Monthly Round-up of SUP / August 2025

Welcome to our collection of the biggest news and stories that have taken place in the SUP world from the previous month. Let's recap what happened in August 2025.

Vortex Crossing - Charlie Head

Charlie Head is on an epic solo paddle from Shetland to Orkney—117 km of open sea, believed to be the first of its kind! Beyond the challenge, he’s raising awareness for ocean protection and mental health, proving endurance can make waves both on and off the water.

Charlie Head, the British endurance paddleboarder, has recently embarked on an ambitious solo expedition known as the “Vortex Crossing.” This challenge involves paddling from the north coast of Scotland to the Faroe Islands, aiming to cover a distance of approximately 150–180 km over open sea.

Unfortunately, severe weather conditions have forced the cancellation of this crossing. In response, Charlie has redirected his focus to another formidable challenge: a solo, unsupported paddleboard journey from Lerwick in the Shetland Islands to Sanday Island in Orkney. This unbroken 117 km route is believed to be the first of its kind.

Throughout his endeavors, Charlie continues to raise awareness for ocean protection and mental health, supporting causes such as Sea Shepherd Global and Dare2Express. His journey underscores the profound connection between personal endurance challenges and broader environmental and social issues.

Exploring Your Coastline by Public Transport - David Haze

Paddleboarder David Haze explored Dorset’s coastline entirely by bus in August! Using his inflatable SUP, he’s showing how easy—and eco-friendly—it is to reach beaches without a car.

World-record-holding paddleboarder David Haze embarked on a unique adventure this summer: exploring Dorset’s stunning coastline entirely by bus. In collaboration with Morebus, Haze aimed to demonstrate the accessibility and environmental benefits of using public transport for coastal adventures.

Armed with an inflatable paddleboard that fits into a regular hiking backpack, Haze visited both popular spots like Sandbanks and Bournemouth Pier, as well as quieter areas around Christchurch and Poole. His goal was to highlight how easy it is to reach these locations without relying on a car.

The initiative is part of Morebus’s ‘More Fun’ campaign, which encourages people to use buses for leisure activities, not just commuting. The Morebus app assisted Haze in planning his routes and tracking his carbon savings along the way.

GWA WINGFOIL WORLD TOUR - SLALOM AND FREESTYLE

The 37th edition of the GWA Wingfoil World Cup delivered a double dose of action at Playa Sotavento as both the FreeFly‑Slalom and Surf‑Freestyle disciplines reached their thrilling conclusions.

FreeFly‑Slalom: Suardíaz and Cappuzzo Dominate

Across three days of racing in shifting winds, the FreeFly‑Slalom event proved decisive with no discards in the 2025 rankings. Every result mattered—and the top contenders delivered.

Women’s Final
Spain’s Nia Suardíaz, defending her world title, rode a tactically brilliant race, overtaking early leader Kylie Belloeuvre through the pump section and accelerating to the win. Belloeuvre took second, followed by Mar de Arce (ESP) and Viola Lippitsch (AUT).

Men’s Final
Italy’s Francesco Cappuzzo led from start to finish, showing sharp lines and consistent pace. Bastien Escofet and Julien Rattotti (both FRA) rounded out the podium, while Riccardo Zorzi (ITA) finished fourth after strong performances throughout the event.

Earlier rounds saw fierce competition with standout rides from the likes of Gollito Estredo and Tiki Teixeira, highlighting the global depth of the fleet.

Surf‑Freestyle: MacDonald and Schlittenbauer Make Their Mark

In the Surf‑Freestyle division, Chris MacDonald (USA) and Marie Schlittenbauer (GER) emerged victorious after delivering the highest-scoring and most technical performances of the event.

MacDonald, already the reigning world champion, dominated with fluid combos and high trick difficulty, securing his win in commanding fashion. Schlittenbauer, a relative newcomer, wowed judges and fans with tight execution and rising consistency, clinching her first major tour victory.