The SUP World Ranking generates event classifications based on mathematics and the Ultra Distance will be the big news for next year
Our sport does not stop growing and it seems that it has no limits either. Ingenuity is already part of Stand Up Paddle and we have verified it with the people of the SUP World Ranking, which is based on mathematics and statistics, they generate a classification with the results of Stand Up Paddle competitions throughout the world.
A system (here you can find out how it works), which you may or may not agree with, but it is really peculiar and motivating for competitors and organizers from all over the world. For this reason, we have shared with you some SWR news for next year and how 2022 is going for them.
What innovations and changes are planned for the SWR system in 2023?
We will further develop our existing system and launch the ULTRA DISTANCE SUP WORLD RANKING.
We are adding 3 new features to our existing system to provide website visitors with even more information about the races and the competitors. With the increasing number and quality of races in 2022, it will allow us to start producing a TOP 100 men’s and women’s All-Time ranking from 2023. Changes are coming to the women’s points system and new search modules will be added to the Event Calendar. You can find detailed information about these improvements here.
Can you tell us about the ULTRA DISTANCE (UD) ranking?
For years, the idea of including one of the most evolving types of racing in the list has been maturing – ULTRA DISTANCE racing. Last year Vincent Claeskens from Belgium, owner of the Belgian SUP tour, approached me to develop the details of the ULTRA ranking.
There were a lot of questions that could influence the creation of a fair ranking based on real values. The length of the race distances, the number of race days, the number of participants, the parameters of the board, and I could list a lot of factors that influence the ranking.
For many months I consulted with my mathematician friend, a professor, and tried to optimise the variable elements on the basis of various statistical calculations to ensure that the ULTRA performances could be measured together.
What parameters will determine the registration rules for ULTRA DISTANCE races ?
- The Ultra Distance starts from 32 kilometres.
- Only 14′ categories will be scored (if the number of unlimited board riders in the races increases we will make a separate ranking for them)
- The minimum number of participants is 15 (girls and boys together)
- The TOP 20 competitors will be scored in both categories male/female (no minimum number of entries)
- Only races where the riders are equipped with GPS tracking systems will be counted.
- Separate rankings for single-day and multi-day races (SINGLE- STAGE men /SINGLE-STAGE women and MULTI-STAGE men / MULTI-STAGE women)
- In races where there is a results announcement every day and the distance exceeds 32 km (such as SUP 11 City Tour) the daily results will be put on the SINGLE-STAGE list and the final results will be put on the MULTI-STAGE list on day 5.
- At the end of the year, the scores of the 2 type ranked competitors will be added up and a champion will be announced. Of course, separately for girls and boys.
- In the first year, 3 factors determine the points value of the competition: 1 total number of competitors, 2 number of nations,3 prize money.
Why is 32 km the base distance for the ULTRA DISTANCE?
We started from ultra running, where 50km is the smallest ULTRA distance. A professional runner can complete this in about 4 minutes per km, so it takes approximately 200 minutes to complete the distance. If we look at the performance of pro SUP paddlers, they can paddle an average of around 6 minutes per kilometre, so they can cover around 32-33 kilometres in the same time. So this is where we draw the line and from here upwards all distances are considered ULTRA DISTANCE like in athletics.
How are the developments going ?
I’m delighted that Vincent is not just an idea man on the ULTRA DISTANCE project. At the end of September we signed a cooperation agreement and in 2023 the Belgian SUP Tour will be the title sponsor of the ULTRA DISTANCE SUP WORLD RANKING (UDSWR).This agreement will help the development and also promote the Ultra races.
What are your objectives in launching UDSWR?
If you look at the last 15-20 years of the sporting world, the trends are clear. Recreational sports have seen a huge development and within this, all ultra endurance or extreme performance sports are developing faster than the classic sports that have been competing in the Olympics for the last 40-60 years. SUP is no exception. In the last 5 years, the number of UD distance SUP races has doubled and the number of competitors is also growing rapidly. With the launch of the UDSWR, our main aim is to promote UD racing!
We believe it is important to have a set of rules that are accepted by both race organisers and competitors , which will provide a framework for the work in the coming years. I believe that a quantified comparison of races and competitors will create a healthy competitive environment that will move SUP forward.
I look forward to hearing from sports professionals and race organisers who have ideas or opinions about UD tournaments to write to me at race@supworldrankig.com so that we can discuss your ideas.
What trends do you see based on SWR 2022 data ?
There are still 3 months of the year left (and an ISA SUP World Championship ), but there is a clear upward trend in the numbers. We have already evaluated nearly 140 races which will exceed 2021, with the average number of competitors at events increasing.
The number of children and junior competitions is increasing. The number of European competitions clearly leads the statistics. French and Spanish dominance is strong, but Denmark, England, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium are also doing well in terms of statistical numbers.
Which country or continent could be the surprise factor in 2023?
The rise of the Asian region is clearly visible. Japan has been strong in recent years, but South Korea, Thailand and China are also making huge strides. Indonesia, Taiwan and Singapore are also gaining ground.
I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these countries hosts the ICF or ISA SUP World Championships in 2023. However, America is also starting to find its feet again and hopefully we will soon see another big compatitions, like in 2012-17 events in California or Hawaii.
How will sponsorship and partnerships evolve in 2023?
As a result of the growth in the number of views on our website and our systematic work, we will continue to work with existing sponsors in 2023. Of course, we are looking for new relationships with companies who want to sell their products on the global SUP market, and SUP enthusiasts who visit our website are the target customers for them.
We can also offer different types of partner programs to rowing clubs, SUP Associations and SUP race organizers, which are mutually beneficial for both parties. This autumn we have launched a donation line, also, where individuals can support our work and development here.
