Monthly Round-up of SUP / February 2023

SUP TWELVE is coming to Torbay, UK on 1st April 2023. The event runs for 12 hours from 7 am until 7pm with a very simple objective… who can paddle the most laps in 12 hours?

SUP TWELVE takes place on coastal water, over a course of approximately 3.5 km, all paddlers start at 7am and every lap of the course will be professionally timed & recorded.  If at the end of 12 hours there are a number of paddlers on the same amount of completed laps then it becomes a race to see who finishes that last lap first to become the SUP TWELVE Champion. No categories for board, gender or age, just you against the TWELVE hours!

NO eating is allowed on the board, only in the paddlers rest area so paddlers will have to take ‘time out’ of the race to ‘pit stop’ and refuel.  You can stop and rest at any time and for as long as you want in the paddlers rest area so tactics will play a big part of your race.

The 3.5km course has been designed to give maximum visibility to the supporter and greatest interest for the paddler for such a short course.  Repeating laps, time and time again, forces the paddler to ‘dig deep’ if they want to champion the 12 hours.  The course, more so than the time will challenge the paddlers resolve and mental strength to keep paddling when it would be so so easy to stop and rest.

British Canoeing has been formally recognised as a National Governing Body for Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) after receiving confirmation from Sport England.

It is the first time that Sport England has given ‘recognition status’ to two governing bodies in different sports for a single discipline. Surfing England is also a recognised governing body for SUP and these organisations will work alongside one another to ensure positive and safe environments for all stand-up paddlers, regardless of where they take part in the sport.

Discussions between British Canoeing and Surfing England, who will continue to be recognised for surf-related SUP activities, have led to several key focus areas being identified in a memorandum of understanding, including;

• Creating a joint authority to provide governance and development for SUP in England
• Evidence-based safety messaging for the SUP community, working with manufacturers, retailers and stakeholders to promote messaging
• Regulated standards for those coaching and leading SUP activity
• Codes of practice for SUP providers including hire, clubs and commercial operators
• A clear pathway for talent including establishing a framework for competitions that supports the development of athletes and coaches

With recognition now confirmed, British Canoeing will be looking to meet with key stakeholders, to enhance relationships and build collaborative partnerships for the benefit of the SUP community and recreational paddlers who enjoy Stand Up Paddleboarding.