SUP X marks the spot

Words: Tony Marsh
Photos: Tony Marsh,
Eaglesnest Photography
and Anthony Ing

Tony Marsh from standuppaddleboarduk.com gives us a brief description of SUP-X in the UK. Not sure? Then read on to find out more.

Find out more

Contact http://standuppaddleboarduk.com or find the White Water SUP UK or Nottingham White Water SUP Facebook groups: www.facebook.com/nottswwsup/

SUP X marks the spot

Some of the joy of SUP is its variety. The sport means many different things to many different people. Some people take to the waves or take on expeditions in far flung places. Others enjoy the thrill of racing or just playing out on the water. After all there is nothing half as much worth doing as simply messing about in boats (or on boards). Then there are the ones who take on the challenge of the river and when that isn’t enough, spice things up with SUP-X (SUP Cross).

The brain-child of Mark Price from Saltwalk SUP, Anthony Ing and Barry Hughes (Desperate Measures and Nottingham Whitewater SUP), SUP-X is a mass start whitewater race following a set course, often including a number of action gates such as tapping a target with a blade. The events are run with a number of heats to sort out finalists, who then do battle for the crown.

Mile End Mill, Llangollen

The weekend of 14-15th July 2018 saw paddlers from across the country descend on Mile End Mill, Llangollen for the Welsh Whitewater SUP Fest and the Welsh round of the SUP-X race series hosted by Stand Up Paddle Board UK and Anthony Ing.

The event was attended by a mix of paddlers, some of whom had never tried moving water on a board before but had heard of the event and wanted to give it a go. Thankfully the nerves soon settled as the more experienced paddlers offered a warm welcome and plenty of support.

Saturday started with a workshop titled, ‘Speed is Your Friend’. Using dry land and wet drills Anthony explained how the right stroke at the right time and with the right amount of power and pressure through the feet could see you safely through river features. There then followed a tour of the course and an open practice session putting those new skills into use.

Four paddlers in a heat

As the afternoon started so did the SUP-X event. Four paddlers in a heat, all running the same course at the same time through the main drops, eddies and across the current to an upstream finish at the beach. It soon became clear that anything could and would happen and those who looked like favourites would often be overtaken as the flow got the better of them. What made the event special was not only the cheers from the bank but the cheers from the other boarders on (and often in) the water with you.

The competition format ensured that every paddler competed in numerous runs as competitors got knocked out through the heats and the finalists determined. The grand final was a close run event with paddlers giving their all to try and win the day.

Live music

The grand final wasn’t the end of the day though. Once dry and recovered, a barbecue and live music from The Cazadors moved the camaraderie off the river to the campsite, as the podium places were announced.

The men’s competition saw Anthony Ing take first, with Will Evans second. Third place was Doug Jardine. In the ladies event, Katie Simmons was first, second place was Emma Cornes and third place Nicky Marsh. An inspiration award was presented to Dave Cardwell who proved to all that SUP is for everyone.

Sunday saw paddlers take on a descent of the Dee from Horseshoe Falls to Mill End Mill. The sun shone as the group negotiated the rapids of Chain Bridge and Serpents Tail. Dean Jeffries running a series of successful laps through Serpents was something to behold and drew the admiration of the kayakers and canoeists also tackling that rapid.

It was an amazing weekend for paddlers and spectators alike, and I would like to thank the organisers, Palm Equipment and Water Kills Academy for sponsoring the event and the White Water SUP UK community for all they did.