Think Ultra Endurance events are not for you? Think again! 

As you paddle about on your reasonably priced inflatable, have you ever considered the thought of entering any kind of SUP race? Over the last few years, many thousands of people have taken up stand up paddleboarding and I see this as a huge positive, regardless of what type of board you are on. I’m even more delighted when they take part in an AquaPaddle event because I am hopeful that they may find that they are ever so slightly competitive.  

Imagine taking that step one stage further and possibly further still. Ultra Endurance events, like Last Paddler Standing, may be something you have never really heard of, but it should make you sit up and listen! It’s a unique event and compulsive viewing and I have been thoroughly invested in it from the outset and watched countless hours – the highs, the lows, the drama, the love and finally, the finish – it’s been emotional at times, but that is the joy of Ultra Endurance. 

If you’ve never heard of this event, here’s the format from the LPS website:  

Last Paddler Standing is an endurance SUP race taking place in Florida. Unlike any other paddling race in the world, Last Paddler Standing is a sup racing competition of stamina and strategy. Racers will paddle a 3.33-mile loop course, starting and finishing the loop within a one-hour period. The next loop will begin on the hour, and the race goes until only one paddler is left standing. At the 48-hour mark, the length of the loop will be increased to 4.9 miles. Do you have what it takes to be the Last Paddler Standing, one of the most-watched sup races of the year? 

So, when you first hear and understand what Last Paddler Standing is about, it can sound like something only for the superhuman – an ultra-endurance event where paddlers keep going lap after lap until only one person remains. But that’s not the whole story. The beauty of this event is that you don’t need to aim for being that last paddler or even think about lasting through the night. Just 3, 4 or 5 laps can be enough to give you the most incredible experience. 

From the very first lap, you’re part of something bigger than yourself. The buzz on the start line, the smiles and encouragement from fellow paddlers, the feeling of being on the water together – it’s special. Between laps, or even on the water, you may find yourself chatting with people of all levels, swapping stories, laughing, and realising that this isn’t just a race. It’s a community. 

Every loop you complete is an achievement worth celebrating. You might surprise yourself, or you might stop exactly where you planned to, but either way, you’ll leave with a sense of pride. The format – paddling each lap within the hour, resting, then heading back out -teaches you so much about pacing, resilience, and even the power of simply showing up. It’s not about how far you go, but how much you grow along the way. 

What I love about Last Paddler Standing is that it strips away the pressure. It’s not all or nothing. Whether you manage a handful of laps or keep pushing for more, the experience is just as valuable. You’ll learn new things about yourself, make new friends, and share moments that remind you why you fell in love with paddleboarding in the first place. 

I am really excited to be part of the Media Team for the 2025 race and cannot wait to be in Florida and part of the wonderful community that is Last Paddler Standing. If you are at all interested in entering this year’s event and would like help with kit or a support team on the ground, rest assured the Race Director, Greg Wingo, will do everything in his power to make it work for you. You just need to pop him (or us) a message. 

So, if you’re sitting on the fence, wondering whether this event is “for you,” let me say this: it absolutely is. Sign up, give it a go, and paddle as far as feels right for you. You don’t need to be the last paddler standing to be part of something truly extraordinary. 

You can find out all you need to know here: Last Paddler Standing Website 

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