Torquay

The brand‑new pop‑up AquaPaddle centre will be splendidly located on the golden sands of Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay, in the heart of the English Riviera. Nestled just below the historic Torre Abbey and adjacent to the lush Abbey Meadows, paddlers will enjoy panoramic sea views and easy access to the mild south‑west waters of Tor Bay. This pop‑up forms a striking part of the Super Festival weekend of stand‑up paddleboarding, bringing high‑energy SUP races, water‑polo, fun “rock up & race” sprints and elite distance events right to this celebrated shoreline (englishriviera.co.uk).

The local flora is distinctly Mediterranean in character: Torbay palms, bay bushes (Laurus nobilis), cabbage trees and exotic perennials thrive in the warm microclimate. Native seabirds swoop overhead and around the headland you may spot gulls, terns or even offshore dolphins glimpsed from boats and kayaks. On the shoreline and grassy Abbey Meadows above, wildflowers and coastal grasses sway in sea breezes, providing habitat to butterflies and small birds drawn to the flowers and reeds.

This weekend will burst with watersports activity: SUP racing in multiple formats (150 m sprint, 3 km technical, 14 km distance), SUP polo matches, coached demonstrations, guided family paddles and kayak and canoe taster sessions. AquaPaddle’s friendly Crew will be running the AquaPaddle Event for every level—from novice paddlers enjoying open water to experienced paddlers pushing pace in timed races (superchampionships.com). Although Super Festival is primarily focused on stand-up paddleboarding, the pop-up AquaPaddle warmly welcomes all types of paddle craft—including kayaks, canoes, and prone boards—so everyone can take part in the fun.