What is SUP Racing?

SUP has blossomed in popularity, you just have to look at most bodies of water to see people enjoying this super accessible watersport, but did you know that long before it was a recreational activity SUP started out as a competitive sport?

Its humble beginnings started out in places like Hawaii and California with a vibrant race scene, before extending out to Europe. It hit the shores of the UK in about 2006 with the first National Championships taking place in 2008. Today we can enjoy everything from friendly team races to ultra endurance challenges.

The SUP Racing Scene

Types of Races

1. Sprint Races: These are short and intense, typically cover 200 metres and can be run on flat water or on the ocean. The ocean sprints usually see competitors run into the sea sometimes in the surf, jump on their board, race to a buoy, turn and head back to shore, they are fun and fast.
2. Technical Races: These can be anything from 1-5km, these races usually include lots of buoy turns and sometimes beach runs if held on the ocean. Inland races can see you cover multiple laps and sometimes include a super lap format. These races are all about skill, technique and tactics.
3. Long Distance Races: Long distance races can range from 10km up to roughly 25km and are usually an out and back style, but they also have point to point races, sometimes even laps. The ICF distance races could potentially go up to 35km, understanding pacing and endurance nutrition are helpful for these types of races.
4. Ultra Distance: For those who love a challenge there are some amazing ultra distance races both here in the UK and around the globe, the distances these races can cover are huge, everything from 35km right up to the legendary Yukon 1000 which is 1000km from Canada to Alaska. These can be held over a number of days and there's even a race that tests how many laps you can do in 12 hours or one that runs until only 1 paddler is left paddling! Get ready to earn your cake and make friends for life.
5. Downwind Races: These are for super experienced racers and see competitors go out into the ocean to ride the ocean swell from one point to another, we have some in the UK but you can find lots across the water in Europe.

Where can you access races?

Aqua Paddle: These can be found all round the UK and are free timed 5km routes that you can complete at your own pace, are multi-craft and include SUP. Technically not a race but it's a great place to start to get fitter and faster, they are like Park Run for SUP. They are a charity who aim to help people's mental wellbeing and physical health. Find out more.

Regional Races or Club Events: All around the UK SUP clubs are running regional races with some offering short summer/winter series to others offering junior or sprint days. These are a great place to start meeting your friendly local clubs and dipping your toe into the more competitive side. Some offer training sessions weekly, while others travel around the UK as a club to take part in some of the sup challenges. To find a club and event near you, click 'get involved'.

National Series: GB SUP is the National Series and host a series of races throughout the summer months, with venues stretching from the tip of Cornwall to the North East coast They have competitive racing but also offer a beginner friendly challenge category, so you can get frontside seats to watch some of the UK's top paddlers, without having to ‘race'. They also run junior races and these are usually free to enter. They also run stand alone events where a National Champion or Sprint Champion can be crowned. Find out more.

European Racing: Europe has a huge SUP race scene, from the Euro Tour run over summer to the newly established ECA SUP European Championships, with a host of stand alone races all over from inland to ocean, from Denmark to Spain SUP racing is active all over Europe.

World Championships: SUP is so good it has two world championships one called the ISA (International Surfing Association) which you can only enter by selection and tends to lean towards ocean based racing (but not always) and one called the ICF (international Canoe Federation), the wonderful thing about the ICF World Championships is that it is open to everyone no matter age or ability so you can be new to the sport and rub shoulders with the world's best. Find out more.

Skills Needed for SUP Racing

As you develop as a racer you get to learn some really cool skills and some like balance can be transferred off the water as well. Below are some of the areas you can expect to get better at as you progress:

1. Paddling technique: Your paddle technique is a key skill to help you progress as a racer and is often overlooked. Learning to make the most of your ‘catch' driving through your ‘power phase' is essential to efficient paddling.
2. Balance and stability: You will develop improved core and leg strength, your balance will improve as you move from flatwater to choppier conditions perhaps even ocean swell.
3. Endurance and fitness: You'll develop increased cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance as well as developing the mental resilience needed for long-distance or ultra races.
4. Water reading skills: You'll learn to understand currents, waves, and wind patterns, and develop an ability to choose the best line through the water to take advantage and get ahead of your competitors.
5. Race strategy: You'll learn drafting techniques, pacing for different race distances, and tactical decision-making during races and how to fuel yourself to make sure you can keep going until the end.
6. Navigation: You'll develop course reading and planning, and learn to adapt to changing conditions during a race
7. Rough water handling: You'll learn navigating waves and wakes, and develop stability in choppy conditions
8. Sprint power: You'll develop explosive strength for short races or finishes

Consistent practice and gradual progression are key to improving as a SUP racer, you can always find one of our SUP Race or Performance Coaches to help you on your SUP journey and don't be afraid to start with beginner-friendly races and work your way up as you gain experience and confidence.

So, whether you're looking to push your paddling skills to the next level, meet new people, or just add a bit of excitement to your SUP experience, SUP racing could be just what you're looking for.

Hit the Get Involved button above and enter your postcode to find your nearest club, or simply ask PaddleBot below for a SUP Racing club near your area.