The English Riviera came alive over the weekend of 6–7 September 2025 as the SUPERFestival brought stand-up paddleboarding action to the heart of Torquay with Sprint races and SUP Polo, alongside social events.
Held inside Torquay’s Inner Harbour, the event provided a spectacular arena for racing, with crowds gathering along the harbour walls to cheer on paddlers. The sheltered waters created near-perfect conditions, turning the harbour into a vibrant showcase for the sport.
One of the standout highlights was the sprint racing, where athletes went head-to-head in fast and furious heats. Competitors raced across the water and battled it, delivering edge-of-the-seat excitement for both participants and spectators. The sprint format proved to be a huge success and a crowd favourite.
Adding to the variety, the One Design events drew plenty of interest by putting all competitors on identical boards. This levelled the playing field and highlighted pure paddling skill, giving newcomers and seasoned racers alike a fair shot at the podium. Alongside this, the technical racing tested athletes with tight buoy turns and multiple laps, demanding strategy and precision in front of an enthusiastic harbour-side crowd. Both formats offered nail-biting action and showed just how versatile SUP racing can be.
The weekend also embraced the wider paddling community with the AquaPaddle 5K, an inclusive, non-competitive paddle open to all craft. It brought families, newcomers, and leisure paddlers onto the water in a supportive, welcoming environment—underlining the festival’s spirit of accessibility and fun.
The festival schedule also featured SUP Polo, which quickly became one of the most entertaining parts of the weekend. Teams battled it out in this dynamic, fast-paced game played entirely on boards inside the harbour. The lively matches drew plenty of laughs and cheers, cementing SUP Polo as a festival favourite.
Unfortunately, not all events could go ahead as planned. Due to a lightning forecast, organisers made the difficult decision to cancel the distance races for safety reasons. While disappointing for long-distance competitors, safety came first, and the remainder of the programme ensured the festival’s spirit remained strong.
Despite the weather disruptions, SUPERFestival 2025 was a resounding success—building momentum towards Torbay’s ambitious goal of hosting the ICF SUP World Cup in 2026. The weekend showcased the growing popularity of SUP in the UK, combining high-level competition with community fun, and proving that Torquay is more than ready to host the world’s best next year.
Image credit: Sarah Thornley (SUPJunkie.uk)