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The ICF SUP World Cup is set to take place in the UK later this month, with Torbay, Devon hosting the event as part of Paddle UK's SUPER Festival from June 24-28. The event marks a significant moment for British stand up paddling, bringing an official International Canoe Federation SUP World Cup to UK waters for the first time. Athletes will compete across Sprint, Technical and Distance disciplines, while the wider festival will also feature participation events, coaching opportunities and activities designed to engage paddlers of all ages and abilities.
While much of the attention will naturally focus on the racing, the event also raises some interesting questions for the UK SUP community.
Can events like this help raise the profile of stand up paddling in Britain? Will hosting international competition inspire more people to get involved in the sport? And what does a successful SUP event look like in the UK in 2026?
The SUPER Festival aims to be more than just a race weekend, combining elite competition with community participation and opportunities for paddlers to connect with brands, coaches and fellow enthusiasts.
As the event approaches, it will be interesting to see how the UK paddling community responds. International events have long been viewed as an important part of growing a sport, but attracting athletes, spectators and wider public attention remains a challenge faced by many paddle sports around the world.
Whatever your perspective, it’s encouraging to see a major international SUP event taking place on home waters.
Will you be attending the ICF SUP World Cup and SUPER Festival? What would you like to see events like this bring to the UK SUP scene? Let us know in the comments below.
