What is SUP Racing

If you are participating in AquaPaddle, you may well be ‘racing’ without even knowing it! 

If you are keen to participate with others, push yourselves against them and are interested in your finish time, then you probably are halfway there. 

Do you like Parkrun – a timed event? Have a thought about why you take part in that too. I always think whatever the sport is, be it paddling or running, if there is a time at the end of it, I’m racing! 

If you are intrigued watch this video produced by Simon Hutchinson from SUPfm Podcast and I for Paddle UK – it’s been used to encourage paddlers to take part in the SUPer Festival event happening in Torquay 24-28^th June.  

Once you’ve watched it and have an inkling of itchy feet and hands and find yourself wondering how you would get on, you might like to enter a race or keep paddling with the AquaPaddle crew. 

One such event that is worth looking at is the SUPer Festival taking part from 24-28^th June 2026 in Torquay. It is part of a bigger picture, the ICF SUP World Cup – the Festival is like the baby brother of the World Cup and has something for everyone – it is also incredible value – between £30 and £40 for all 4 races, sprint, tech, distance and SUP1000, where the event hopes to get a World Record of over 1000 paddlers on the water. If you are a member of Paddle UK or any other NGB, you get a 25% discount, taking it to £30.  

If you are brave enough to step up to the World Cup races, and are willing to enter the Open class, there is 9,000 Euros on offer for prize money spread over the 3 disciplines and split equally between men and women. 

AquaPaddle will be there in force too, supporting the event and all paddlers – we’d love to see you there. All the information and entry details are here:  SUPer Festival / ICF SUP World Cup information and entry 

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