In 2023, Brendon Prince, extreme adventurer, water safety & ‘blue mind’ crusader, World Record holder (8 WR to date!), set out to establish an international SUP event in the UK, driven by a simple premise: that young athletes needed a pathway, and the sport needed ambition on home waters.
What followed was a rapid and deliberate progression. The SUPER Championships in 2024 and 2025 provided clear proof of concept – not only in participation and delivery, but in demonstrating that the English Riviera could host events of genuine scale and relevance.
The early vision had been ambitious, and not without scepticism. Yet the Championships, attracting over 250 competitors and support beyond the watersports sector, ultimately showed what was possible.
Now, that trajectory comes full circle. With the backing of Paddle UK and local partners including English Riviera BID Company, Torbay Council and Tor Bay Harbour Authority, that progression has now reached a defining point. The English Riviera has been selected by the International Canoe Federation as a host venue for the SUP World Cup – a historic step that places the UK firmly on the international racing calendar.
From 24 – 28 June 2026, the English Riviera will host the ICF SUP World Cup and SUPER Festival 2026. Set against the turquoise waters and sheltered bays of Torquay and Paignton in the southwest of England, the five-day celebration of stand-up paddleboarding will unite elite athletes, community paddlers, and newcomers eager to experience the sport for the first time.
Thank you having me back on TotalSUP. It is always a pleasure to share what we are building here in the UK and where we believe stand up paddleboarding can go in the future.
The SUPER Festival and the Long Row challenge are actually very connected. On the surface one is a world class SUP festival and the other is an extreme endurance expedition, but both are driven by exactly the same purpose, which is inspiring people to step outside their comfort zone and reconnect with the water in a safe and positive way.
The Long Row challenge will be the world’s first solo row around Britain and Ireland. It is an unsupported attempt covering thousands of kilometres around some of the most challenging coastlines in the world. The mindset behind it is very similar to what we are trying to create through SUPER. It is about resilience, adventure, storytelling, community, and proving that the UK has a deep connection to the ocean and watersports culture. Both projects are also designed to shine a light on water safety and drowning prevention through the charity Above Water.
The moment probably came during my paddle around the UK coastline. I saw first hand just how incredible our coastline is, how passionate the paddling community is, and how underrepresented the UK was on the global SUP stage.
When I attended international events, I kept asking myself why the UK was not hosting something of that scale because we absolutely have the venues, the athletes, and the community.
The confidence came from seeing what happened with the first SUPER Festival. People wanted more than just another race. They wanted atmosphere, connection, entertainment, and a reason to travel with friends and family. Once we saw athletes and brands getting excited about the vision, it stopped feeling impossible and started feeling inevitable.
One of the biggest lessons was that people remember how an event feels just as much as results or prize money. Creating an environment where everyone feels welcome is incredibly important.
We also learned that flexibility is everything. Water sports events are heavily influenced by weather, tides, and changing conditions, so having a calm and adaptable team is vital.
Another major lesson was the importance of local partnerships. Events like this only succeed when local businesses, volunteers, services, athletes, and the wider community all feel ownership of it. The event becomes stronger when it belongs to everyone.
The English Riviera offers something genuinely unique. We have sheltered water, open water, beautiful scenery, and a natural amphitheatre that works brilliantly for spectators and media.
But beyond the location itself, I think the ICF saw ambition. They saw a destination that wanted to fully embrace SUP culture rather than simply host a race weekend.
The English Riviera has a huge opportunity to become recognised internationally as a watersports destination, and I think the passion from the local team, businesses, and community really came through during the conversations.
There are some incredible athletes already booked in, which is exciting because fans will have the opportunity to see world class racing up close in the UK.
Personally though, I get just as excited about the stories behind the athletes. Young paddlers getting inspired for the first time, families trying SUP together, or seeing somebody gain confidence in the water. Those moments stay with people.
We are also developing the festival side much further with live entertainment, talks, community activities, and experiences that make it appealing even if somebody has never stood on a paddleboard before.
Community is everything. Without community, it is simply another sports event. We want the SUPER Festival to feel inclusive and accessible. Whether you are an elite racer, a beginner, a local business owner, a volunteer, or somebody just walking along the seafront, there should be a sense that you are part of something special.
The SUP world has always had a very supportive culture, and it is important we protect that as the sport grows professionally.
For us, an experience means creating memories beyond competition. It means somebody arriving and feeling energy, excitement, music, adventure, and connection. It means great coffee in the morning, inspirational talks during the day, incredible racing on the water, then films, entertainment, and social experiences in the evening.
We want people to spend the entire weekend immersed in SUP culture and coastal lifestyle, rather than just watching a few races and going home.
I want people to feel welcome immediately. I want them to feel inspired, energised, and connected to the ocean. Hopefully when people leave, they are talking about the atmosphere, the friendliness, the setting, and the feeling that this was something genuinely different. Of course we want them talking about the racing too, but more importantly I want them to remember how the event made them feel.
If somebody leaves wanting to spend more time on the water, wanting to try SUP for the first time, or feeling more confident around the sea, then we have achieved something meaningful.
I think it is a major step forward. Hosting a World Cup shows that the UK and PaddleUK is capable of delivering events at the very highest level.
It creates visibility for athletes, opportunities for young paddlers, and confidence for brands and partners to invest in the sport here. It also helps position SUP as a serious sport alongside its lifestyle and wellbeing benefits.
Most importantly, it can inspire the next generation. If young people can stand on the beach in the English Riviera and watch the best paddlers in the world competing in front of them, that has the power to change lives and grow the sport for years to come.
Thank you again Anna, and we look forward to welcoming you and the world to the English Riviera.
*Images courtesy of Brendon Prince and Sarah Thornely / supjunkie.uk
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“We are so excited to welcome Brendon Prince to the Blackfish Team. Brendon is an amazing athlete and someone with a passion and desire to see what’s possible on a paddleboard. We are honoured that he chose to use our paddles when he paddled around the UK and it is great to have him join […]
