Race to the Jungle 2026: Cassie Salter expands her long-distance SUP vision to Thailand

For those looking to expand their SUP and racing experience, registrations have just opened for an exciting event. Created by Cassie Salter – founder and coach at SUP Fitness: Wellbeing & Adventure and the mastermind behind Race to the Castle — she now adds Race to the Jungle, held on 12-13 December, to her roster. Inspired by the proven UK-born race format that blends community, racing spirit, and long-distance challenge into one powerful experience, this new chapter builds on a tested foundation.

Now, that philosophy goes further. Bringing the spirit of endurance, connection, and shared adventure beyond the UK, “Thailand marks the perfect next evolution,” as Cassie states – a new destination that stays true to the event’s core values while opening the door to fresh waters and an even wider paddling community.

Hi Cassie, welcome back to TotalSUP! What sparked the idea for Race to the Jungle, and why Thailand as the next evolution of Race to the Castle (R2TC)?

Race to the Jungle came quite naturally. Race to the Castle has never been just about the race itself, it’s about the journey, the environment you’re moving through, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than just a start line and a finish line. Seeing how deeply paddlers connected with that concept made me start thinking about where else that same sense of adventure could exist.

Thailand felt like the perfect next evolution. It offers a completely different backdrop, tropical, wild, and colourful, but it still delivers that thrilling, point-to-point journey that defines Race to the Castle. Jungle rivers, heat, culture, wildlife… it instantly feels like an adventure.

At the same time, we’re very aware that travelling for an event can feel daunting, so Race to the Jungle is also about removing that stress. We take care of the logistics, transfers, planning, and support — all the faff, so paddlers can arrive, feel looked after, and focus on enjoying the experience.

It’s taking the Race to the Castle philosophy and placing it somewhere that feels exciting, welcoming, and unforgettable.

You’ve described it as the “tropical cousin” of R2TC – what elements did you feel had to stay the same to keep that DNA intact?

First and foremost, it had to remain a journey. That A-to-B format. The sense of moving from one point to another and earning the finish line, is at the heart of Race to the Castle, and it’s exactly the same with Race to the Jungle. The main downriver race captures that fully, while the 12km lake race adds a different kind of challenge and reward. After all, you’re all the way over in Thailand, we wanted paddlers to experience the best scenery, enjoy a technical course, and ease into the weekend with something a little shorter but still memorable.

We also wanted another spectacular finish line. If #R2TC gives you a castle, then #R2TJ lets you cross under the iconic bridge over the River Kwai. A finish that feels as epic, memorable, and photogenic as the journey itself.
Equally important is the crew and the support. We pride ourselves on wrapping our arms around paddlers and welcoming them into the organisation. People are supported, celebrated, and everything is taken care of behind the scenes. Whether you’re racing at the front or paddling for a personal goal, you should feel equally valued and looked after. That level of care, safety, and attention to detail had to travel with us to Thailand.

Community. Our events are never just races; they’re weekends. They’re about socialising, reconnecting with friends, bringing family along, and sharing stories once the paddling is done. That’s why the after-race atmosphere is so important to us. In Thailand, our central hub will be the Royal River Kwai Hotel, where paddlers can gather, relax, and celebrate together. The difference is, of course, the setting, post-race Pina Coladas instead of pints, tropical evenings, and maybe even authentic Thai massages to ease aching muscles.

The scenery may be different, and the temperature definitely is, but the soul of the event stays the same. Race to the Jungle is still about adventure, community, care, and creating memories, just with palm trees, jungle rivers, and a cocktail at the finish line.

How did the partnership with SUP Hire Thailand come together, and what does local expertise add to the experience?

The partnership with SUP Hire Thailand has been central to bringing Race to the Jungle to life. Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked closely with their team, beginning with our first adventure holiday in December. It was during that trip in Kanchanaburi, paddling, exploring, and running the experience together, that we realised the potential to create something special.

By combining our experience in race organisation, safety, and event delivery with SUP Hire Thailand’s local knowledge, everything clicked. They know the River Kwai and the surrounding area inside out. From river conditions and logistics to culture, regulations, and safety. That expertise allows the entire experience to run smoothly behind the scenes. Their professionalism means paddlers can focus fully on the adventure, confident that every aspect of the course has been carefully thought through.

That shared vision naturally evolved into Race to the Jungle: a race designed to be open and accessible to all paddlers, whether someone is chasing a podium finish or an unforgettable jungle adventure. We’ve now taken that collaboration a step further with a five-year plan covering both Race to the Jungle and our adventure holidays, giving us the chance to build something long-term and sustainable, an event paddlers can return to year after year.
The local expertise adds authenticity, confidence, and reassurance. Paddlers aren’t just arriving in a foreign country, they’re guided by people who know the river intimately and care deeply about delivering a safe, smooth, and memorable experience.

The River Kwai and jungle setting are a big shift from the UK – how does the environment change the feel of the race?

The environment completely transforms the experience. In the UK, Race to the Castle has that historic, rolling countryside feel, with castles and villages as landmarks. On the River Kwai, it’s lush jungle, flowing rivers, and vibrant wildlife everywhere you look. It feels wilder, more immersive, and a little more remote, even though paddlers are incredibly well supported.

The river itself is dam-controlled, which adds an interesting dynamic. From our experience during the adventure holiday last December, the flow can vary between 6 km/h and 10 km/h — so paddlers can enjoy stretches of fast, fun floating as well as sections that require more technique and control. The course will also be fully marshalled, with local experts on the river providing guidance and safety cover, ensuring paddlers feel secure throughout. And for those lucky enough, there’s even the chance to spot elephants around the famous Elephant Corner, an unforgettable wildlife moment that you won’t find in the UK!

