WORDS AND PHOTOS:
SARAH THORNELY
Sarah Thornely
Bio
After SUP racing for five years, Sarah turned her attention to running SUPjunkie, covering UK and worldwide races through live feeds and interviews.
Why the English Riviera will matter this summer
From 24-28 June 2026, Devon’s coastline will host the Paddle UK SUPER Festival and the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Cup, the largest event of its kind ever staged in the UK. https://superfestival.paddleuk.org.uk
For a sport that has grown quickly, this feels like a big moment. Not just for elite racing, but for participation, visibility, and the way SUP presents itself to a wider audience.
This is not a single race weekend. It is five days of competition, open activity, and structured access to this sport. Around 200 of the world’s top athletes will race in sprint, technical, and distance formats. They will share the water – and the stage – with hundreds of other paddlers. Many of these paddlers are entering something like this for the first time.
A different kind of major event
In most sports, the ‘World Cup’ implies separation. Professionals compete, and spectators watch. SUP doesn’t work like that, and the SUPER Festival model is leaning into this. Alongside elite races, community paddles, open-entry events, workshops, and taster sessions run throughout the week.
So, what if you are on the edge of taking part? What if you have been watching this sport and are beginning to feel like you can step into it? This event aims to close that gap by encouraging participation from all.
Why this location works
Torbay – covering Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham – is not a random choice. The bay’s natural shape creates relatively calm, sheltered water. It is supported by a local microclimate that is more forgiving than much of the UK coastline. For elite racing, that means consistency. For newcomers, it hopefully means conditions that will encourage you to participate safely.
The English Riviera has also become a steady centre for UK SUP in recent years, with infrastructure, local support, and a community that already understands the sport. Put simply, this venue allows both ends of the sport to operate simultaneously.
“This is your front row seat to world-class action, where the coastline comes alive with energy, colour and the sound of thousands cheering from the shore.”
Brendon Prince – Event Director 2026 ICF SUP World Cup: English Riviera
The schedule
The first two days focus on registration, training opportunities, the opening ceremony, and junior activities. By Friday, the event shifts into full race mode, starting with sprint racing. Technical races follow, then longer-distance formats, and a planned mass-participation paddle attempt on the final day.
Off the water, the programme is showcasing equipment, coaching, informal sessions, and social events throughout the weekend. One of the huge draws will be the SUP Polo event on Saturday, always popular with the crowds, a fast-and-furious game of skill and fun! Watch SUP Polo here!
It’s structured so that no single discipline dominates the week. Whether you are racing or not, you will still have a reason to be there.
A milestone in SUP history
This event is being positioned as a milestone for British paddlesport. It is the first time the International Canoe Federation has staged a SUP World Cup in the UK. It follows the formal recognition of Paddle UK as the governing body for the discipline in 2023.
Our sport is moving into a more structured phase. There are clearer pathways, recognised competition formats, and a stronger connection to the international calendar. This will shape how our sport develops in the future.
Who should be paying attention
If you’re already competing, International and UK paddlers, you have defined race formats and a chance to test yourself against a higher standard.
If you’re not, you CAN enter a race. You CAN join a group paddle. You CAN spend a day around the event and leave with a clearer sense of where you fit in the sport. These kinds of events are still relatively rare in the UK, so don’t wait for that more ‘convenient’ moment, as you may miss out. You can also volunteer – visit the website for full volunteer details and instructions on signing up.
What you will get from entering
You will get structured racing in a safe environment. There is exposure to better paddlers in the same space. You will have access to coaching, equipment, and knowledge from those with more experience than yourself. Or, you can pass your knowledge on to those with less experience!
With just a month and a half to go, a fixed date will force you to prepare. Even if your goal is not high performance, spending more time on the water beforehand will improve your paddling.
Brendon says, “This is more than a race, it is your chance to test yourself on an international stage, push your limits and be part of something that will stay with you long after you leave the water.”
The wider effect
Events like this influence local participation. They create new entry points for people who were previously watching from a distance. The SUPER Festival is also designed as a multi-year project, not a one-off. That suggests continuity and a huge legacy for our sport. It is an opportunity to make this a recurring fixture on the UK paddling calendar.
Simple decisions
If you are considering entering, don’t worry about being fully ready – most people aren’t. Instead, ask yourself if this is the kind of environment you’d like to experience. Register at https://superfestival.paddleuk.org.uk/booking/super-festival-2026.
Events of this scale do not often occur in accessible locations with open pathways to participation and a structure that accommodates participants at different levels simultaneously.
The SUPER Festival does just that, and in a sport that is still young and growing, being involved will certainly matter more than watching it afterwards.
And the last word from Brendon, “Expect a festival of ocean sport, where racing, community and the spirit of the English Riviera come together to create something truly unforgettable.”
We look forward to seeing you all there.
