The Big Dippa 2025

Whitley Bay’s beloved SUP event, The Big Dippa, joined the Black Project x GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series as Round 6 on 23 August 2025. Held at Whitley Bay Beach (Northerly Swell on Watt’s Slope, NE26 1BQ), it marked a defining moment for SUP racing in the UK’s North East, enhancing local pride and national visibility.

In a landmark achievement, The Big Dippa 2025 offered the largest prize purse in UK SUP history—£1,600 total, with £1,000 for 1st place, £400 for 2nd, and £200 for 3rd.

This boosted stakes attracted top-tier paddlers, including:

Annabel Page – UK’s No. 1 female racer
Susanne Lier – Fuerteventura-based elite
Hector Jessal & James Little – seasoned international competitors

Festival Atmosphere & Inclusive Racing

Organiser Anna Little (Northern SUP Race Club) envisioned The Big Dippa as more than just a race—it’s a vibrant community festival. She recalled the event’s roots in the North East and highlighted its growth since 2022, calling it a “bank holiday fixture” in many calendars.

Spectators and participants alike enjoyed live music, street food, and a friendly beachside bar, all set against Whitley Bay’s iconic backdrop—complete with golden sands and the Spanish City dome.

Racing Formats for All Ages & Abilities

The event featured multiple race formats tailored to different skill levels:

Distance Races: Main adult races (~5–6 km) along the shoreline toward St Mary’s Lighthouse; shorter 2.5 km route for Challenge Tour newcomers
Technical Races: ~1.5 km courses with buoy turns and beach runs, typically three laps
Sprint Races: Intense 100 m paddles following a beach run
Kids’ Races: Distance (~1–2 km), tech (~500 m), and sprints (~100 m)—with combined results for podium placements; all junior competitors had to wear buoyancy aids

Participating fleets included 14′ hardboard, 14′ iSUP (including Starboard Airline Cup), prone paddlers, juniors, Challenge Tour, novice categories, and an adult novice 1 km option

The event was brought to life by a passionate team:

Anna Little (Event Director, Northern SUP Race Club)
Scott Warren (GBSUP Race Director)
Mark Ward (Northerly Swell, Race Location & Host)
Red Seals — on-water safety cover

Local stakeholders—North Tyneside Combined Authority, North Tyneside Council, and sponsors such as Permatt Fork Trucks (title sponsor for the distance race), Succorfish LTD, Biomate, Tyne Valley Wind & Solar, and Starboard—provided infrastructure, promotion, and prizes—vital to the event’s festive and competitive spirit

Overall Podium Finishers – Distance Race (Approx. 6 km)

Men’s Category

1st place: Hector Jessel — used his lifeguard-honed rip tactics and sea knowledge to dominate the challenging surf.
2nd place: James Little — demonstrated sharp skills navigating inner breakers.
3rd place: Paul Drake — secured his spot after a time penalty was issued to Ally Findlay of Glasgow for repeatedly paddling on his knees.

Women’s Category