Chasing The Doctor: Why This Aussie Downwind Race is the Ultimate Goal
I’ve been paddling for 20 years. I’ve felt the wind at my back during "The Doctor" in Western Australia and handled the swells in Hawaii. If you want to move from just floating to actually covering distance, you need to change how you think about gear.
Most beginners start with a cheap blow up sup that bends in the middle. That's fine for a lake, but if you want to tackle open water, you need a board that tracks straight and stays stiff. When you look at isup vs sup, the modern high-pressure touring boards are the clear winners for portability and speed.
The Long-Distance Starter: Efficiency and Comfort
If you're in Australia or New Zealand and want to explore the coast without getting exhausted after 20 minutes, you need a longer board. A standard 10ft board is like driving a tractor; a 350cm touring board is like a cruiser.
WERSIY 350cm Extended SUP – Ergonomic Comfort for Long-Distance Gliding is better for intermediate paddlers because it balances stability with a fast shape. It’s designed to help you paddle further with less effort, which is exactly what you need when the wind picks up.
WERSIY Extended All-Round Series (available in “Tide-Blue Crest”, “Crimson Tide Red”, “Sun-Moon Lavender”,“Celestial Jade Green”, “Celestial Pearl White”and “Celestial Midnight Black” styles) is designed for long-distance gliding, with "extended board + ergonomics" as the core to enhance comfort. The series uses a 350cm extended board (20-50cm longer than regular SUPs), improving gliding efficiency—each paddle stroke covers more distance, reducing fatigue during long trips; made of 0.9mm high-density drop-stitch PVC, it maintains 15PSI inflation hardness for stability, with a single board only 7.5kg for easy carrying. The 81cm width ensures basic stability, and the 15cm thickness provides sufficient buoyancy (maximum load 130kg), supporting solo long-distance travel or carrying a small dry bag. The deck pad adopts an ergonomic contour design (thickened in the standing area, thinned at the edges) to reduce foot soreness during long-term use; 8 integrated D-rings can flexibly fix gear (such as waterproof phone bags, hydration packs). Accessories include a high-efficiency carbon fiber paddle (telescoping 2.2-2.5m, lightweight and durable), a dual-action air pump, a removable large center fin (improving tracking accuracy) and a waterproof storage bag. It’s suitable for scenarios like cross-lake cruising, long-distance coastal exploration, and leisure water roaming—a long-distance gliding gear balancing efficiency and comfort.
The Professional Choice: Speed and High Pressure
When you're training for an event like "The Doctor," you can't have any "flex" in your board. Every time your board bends, you lose speed. You need a board that can handle high pressure to stay rock-hard.
Pro WERSIY Cruising SUP (Up to 395cm) – 18PSI High Rigidity for Speed & Precision is better for professionals because it can handle 18PSI. This creates a surface almost as hard as a fiberglass board, allowing you to cut through the chop in Sydney or Hawaii with total precision.
WERSIY Cruising Series (including “Aqua-Shade Blue 380”, “Emerald Veil Green 350”and“Sun-Aura Orange 350”models) is a professional-grade long-distance navigation gear, with "aerodynamic shape + high rigidity" as the core to meet advanced needs. The series adopts a streamlined narrow design (78cm width, up to 395cm length) to reduce water resistance, suitable for maintaining speed during long-distance navigation; made of 1.1mm ultra-thick drop-stitch PVC (with reinforced side rails), it can reach 18PSI inflation hardness (close to hard boards) to ensure excellent gliding performance, with a maximum load of 140kg. The board deck is optimized for efficiency: the non-slip pad only covers the standing area, and optional integrated foot straps adapt to more aggressive paddling postures; the 3-fin setup improves tracking accuracy, maintaining straight gliding even in mild currents. Accessories include a full carbon fiber paddle (only 0.7kg ultra-light), a high-pressure air pump, a reinforced leash and a hard-shell storage case. It’s suitable for scenarios like advanced SUP cruising, cross-water expeditions, and performance-oriented water activities.
The Pumping Truth: Save Your Energy
I see it at every boat ramp in the Gold Coast: people sweating and panting while trying to pump up paddle board by hand. Don't be that person. You want your energy for the 20km paddle, not the parking lot.
Pro Tip: Rockerwave doesn't sell electric pumps because of shipping and customs issues, but you should absolutely own an electric pump for sup boards. Go to your local BCF, Anaconda, or marine shop and buy a 12V paddle board pump. It plugs into your car and hits that 15-18 PSI while you get your leash on. It’s a total life-saver.
Comparison: Touring vs. Cruising
| Feature | WERSIY 350cm Extended | Pro WERSIY Cruising SUP |
|---|---|---|
| Max PSI | 15 PSI | 18 PSI (Maximum Stiffness) |
| Best For | Beginners to Intermediate / Touring | Advanced / Downwind Training |
| Stability | High (81cm width) | Moderate (78cm width) |
| Glide Speed | Very Good | Professional / High Efficiency |
Protect Your Gear
In Australia and Hawaii, the sun is a killer. If you want your board to last for years, you need to know how to store paddle boards properly. Rinse the salt off every time.
For paddle board storage, keep it out of the heat. Use a paddle board wall rack or a sup board rack in your garage. If you leave your board on the floor, it gets dinged or dirty. A proper sup board rack keeps your investment safe and ready for the next swell.
Final Thoughts
The Doctor is a tough race, but with the right gear, it's the thrill of a lifetime. Whether you want the comfort of the WERSIY 350cm or the speed of the Pro Cruising SUP, stop settling for "basic" boards. Grab your 12V pump from a local shop and get out there.
Ready to chase the wind? Explore the Rockerwave collection and find your touring board today.
