The Eliminator -Year 2 takes place on Saturday, 11 July in Derby, United Kingdom. Organised by Greg Wingo and Cassie Salter – the masterminds behind Last Paddler Standing and Race to the Castle – the event returns with an endurance-focused format built around consistency, strategy and sustained performance.
Recognised as the world’s only dedicated team SUP race, The Eliminator is designed around two-person teams competing lap by lap, with pressure increasing as the race unfolds. Success demands speed, resilience, smart pacing, and tactical awareness.
New for Year 2, solo paddlers can compete in the early stages, earning the opportunity to qualify for the later team finals.
The Eliminator race rules
This is a race built on endurance and consistency. Teams of two compete lap by lap, with pressure increasing as the day unfolds.
1.Team race rules
Team Composition & Categories
Each team consists of two paddlers.
Teams must enter one of the following categories:
Male / Male
Female / Female
Mixed (Male / Female)
Teams compete for both category victory and the overall Eliminator title.
Race Format
The race consists of 24 laps over 12 hours.
Each lap is 2.5 km – If the weather conditions dictate, a shorter route will be in place to allow for the 28min timed cutoff.
Each lap has a 2 minute warning period to prepare for the start of the next lap.
Only one paddler per team is on the water per lap.
Teammates alternate laps throughout the race.
Each paddler is assigned either:
Top-of-the-hour laps, or Bottom-of-the-hour laps
Once assigned, paddling order is fixed unless changed using a wildcard.
Time Limits & Elimination
Each lap must be completed within 28 minutes.
If either paddler fails to meet the time limit, the entire team is eliminated.
From Lap 13 onwards, the slowest finishing team in each category (that is still within the time limit) is eliminated every lap until there are two teams left or the final which takes place on lap 22
New for Year 2: Life line card
Each team has one Life Line, usable once during Laps 1–12 only.
If your partner is late returning from a lap and your team is at risk of missing the start, you may play the Life Line.
Playing the Life Line allows the available partner to start their lap at their normal scheduled time, even if the other paddler has not returned yet.
You must complete your lap within the 28min or you will be eliminated.
Life Line can only be used once per team and cannot be combined with wildcards.
Wildcards
Each team receives two wildcards.
A wildcard allows teams to swap paddling order (hour / half-hour start).
Wildcards must be declared before the 2-minute warning of the relevant lap.
No other changes to paddling order are permitted.
Re-Entry Lottery
After Lap 17, eliminated teams get a shot at redemption – one team per category will return to fight for the win of their category. This will be a lottery draw.
Only teams that have stayed in the race the entire time will be eligible for the overall race win.
Re-entered teams resume racing under standard rules.
Team Finals
Lap 22 marks the Team Category Finals.
The last remaining team in each category is crowned:
Male / Male Champions
Female / Female Champions
Mixed Champions
If multiple teams remain at Lap 22, the fastest finishing teams are crowned category winners.
Category winners continue racing for the overall win.
2.Solo category
Solo paddlers race within the same event, under the same pressure and time limits as teams.
Solo Entry
Solo paddlers enter as either:
Solo Male
Solo Female
Solo paddlers race every lap themselves until eliminated
Solo paddlers do not receive wildcards.
Solo paddlers are not eligible for the re-entry lottery.
Solo Life Line (NEW)
Each solo paddler receives one Life Line card.
The Life Line can be used once before the start of the elimination rounds (up to an including lap 12)
To use it, the paddler must present the Life Line before the 2-minute whistle warning of their scheduled lap.
For solo paddlers, using the Life Line allows the paddler to skip that lap and rest while remaining in the competition.
Life Line cannot be used more than once and cannot be combined with other advantages.
Solo Elimination & Final
Solo paddlers are subject to the same 28-minute time limit.
From Lap 13 onwards, solo paddlers are eliminated in line with all other categories.
Lap 16 is the Solo Final
At Lap 16:
Solo Male 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places are confirmed
Solo Female 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places are confirmed
Solo Male and Solo Female Winners are crowned
Solo-to-Team Pairing
After Lap 16, remaining solo paddlers are paired to form new teams:
Solo Male 1st + Solo Female 1st → Mixed Team
Solo Female 2nd + Solo Female 3rd → Female / Female Team#
Solo Male 2nd + Solo Male 3rd → Male / Male Team
These newly formed teams:
Enter the race at Lap 18
Compete under standard team rules
Receive one wildcard
Are eligible for eliminations, category wins, and the overall title
If fewer than three solo paddlers remain in a category, only valid pairings will be formed.
3.Winning the race
Category Champions: The first team in each category to complete lap 22 wins the category. All other teams are eliminated.
The race continues until Lap 24 or until all but one team is eliminated. The slowest team in each lap is eliminated.
Overall Winners: Conquer all 24 laps and be in the run to claim the ultimate title!
This is winner-take-all regardless of category. The overall race winner is the last team standing or the fastest finisher of the final lap.
4.Other rules
PFD mandatory
Leash mandatory at all times
All paddlers must be over 18 years old.
All competitors must carry water or liquid hydration on each lap.
Each competitor must carry their cell phone.
No other items are allowed on water, including food, headphones, music, etc.
Drafting: Open Draft “If you can catch it, you can have it” Competitors are allowed to draft but may not physically impede the process of another competitor.
Kneeling Paddling: You are permitted to take up-to 5 strokes at the start of each lap to come to standing. You must then complete each lap standing. You may stop, rest on your knees, during the lap, but you can not make forward progress paddling on your knees, bum, tum etc.
Boards: Competitors may only use one board per racer (2 boards per team) and must use the same board throughout the duration of the race. You cannot switch boards, even with your teammate. Racers may use different paddles or fins, but must use only their one board. So choose your board wisely!
Race Directors reserve the right to remove any competitors for any reason at any time.
Availability
20 teams per category. So start hustling your partner NOW.
Race Format
3.Winning the race