Photo by Amanda Roberts, P3T Photography
The SUP scene is in for some serious stoke as the GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series is revving up with four back-to-back weekend events, bringing high-octane SUP competition to every corner of the UK! From coastlines and historic city docks to purpose-built watersport venues, this action-packed series has it all.
Dubbed the GBSUP Summer Slam, this four-weekend series kicking off tomorrow (Saturday, 28 June in Christchurch, Dorset), creates a friendly, welcoming battleground for elite athletes and newcomers alike, shines a spotlight on junior paddlers, and features AquaPaddle sessions with 5km race formats to help SUP enthusiasts transition into the competitive side of the sport.
The organisers have also announced the return of the fan-favourite Beadnell Belta event hosted by the Northern SUP Race Club. With dedicated junior and novice categories and demo zones featuring the latest gear from leading brands, there’s something for every paddler to enjoy.
This Summer Slam is more than just a four-race series – it marks the exciting first step in GBSUP’s bold new strategy. As they invite everyone to Join the Future of SUP Racing, GBSUP is doubling down on their commitment to delivering thrilling, accessible, and community-driven events across the UK.
As GBSUP puts it: “We’re building a pathway for every paddler, from their very first strokes to standing on a national podium.”
AquaPaddle will be present at Battle of the Bay, offering a fantastic opportunity for newcomers and seasoned paddlers alike to experience the community spirit. https://www.gbsup.co.uk/event-details/national-series-rd3-battle-of-the-bay-hosted-by-baysup
A dynamic mix of coastal technical racing and sprints. Expect thrilling racing with potential beach starts/finishes and a challenging technical course!
Race formats: Technical, Distance, and Sprint races. Expect thrilling racing with potential beach starts/finishes and a challenging technical course.
Race categories:
 Find out more and register >Â
Photo by Amanda Roberts, P3T Photography
Race format: Flat water Sprint race
Race categories:
Race format: Flat water Long Distance race
Saturday, 19 July: The AquaPaddle event will take place as part of the festival, providing a relaxed and welcoming entry point to the water. Find out more and register >Â
As GBSUP gears up for the thrilling final stretch of the season, they’re heading back to the Northeast — and to celebrate, they’re offering a special discounted ticket package for two standout events: the Beadnell Belta and The Big Dippa. It’s a unique opportunity to race at two spectacular northern venues — for less. Find out more and grab the deal >Â
Photo by Amanda Roberts, P3T Photography
22 Sep 2025
As with any realm in life, we don’t arrive untouched. Stepping into sport is no different: we carry our stories, our motivations, our ambitions, and sometimes the things we hope to leave behind. The paths that lead us into sport may differ, but they share a common thread: finding a safe space and the opportunity […]
17 Sep 2025
Whoever has attempted the transition from recreational SUP to racing has faced their own set of reservations, I know I had plenty, with simply showing up at the start line being my biggest. Therefore there’s something truly inspiring about paddlers who just go for it: showing up, competing and paddling their hearts out, turning the […]
4 Sep 2025
At just 25, Swansea paddler Joey Jones has carved out one of the fastest progressions in the UK SUP racing scene. Training largely on his own, Joey went all-in on the GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series – using it as both a springboard and a learning curve – and through consistency he’s turned that commitment […]
27 Aug 2025
For Francisco Miguel Carvalho (aka The Man), 46, former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete turned SUP racer from Windsor, stand-up paddleboarding is more than a sport – it’s a lifeline. In just four years, he has transitioned from curious beginner to a familiar face on the UK race circuits, navigating the same highs and lows that define […]
31 Jul 2025
What started as a paddle over a decade ago, down the River Tyne, quickly turned into a passion and then a mission. For Anna Little, former PE teacher turned pro racer, Coach and Founder of the Big Dippa, stand-up paddleboarding has always been about more than just the sport itself. It’s about family, community and […]
30 Jun 2025
We love a good shake-up in the SUP world – and the GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series Championships – Falmouth Bay Open, held in Cornwall, UK, at the beginning of June, serving as the qualifier for the World Championships, didn’t disappoint. The spotlight definitely shone on 14-year-old Selwyn Pritchard from Makkum, the Netherlands. Selwyn, the […]
14 May 2025
Will Keetley, the 20 year old standout racer from Kingsbridge, Devon (UK) repping Black Project and Infinity, has steadily grown in the GBSUP National Race Series spotlight – climbing the ranks, learning the ropes, and now showing a real appetite for high-level competition. Will’s path reflects the growing shift in the SUP world. There seems […]
7 May 2025
In stand-up paddleboarding, it’s often the crossover athletes – the ones who blend wave instincts, raw endurance and refined technique – who tend to make the biggest impact. At just 20 years old, Devon’s Annabel Page has become one of the most talked-about names in British SUP racing. A former competitive surfer with podium finishes […]
12 Apr 2025
GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series , designed to bring together the UK SUP racing community across a range of disciplines and ability levels, promoting both competitive and inclusive participation, has reached another exciting milestone. GBSUP has announced a new collaboration with AquaPaddle, a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting physical and mental well-being through paddle sports, to […]
