Question: I thought that drafting during SUP races was legal but someone gave me the stink eye when they came up along side of me at an SUP race last weekend. I was [ riding a stock board ] following [ name of rider removed but we know them and they were on an unlimited board ] when the dude got upset with me. Any ideas?

– Anonymous, CA

Answer: Drafting is part of endurance sports. Unless an SUP race director states that drafting is not legal you should assume it is. That said, in our opinion, in some situations, drafting during an SUP race could amount to unsportsmanlike conduct.

In the ideal world, SUP races would be divided by age group and board class (size). For example, 40-44 year old men riding 12’6” (stock) boards would race separately from 30-35 year old men riding unlimited boards. The problem is that we do not live in an ideal world. Due to time constraints, funding, and the fact that some SUP races have only a few participants, mass starts are the rule at SUP races and riders of all ages and board classes are racing together.  This creates a potential problem related to drafting.

Before we address the drafting issue, you should keep in mind that drafting is hugely beneficial to other riders. It has been estimated that the second person in line saves about 15-25% energy of the first paddler. The third person in line saves 20-40% more energy than the first paddler. Anyone else behind the third person saves around 20-40% of their energy.  This energy savings could allow a slower rider to stay with a faster rider. This energy savings could also allow a rider on a slower SUP race board (say a stock board) stay with a rider on a faster SUP race board (such as an unlimited board).

The speed differential between unlimited boards and stock boards can be as much as 1.5 miles per hour. This creates a problem* because riders on stock boards – drafting off of riders on unlimited boards – can go faster than other comparatively fit riders on stock boards or comparatively fit riders on stock boards drafting on other stock boards.  In this situation, the only factor that (theoretically) determines the winner of the race is which rider was able to find an unlimited board to draft off.

This situation is, therefore, unfair to riders on stock boards who do not have a rider on an unlimited board (or other larger board) to pace them during the race. Stated another way, unless a rider on a stock board is able to attach themselves to a rider on a larger board they have essentially no chance at catching a rider on a stock board drafting on an unlimited board even if groups of riders on stock boards work together.

Therefore, it is our opinion, drafting off of riders with longer boards should be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and is discouraged.** Although this practice is not considered cheating per se,  do not be surprised if you ruffle some feathers if you win a race by drafting on a rider on an unlimited board.

So, was this why you got the stink eye in your race?  It is possible. It is also possible that you did something stupid like cut him off a few miles back; he was cracked and you mistook stink eye for exhaustion, or that might just be his game face and he was trying to get inside your head. There are many reasons why someone would glare at you during a race. Glaring at one another part of the sport. Get used to it.

*for this discussion lets assume that all riders in the field are equally fit and have equal racing skills.

** the converse, however, is not true. If a rider on an unlimited board wants to draft on a stock board, have at it. This is a dull move. If you find yourself drafting off of a rider on a shorter board,  you are probably not going to be a factor in your division anyway.

Roch