FAQ
Answers to the questions paddlers, brands, organizers and photographers ask us most: reviews, stories, events, photos, places, your account and Supconnect itself.
Every question below has a short answer here and a page of its own with the full answer. Pick a category, or scroll through them all.
Reviews
How do I get my product reviewed?
Anyone can submit a product for review, and it is free. Mail it to us with your catalog; we review our sponsors' products first and cannot promise when we review others.
How much does a review cost?
Nothing. A review is free. We review our sponsors' products first, so we cannot promise when, or whether, we review a product from anyone else.
What products do you review?
Anything you use for stand up paddling: boards, paddles and accessories. If you can use it while paddle boarding, it qualifies.
Who reviews the products?
Our editorial staff reviews every product, led by publisher Andre Niemeyer, which keeps every review consistent and expert.
What standards do you use to review products?
We assess every board on 24 consistent metrics, weighted by the board's category, and build each review's plain-language verdict on them.
When do you review products?
In two rounds a year: gear that arrives from October 1 through February 28 is reviewed for our Spring Launch, and gear that arrives from March 1 through June 30 for our Summer Launch.
When will my review be published?
In our Spring Launch, on or before March 31, or our Summer Launch, on or before July 31, depending on when your gear arrives.
How do you promote the reviews?
Across all our channels: our social media, our editorial pages and our newsletter, the Weekly Recap.
How does a product earn an "A" grade?
An "A" goes to the products our editorial team judges best in their category, weighing design, features, how the product looks and feels, and its quality and value for the price.
What happens to my product after the review?
We keep it. Products sent for review are not returned, so please write them off as promotional material. We may use them in promotions and other projects.
Stories And News
How do I submit news or a story?
Send our editors a short pitch through the contact form. Our Submit News Or A Story guide says what we publish and what to send.
What kinds of stories do you publish?
News, tips, travel, opinion and profiles: stand up paddling stories for paddlers, from the paddling community.
Do you pay contributors?
No, contributors are not paid. You are welcome to use your story or feature on Supconnect to promote your photography, writing, shop, event, coaching or other work.
Events
How do I list my event on the calendar?
Fill in the Submit An Event form. An editor checks it against the organizer's own website, then adds it to the Supconnect events calendar.
Does it cost anything to list an event?
No. Listing a stand up paddle race, festival, clinic or tour on the Supconnect events calendar is free.
How long until my event is live?
Usually a few days. An editor checks every submission against the organizer's website before it goes live, and we respond within 14 days.
How do I manage my event's page?
Claim it: on your event's page, choose "Organize this event? Claim it". Once an editor approves your claim, you send us changes and we publish them.
How do I correct or cancel an event?
First claim the event: on its page, choose "Organize this event? Claim it". Then contact us through the contact form with the topic "Events" and tell us what to correct, or that it is cancelled.
Racing And The Power Score
How do I submit race results?
Organizers and timers send them with the Submit Race Results form, or by email. Every finish feeds the Power Score, with credit to your event and a link back.
What should a race results file include?
A CSV or Excel file as your timing system exported it, every category, DNFs included. A PDF with text in it works too, or a link to your results page.
Why did my rating barely move after a win?
Because your rating already expected most of it. A race is worth what it adds to what your other races say.
Does a DNF hurt my rating?
No. A DNF, DNS or DSQ never enters a head-to-head and never costs rating.
Can I protect my rating by skipping races?
No. Skipping races cannot raise a rating, and losing to stronger paddlers costs little.
Why is my race not in the Power Score?
We count only races whose results we hold, sent or published by the organizer, the timing provider or the federation, with permission.
Is a Masters rating compared with the Open table?
No. Each Masters group is rated on its own, from its own races, and has its own table under the age filter.
Why do you not use results from PaddleGuru or Webscorer?
They forbid copying their results in writing, so we never take results from them. We take them from organizers, timing providers and federations who let us.
How often does the Power Score update?
