I don't do anything remotely computer related on weekends, so I've just seen this post.
The reason I like San Shou and why I've converted to it as my sole form of competition is that it gives me a chance to really mix it up.
I don't get that chance in class because I'm an assistant instructer and I seriously out match the newbies. It would be like picking fights with my 8 year old nephew and expecting to get anything productive out of it if I was to seriously spar any of the students in my class.
Also, when dealing with Si Hing or Si Fu, I have a natural tendancy to hold back. I don't want to mix it up seriously because of respect, and, no matter how good I get, my Sifu would just wipe the floor with me. The dude is super human fast.
So San Shou gives me the opportunity to go all out without restrictions.
Most of the people that knock San Shou here haven't tried it.
I like to think of it as another important training device in my development as a martial artist. I get so much out of it just by competing. I really don't care for "this is better than that" type of arguments like this thread has become. Who cares if a throw looks like wrestling or a punch looks like boxing if it works. That's why I say that there isn't a serious fighter who isn't MMA. I would even venture to say that all major MMA people who are successful in the UFC and such are actually the best examples of Bruce Lee's concept of Jeet Kune Do.