The Big Dippa 2025

Some partnerships just work – and that’s exactly the case with the brilliant crew at Northerly Swell Surfside Emporium and the Northern SUP Race Club. You know good people when you meet them, and thanks to the equally wonderful Anna Little, I was introduced in 2024 to Northerly Swell’s very own Mark Ward and Michael Dobinson, when I came up to do the live feed for the Big Dippa. Kind, generous, down to earth, and endlessly helpful – how could you not want to come back? 

So, in 2025, I did exactly that. This time I brought friends and family, eager to show my husband not only Whitley Bay’s spectacular coastline, but also the great people behind this event. 

Bridging North and South 

For years, it’s been a bit of a struggle to persuade the southerners to head north for races. Meanwhile, Anna, her friends, and the Northern SUP Race Club crew have always made the journey south – whether for the National Series, UKN1Sco, or just about any SUP race going. They turn up in force, race hard, and have the best time. So really, it feels only right that we return the favour and support their home races too. 

Part of a bigger Festival 

The Big Dippa is more than just a SUP race. It’s a key part of the North Sea Weekender Festival, held over the August Bank Holiday and supported by the Northeast Combined Authority and North Tyneside Council. 

The weekend included races for adults and kids, dragon board races, and beach events. Unfortunately, the forecast had other plans. For safety, the kids’ races were moved onto the beach, and the dragon board event had to be cancelled. The distance and technical races – both part of the National Series – did go ahead, but the distance race was run on a shorter course due to the conditions. 

And what conditions they were! Some paddlers stayed on the beach, a few did not finish, and plenty of us spent much of the race on our knees. This was when the ocean paddlers came into their own. Annabel Page and Hector Jessel handled the swell and surf with real composure. Other strong performances came from Sarah Perkins, Lydia Clifton, James Little, and Paul Drake. 

Distance Race Results: 

• 14’ Ladies: 1. Annabel Page, 2. Susanne Lier, 3. Sarah Perkins 

• 14’ Men’s: 1. Hector Jessel, 2. James Little, 3. Paul Drake 

• Challenge Tour: Men’s Winner – Robert Powell; Ladies Winner – Caroline Hatchell 

• Juniors: Amelia Phyn 

• Starboard Airline Cup: Ladies Winner – Merle Wilson; Men’s Winner – Matthew Taylor 

• 14’ iSUP: Ladies – Alice Stroyan; Men’s – Richard Davidson 

Tech Race Mayhem 

After a short break, it was time for the tech race. Conditions had ramped up – the tide was in, the shore dump was spicy, and two laps of a square course meant two full-on battles through the surf plus a beach run. 

Here, once again, Anni and Hector looked effortless, riding out the chaos with style. But the day’s true hero was Sarah Perkins. Determined to finish her second lap, she fought the surf and rip again and again. Nobody was going to tell her to quit. With the crowd cheering her on, Sarah finally broke through and, once clear, powered her way to the finish. Her grit earned her a rapturous reception on the beach. 

Tech Race Results: 

• Challenge Tour: Robert Powell 

• 14’ iSUP: Richard Davidson 

• 14’ Ladies: 1. Annabel Page, 2. Lynne Hawthorne, 3. Sarah Perkins 

• 14’ Men’s: 1. Hector Jessel, 2. James Little, 3. Alasdair Findlay 

Overall Podiums and Prizes 

The combined distance and tech results decided the overall podiums, with cash prizes for the 14’ hardboard class kindly sponsored by Permatt Fork Lift Trucks Ltd: 

• 14’ Ladies: 1. Annabel Page (£1000), 2. Sarah Perkins (£400), 3. Lynne Hawthorne (£200) 

• 14’ Men’s: 1. Hector Jessel (£1000), 2. James Little (£400), 3. Paul Drake & Alasdair Findlay (£100 each) 

Special recognition goes to Robert Powell (two Challenge Tour races) and Richard Davidson (two 14’ iSUP races) for their consistent efforts. 

Respect to every paddler 

Honestly, every single paddler who lined up at Whitley Bay deserves huge credit. Whether you finished both races, just one, or fought the waves and didn’t quite make it, the effort was immense. It was a tough day and a true test of grit. 

And let’s not forget the spectators. Their cheers from the beach carried us through those punishing surf battles and gave us the strength to keep going. 

Wrapping up 

The Big Dippa once again delivered a weekend of challenge, camaraderie, and celebration. The combination of community spirit, determined paddlers, and stunning Whitley Bay backdrop made it unforgettable. 

We’ve got some fantastic photos from the event — check them out here:  

BIG DIPPA DISTANCE RACE PHOTOS 

BIG DIPPA TECH RACE PHOTOS