Hi Strava team,
I’m writing to request the addition of an “SLS Board” activity type to Strava for Surf Life Saving participants in Australia.
Surf Life Saving (SLS) boards — often called club boards — are very different from surfboards in size, shape and purpose. They’re used for long-distance paddling, training sessions and surf sports competition, and many athletes switch between prone and kneeling in the same session. Currently, “surfing” is the closest option, but it doesn’t reflect the actual effort, distance, or style of SLS board paddling.
SLS is widely practised across Australia, with over 316 affiliated clubs and around 198,000 members nationally, and hundreds of surf sports events and carnivals held each season, including 400+ events at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships alone. This represents a large and active community already using Strava, but without a suitable activity category.
A dedicated “SLS Board” activity would allow more accurate tracking, better segment data, and clearer distinction from surfing activities. It would also encourage greater engagement from the Surf Life Saving community.
I’m happy to provide further details, examples, or contacts if helpful.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
Josh Davidson