We check for new results every morning. A new list publishes when the results it counts have changed, and on the 1st of every month.
Why is a nation's score lower than its best paddler's?
Because it is an average of the nation's best-rated men or women, so the paddlers behind the best one pull it down.
Why does a row read "Races in the United States" instead of a flag?
Because no result sheet we hold prints that paddler's nation, and we never guess one.
Why are juniors not listed?
A junior's races count in everyone's rating, theirs included, but no junior is named anywhere in the Power Score.
Photos And The Photo Contest
How do I enter the Photo Contest?
Send up to five of your paddling photos with the entry form. Our editors review every photo, and approved ones join the Photo Contest with your name.
Who can enter the Photo Contest?
Any paddler 13 or older. If you are 13 to 17, ask a parent or guardian first.
How many photos can I enter?
Up to five photos per entry, and you can enter as often as you like. Entries are open all year, with no deadline.
Do I keep the copyright to my photos?
Yes. You keep your copyright, and we always credit you by name.
How do I get my photo taken down?
Email info@supconnect.com and tell us which photo you want removed. We will take it down.
What is the difference between the Photographer Series and the Photo Contest?
The Photographer Series features one photographer at a time, with their story and best shots. The Photo Contest is open to every paddler, with photos our editors approve.
How do I get featured in the Photographer Series?
Send a few of your favorite shots and a little about yourself with the Submit Photos form. If they fit, we email you interview questions and build the feature with you.
Places, Travel And The Map
How do I suggest a place to paddle?
Use the Submit A Destination form: tell us what makes the place special, where to launch and when to go. An editor checks it and writes it up in our own words.
How do I add or correct a place on the map?
Use the Submit A Place form for a rental and lesson spot, shop, launch, club or event venue we are missing, or a correction to one we list. An editor checks every one.
What does Supconnect Verified mean?
Someone from Supconnect visited the place in person within the last year and checked the safety briefing, the gear, the rental fleet and the instructors' certifications.
How do I claim my business listing?
Find your place on the map, open its page and choose Claim this listing. It is free, and we respond within 7 days.
Courses
How do I submit my race's course?
Use the Submit Your Course form, signed in to your free account, or email it. An editor draws it as a Test Course that paddlers can find from your race's page.
What files do you take for a course?
A GPX, KML or GeoJSON file of the course line, or a GPS track of one clean lap. A course map image works too, or a description of the course.
What does "not yet measured" mean on a course?
The course's line is provisional: no measured GPS trace has verified it yet. Times on it, and their Virtual Power Score, are provisional until one does.
Your Account
Is a Supconnect account free?
Yes. A Supconnect account is free, and reading the site stays open without one.
What can I do with a Supconnect account?
Save the stories and events you want to your own paddling guide, and add your paddling photos. Reading stays open without one.
How do I delete my account?
On the website, open Settings and choose Delete Your Account. In the Supconnect app, go to You › Delete Account. Deleting cannot be undone.
How do I get a copy of my data?
Sign in, open Settings and choose Download Your Data for a copy of what you have saved and posted.
How do I unsubscribe from the Weekly Recap?
Use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any issue. Deleting your Supconnect account does not unsubscribe you from the newsletter.
Supconnect
How do I advertise with Supconnect?
Email info@supconnect.com and ask for the media kit. We will send you the current kit with our advertising options.
How do I report a correction to a story?
Get in touch through the contact form or email info@supconnect.com. Send us the link to the story and tell us what needs fixing.
How do the SUP Awards work?
The Supconnect Awards, started in 2010, recognize people, brands, products and shops that make exceptional contributions to SUP. They come in two versions: Editor's Choice and People's Choice.
Who picks the SUP Award winners?
It depends on the award. Our editors decide the Editor's Choice Awards, with input from our advisory board and public votes and comments. People's Choice goes to the nominee with the most votes.
Still Have A Question?
Use the contact form or email info@supconnect.com.
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