Jake Portwood 10

The 2026 edition of Race to the Castle (R2TC) has wrapped, with the Kings & Queens of the river crowned after a demanding 40km journey from Nottingham to Newark. In the 14 ft board division, Starboard UK rider Paul “PJ” Simmons and Karis Parker—defending her title and representing the Frangipani SUP Team – set the […]

The upcoming 2026 ICF SUP Junior International Cup, taking place in Bascov, Romania, from 19 – 21 June, promises to be one of the most prominent showcases of young international SUP talent. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Budeasa Regatta Course – one of the best-equipped canoeing venues in Eastern Europe – the stage is set for […]

If there’s one SUP athlete to ask whether our sport has truly carved out its identity among other water and board sports, it’s Michael Booth – a name that carries both weight and integrity. A multiple World SUP Champion, elite waterman, Starboard Dream Team rider, coach, entrepreneur, and member of the ICF SUP Advisory Committee […]

“We’re not building a board for pros – we’re building a board for serious paddlers who are tired of riding something that holds them back.” That bold statement sets the tone for Honu, the Australian brand born on the shores of Bondi Beach, built on clarity of vision, sustainability, quality and consistency. In 2019, Honu […]

In our last interview, what struck me most was something Rylee Walker, endurance paddler and Cystic Fibrosis advocate, said: “One of the biggest challenges I continue to face is the constant question: ‘Is what I’m doing enough?” It’s a question many of us grapple with – it can either unsettle us and make us fold […]

As the week heats up and the inaugural European SUP League (ESL) stop is about to kick off, we caught up with Maria Laura Metta – one of the founding members and advisors of SUP Academy Taranto, hosts of the European SUP League (ESL) Stop #2 in Taranto, Italy. A 23-year-old from Taranto, Maria Laura […]

As the SUP racing season draws to a close – or just before it begins – curiosity builds around the athletes followed so closely: where they go, how they train, and what fills the space between competitions. The Polar Bear Chronicles lifts the lid, offering a glimpse into that world beyond the start line. TotalSUP […]

With ultra-endurance and adventure paddlers, what interests us most is digging deeper  – in hope of uncovering the core why. The pull towards untouched places, the level of difficulty, the solitude and the cause that drives these challenges – whether environmental activism, specific charity or something more personal. David Haze – aka Nomadic Paddler – […]

Serendipity… it plays a big role in writing about this sport. Each discipline uncovers riders that stay with you – something strikes a chord and you find yourself following their progression without ever having met them in person. It speaks to the diversity of SUP, to the range of characters that shape its culture – […]