Will Keetley tops GBSUP Stop #1 – Next races revealed

Photo by Si Crowther

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 to be a new edge to today’s young SUP athletes – they’re fiercer and bolder than ever, not just in their training, but in how they strategically select and tackle events to test the field and gain valuable experience. As his local SUP scene continues to accelerate and mature through GBSUP, it’s not only fostering a strong SUP culture in the UK but also serving as a launchpad for global competition.

TotalSUP caught up with Will just after his home win, and he’s already gearing up for the next challenge: the Llandegfedd Pursuit in Wales, 17–18 May.

Hi Will, welcome to TotalSUP! Congratulations on smashing the 1st stop of GBSUP series! How did you first get into stand-up paddleboarding?

Hi Anna, thanks for the opportunity! I first got into paddle boarding with Waterborn SUP in my home town of Kingsbridge. There’s a strong sense of community at Waterborn SUP school and club events have a good turnout.

I first started racing at club races and later competed in the iconic UK race – SUP the Creek which is hosted by Crispin Jones at Waterborn. Crispin really helped to encourage me into racing at a young age helping to train me in my first years of paddling and giving me a job at the school.

Photo by Amanda Roberts, P3T Photography

You’ve grown up with GBSUP – how has the UK SUP scene evolved since you first started competing?

My first year competing with GBSUP was 2021. It was pretty soon after the COVID-19  restrictions in the UK were lifted. When I did my first race there was a good turnout but I was the only Junior, so I raced in the Men’s division which was an eye opener, showing me the UK standard and allowing me to see how I placed my first time racing nationally.

The next race I did in 2021 was Carbis Bay where I met my good friend Hector Jessel, another UK Junior, who was much faster than me at the time. Since then, the Junior scene in the UK has grown massively thanks to GBSUP and there’s many more people racing, which is brilliant.

What role do you think events like GBSUP play in shaping the future of the sport in Britain?

GBSUP plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the sport in the UK. In the 2022 season they teamed up with the APP World Tour to allow two of the top paddlers to compete on the world stage which really helped to increase the level of paddling among the top UK paddlers competing for those spots.

They also have an inclusive Challenge Tour which is perfect for people who are just getting into racing. This season GB SUP have really stepped up their game making the series very professional. I think some other race circuits could really take a couple ideas from GBSUP on how it’s run as they do a very good job!

Image source: The Head of the Dart SUP Challenge

There’s a new wave of talent and changes in the scene – how are you finding this new direction for UK SUP?

It’s great having some top paddlers living in the UK. Hector and Blue Ewer are both very talented which is great for UK SUP and also for me living near them as it allows me to train and get stronger with them.

You’ve been venturing into international competitions lately – what have been your biggest takeaways from racing abroad, and what elements would you love to see brought back to the UK scene?

Last month I raced with the APP World Tour at the IndiaPaddle Festival. I had such a good time – the organisers and locals were so friendly and welcoming, I loved it! The event was so inclusive for all ages which is something UK races tend to do quite well already. The technical sprint race was so fun. I would love to see more technical ocean racing added to the UK series with a wider variety of ocean conditions.

Image source: The EuroTour

What are your top GBSUP events and what makes them stand out for you? Do you have a favourite race moment or memory tied to one of those events?

My favourite GBSUP event would have to be my home race SUP the Creek Kingsbridge run by Waterborn SUP. It’s in my backyard and it has ocean and flat water racing -hopefully we get waves this year! My favourite GB SUP memory however would be Falmouth in 2023. We had perfect 2ft race board waves for the sprints and technical races – it was amazing, and I managed to qualify to represent Team England later that year at the Euros.

Any “must-do” GBSUP race you’d recommend to someone just stepping into the competitive scene?

Two must-do races I would recommend would be Falmouth National Championships and SUP the Creek as they are both brilliant two-day events with mixed conditions so there’s something for everyone.

Can you tell us more about your gear setup? You’re riding with Infinity and Black Project SUP – What drew you to Infinity boards and Black Project paddles – was it performance, feel, or something else?

I’ve ridden for Black Project for quite a few years now. Chris Freeman has supported me since I began racing on the GBSUP scene. The paddles and fins obviously are amazing – I love the performance and design that goes into every piece of kit. Not only that, but Chris also provides amazing support to all his athletes and possibly the best customer service ever!

Photo by Si Crowther

Infinity has also been supporting me the last three years. I’ve always loved their boards and the ethos behind the brand is not just about results, it’s about having fun, and I love the surf background. Dave Boehne from Infinity has been really helping me recently with not only boards but also when I visited the States and raced with him there. I’m really excited to see where the new Infinity x Black Project collaboration goes. I love the Infinity Synergy paddle!

What are your SUP plans? Are you aiming to hit every stop on the GBSUP tour this season – including the Nationals?

This year my main focus is the GBSUP National Championships in Falmouth. I would like to attend the ICF Worlds and some other international events in September and October, if I can, as well as most of the GBSUP events which are great fun to attend.

Thank you for your time Will – Looking forward to crossing SUP paths on the GBSUP race circuit!

Photo by Amanda Roberts, P3T Photography

GBSUP 2025 Calendar:

17 May, GBSUP National Series, Llandegfed Pursuit, Pontypool, Wales; Including AquaPaddle

7-8 June, 2025 British National Championships | Falmouth Bay Open

28 June, Battle of the Bay, Christchurch; Including AquaPaddle

6 July, Beadnell Bay, Northumberland

19 July, Liverpool Docks; Including AquaPaddle

23 August, Big Dippa, Whitley Bay; Including AquaPaddle

18 October, SUP the Creek, Salcombe; Including AquaPaddle

To find out more about the GBSUP National Race Series, visit gbsup.co.uk

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Follow Will Keetley on Instagram 

*Images courtesy of Will Keetley