The technical 12km event takes place on a lake surrounded by magnificent scenery, offering a different kind of challenge and visual reward. These variations in flow, terrain, and wildlife make the race engaging, dynamic, and truly one-of-a-kind.

What should athletes expect from paddling in tropical conditions?

Paddling in tropical conditions adds a whole new layer of adventure, and that’s part of the magic. Expect warm air, lush surroundings, and a river that feels alive beneath your board. Heat and humidity do introduce new variables, so hydration, pacing, and listening to your body become even more important, but it’s all very manageable with the right mindset and support.

The River Kwai offers a brilliant mix of fast, flowing sections where you can settle into a rhythm and let the river do some of the work, alongside more technical stretches that reward control, focus, and smart paddling. The 12km lake race brings something different, still flat water, big mountain views, and an incredibly satisfying experience, giving paddlers the chance to dial in their technique while soaking up the scenery.

The entire course will be fully marshalled by local experts, so paddlers can relax into the experience knowing support and safety are always close at hand. And if you glance up at just the right moment, you might even spot elephants along the route, a surreal reminder that this is as much an adventure as it is a race.

Having run our adventure holiday in December, we know exactly how to set things up so paddlers of all experience levels can thrive in these conditions. For many, paddling in the tropics becomes an empowering experience, discovering how adaptable they are, how capable their bodies can be, and just how rewarding it feels to race through such a dynamic and unforgettable environment.

The weekend includes a 38km downriver race, a 12km technical race, and an optional 7-day adventure holiday – who is this event designed for?

Race to the Jungle combines the thrill of racing with the magic of adventure, a weekend designed to challenge, inspire, and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

The 38km downriver race offers a fast-flowing, epic journey through stunning jungle scenery, while the 12km technical race delivers a sharp, focused challenge that tests skill, strategy, and speed. Every section of the course keeps paddlers engaged, with moments to push hard, ride the river, and simply enjoy the joy of being on the water. It’s racing at its most exhilarating, but with every detail handled so you can focus entirely on the experience.
From start to finish, everything is taken care of: support, safety, logistics, guidance, and even the little things that make traveling to a new country feel overwhelming. We know overseas events can feel daunting, but with Race to the Jungle, you just show up, paddle, and immerse yourself, everything else is covered.

For the second year, we are hosting a 7-day adventure holiday, with the SUP Hire Thailand Team, open to paddlers of all abilities. You don’t need to take part in the race to join this standalone paddle experience. Taking place before the race weekend, the holiday includes daily paddles, guided tours, and expert local support, all designed to help you fully enjoy the adventure. Over the course of the week, paddlers explore the River Kwai region, including the race routes and beyond, combining stunning jungle scenery, cultural experiences, and immersive adventures.

This is a chance to relax, discover, and immerse yourself in the jungle while building confidence on the water. It’s also a fantastic way to acclimatise ahead of the weekend events. Our event is truly inclusive: whether chasing a podium or chasing the adventure, there’s a place for you.

7.For those new to long-distance SUP, what makes this race approachable yet still rewarding?

Approachability comes down to support, structure, and planning. We know exactly how to remove uncertainty, from transfers and logistics to on-water safety and guidance. Paddlers know where to be, what to expect, and that there’s a supportive and knowledgeable team looking out for them at every stage.

The 38km downriver distance is challenging but very achievable. Thanks to the River Kwai’s dam-controlled flow, there are stretches where the current carries you along, making it manageable even for paddlers newer to long distances. The race is fully categorised for everyone, whether you want to push hard and race competitively, or take it at a more leisurely, adventure-focused pace. With some training beforehand, most paddlers will find the journey rewarding rather than overwhelming.

Completing the race offers that incredible sense of accomplishment, whether you’re chasing a result or simply soaking in the adventure. That combination of achievable distance, flexible pacing options, supportive organisation, and a dynamic, flowing river is what makes Race to the Jungle both approachable and memorable.

8.How important is community to you when building events like this, especially in a new country?

Community is everything. From the beginning, our events have been about connection, support, and shared experiences. That ethos carried straight into Thailand. We want paddlers to feel welcomed and included, not just as participants, but as part of a larger community.

The social elements, central hub, shared meals, and after-parties are crucial. At Race to the Castle, we’ve seen incredible friendships form over the years, people who met on the water become lifelong paddling buddies. During our adventure holiday in Thailand in December, we witnessed that same magic happening again: paddlers celebrating each other’s achievements, sharing stories, and laughing together after a day on the water. In Thailand, we’ve amplified that: imagine catching up over a cocktail, relaxing with a Thai massage, and soaking in the tropical evenings under the stars. That sense of togetherness is just as important as the racing itself.

Community isn’t just about the paddlers, though, it’s also about the organisers. Collaboration is hugely important to me: working alongside great people in Thailand, combining our skills, ideas, and energy, creating magic together is what motivates me. And yes, it sometimes means negotiating tricky time zones and coffee-fueled calls, late night catch ups, but we couldn’t do this without our partners in Thailand, and their dedication makes everything possible.
Bringing months of planning and collaboration to life on the water, that shared achievement and sense of purpose, is as rewarding as watching paddlers cross the finish line.

That collective spirt….between paddlers, crew, and partners, is at the heart of everything we build.

If you had to sum up Race to the Jungle in one sentence – what would you say?

“Race to the Jungle is an adventure-led paddle event where community, support, and unforgettable journeys come together, set against the backdrop of jungle rivers, stunning scenery, and a well-earned tropical finish.”

Register for the event here.

To find out more about the race, visit racetothejungle.com

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