SUP the Creek - Tenth Edition

Travelling down to SUP The Creek must have been tinged with sadness for many paddlers, with news that had come out just a few weeks previously, that it would be the last. Waterborn SUP, the organisers of this iconic race, had announced that the time had come for them to close their doors on what had been an incredibly successful local SUP business and race. Crispin Jones, founder of Waterborn, had then been inundated with messages of sadness but also many of help. 

And so it came to pass that during the race briefing on Saturday morning, the great news came out that Waterborn SUP was in the process of being re-formed to run as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, and consequently, next year’s edition of SUP The Creek would also happen. There were cheers from the 200 paddlers competing that day, and quite rightly so. This is ONE of their favourite races, incorporating distance and tech over the weekend with beach sprints added ‘just for fun’. Waterborn is also very good at encouraging everyone to have a go with all race classes receiving prizes and the 1km race, predominantly for kids, but great also for those who have never raced before.

Estuary and ocean racing need caution and consideration when the weather conditions are looking spicy as it had been the week before SUP The Creek was due to take place. Crispin and his team at Waterborn SUP know this area so well, and most times this race has run, but with modifications to the course or timings. 

So Saturday’s distance race on the beautiful estuary in Kingsbridge did go ahead but with a modified course (Plan C if I remember rightly!) – a shortened course for both the 12km and 6km races making them approximately 9.5km and 4.5km and for all paddlers, no paddling away from the more sheltered area so for the 9.5 km paddlers a good challenging 3 loops and a there and back to the finish line. The 4.5 km paddlers just had to concentrate on one big loop, but because of the way the course was designed, we would join in with those on the longer route, with lots of drafting and paddlers heading almost directly towards each other. It certainly made you concentrate! 

I knew that I was not going to miss out on racing the final SUP The Creek, and as distance is not really my thing at the moment, I opted for the short course. Thoughtful planning of start timings meant a fairly calm body of water for us to start on, for which I was grateful. This also meant it was not too busy at the first 180-degree buoy turn in the heart of Kingsbridge before we headed back to the estuary.  I had a cracking start but was caught on the first buoy by Rachel Booton, who has this year qualified for some international competition at the Worlds in Abu Dhabi, together with Crispin. So I was happy to be overtaken by Rachel, but was very determined that no one else would. 

What a great course it was, we headed down the estuary and soon came across the 12km paddlers, the likes of Hector Jessel, Will Keetley, Annie Page, Holly Pye and Marie Buchanan all pushing each other around the course. I’m not sure about others,  but I try never to look back, so I just paddled as hard as I could and took 2^nd place. I then had the joy of being on the water to watch many others finish. 

There was a really close battle between Will and Hector, matching each other around the course and buoy turns but with that little extra push, Will took it pretty much on the line ahead of Hector. Such good racing to watch. Joey Jones from Wales came in with a strong finish for third.

For the ladies, it was Annabel Page all the way. From the moment she left the starting block, she looked like the winner and win she did with over 2 minutes ahead of Holly Pye in second and Alexandra Tyrer-Lomas just behind. Local girl Marie Buchanan was not far behind, having not raced much this year, but clearly spending a huge amount of time on the water stands her in good stead when racing.

Jamie Harman was the only prone paddler at this race and has had a great year – SUP The Creek was no exception.

Other winners were as follows:

1km Junior M – Ted Lawrence, F – Camille Burrows
6km Junior M – Drew Barber, F – Darcy England
6km Leisure M – Steve Dawe, F – Jennifer Moorehouse
6km 14′ Hardboard M – Adrian Philpott, F – Rachel Booton
6km Inflatable M – Mani Ndebele, F – Kerry Ridgeway
12km Leisure M – John Shaw, F – Katie Page
12km 14′ Hardboard M – Will Keetley, F – Annabel Page
12km Inflatable M – Mike Ridsdill Smith, F – Michaela Afford

Full results can be found here: SUP The Creek 2025 – Flatwater Distance Results

The Crabshell Inn, situated right on the estuary, was the host for the prizegiving, and yes, it was a lengthy one but worthy. Many bottles of Salcombe Gin were handed out – this local Gin company were one of the main sponsors.

Sunday’s tech and sprint comps were swapped around in the hope that conditions would be suitable for both, so with sprints in the morning, we mooched down to watch, as we had decided it was not for us! The conditions were incredibly tricky, with swell and a howling wind making the out-and-back course with a beach start almost impossible for some. Even those like Holly and Will looked to be struggling. It was really tough, and we applaud those who stood on that very windy start line and battled those conditions! Holly and Will both took the wins – great stuff from them both.

Conditions were supposed to be settling, but it soon became apparent that that was not the case, and it was with a heavy heart that Crispin called the tech race off. He knew there would only be a handful of paddlers able to compete in the challenging conditions, and the safety crew would have their work cut out. One of those difficult decisions that sometimes has to be made by a Race Director.

So tucked in Bo’s Beach Cafe, the last prize giving of the day took place. It was now the turn of the Series winners for the GBSUP National Series, and there were some really great results and some very happy paddlers.

Full results can be found here: Black Project x GBSUP National Series 2025 Series Winners

Saying goodbye now didn’t seem as sad as it could have been – we know we are coming back, we know Waterborn CIC Hub will grow strong and stay true to its roots. We were lucky enough to grab a quick interview with Crispin, and you can watch that here: Interview with Crispin Jones/Waterborn SUP

It’s always a happy experience taking part in SUP The Creek, and you can view all of our images here: SUP The Creek Distance Race 2025 – SUPjunkie images

We look forward to seeing you all next year, at the 11^th SUP The Creek – the date will be released soon, please keep an eye on our social media channels!

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