Your opinion about the number of people racing in the future
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:16 pm
by spacemonkey
Hi,
I was wondering with the Olympics around the corner and the positive vibe coming of the competitions (pkra , kte, etc) How many boards does a manufacturer is gonna sell in the future?
The entry cost is quite high and racing is difficult.
Are we talking 100 boards or 1000 boards?
Do you guys see alot of people going to a store and buying one at your local beach?
Re: Your opinion about the number of people racing in the fu
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 5:34 pm
by Toby
good question! I am wondering too where this will go.
I hear different comments...mainly older guys see it as challenge to compete.
Then also young guys will train more to see if they maybe can be able to get to Olympia.
But, I think there will be way more people buying a surf board than a race board...
Re: Your opinion about the number of people racing in the fu
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:25 pm
by ronnie
There will be only one male or female kiter per country going to the Olympics, so I dont think the Olympics will have much influence on numbers. It will also depend on whether it goes One Design or box rules.
The PKRA system with box rule is a way to keep all the manufacturers interested and supporting it and that should be better for numbers for course racing.
I expect Slalom racing to eventually be more popular than course racing the same way that it is with windsurfers. You can hold it in very light winds and the speeds are higher and the boards will be easier to sail - a bit like the Airush Sector.
Re: Your opinion about the number of people racing in the fu
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:37 pm
by Toby
I hope it will be box rule! So does everyone I guess.
Slalom is more exciting to watch, but I heard racers saying, once you are first at starting line, no one can overtake you...that also makes it boring.
Should be interesting for all!
Re: Your opinion about the number of people racing in the fu
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:10 pm
by ronnie
Toby wrote:I hope it will be box rule! So does everyone I guess.
Slalom is more exciting to watch, but I heard racers saying, once you are first at starting line, no one can overtake you...that also makes it boring.
Should be interesting for all!
Must have forgot to tell these guys.
Re: Your opinion about the number of people racing in the fu
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:18 pm
by tautologies
Toby wrote:good question! I am wondering too where this will go.
I hear different comments...mainly older guys see it as challenge to compete.
Then also young guys will train more to see if they maybe can be able to get to Olympia.
But, I think there will be way more people buying a surf board than a race board...
You guys should have seen the race scene on Maui this weekend. Guessing the youngest participants were 12 years old. Everyone having a lot of fun (except one guy). I'm guessing most people will take the get a board that is somewhere between surf and race, and cruise, but as raceboards gets easier to ride, more people will get them for sure.