this out when I fill in my BSUPA questionnaire. I heard a whisper that the BSUPA’s Richard Marsh is a Vodou Houngan and with the right incentive (free range organic chickens and high quality rum only please) can actually guarantee 6ft light offshore waves for every event. SUP