Venus Riders Family SUP Championship 2011

It's FREE to enter and is open to everyone aged 8 and above.  Best of all, anyone can take part, even those who have never tried SUP before.  All equipment will be provided for competitors free of charge.

Everyone who enters and finishes the course will be entered into a free prize draw where there are top prizes to be won, courtesy of our event sponsors*.

It's a great way for families to spend the day together with a bit of family competitiveness thrown in for good measure.  Alternatively, bring your friends or come along on your own.

What Is SUP?

Stand up paddle boarding, or SUP for short, is one of the best sports for people of all ages and abilities - you stand on top of a long board and glide across the surface of the water using a long paddle.

Unlike surfing, SUP can be practised almost anywhere there is water, meaning it is ideally suited to the family-friendly coast and estuaries of beautiful South Devon.

How Do I Compete?

To compete in the Championship, contestants must complete a 100 metre SUP course at Blackpool Sands. 

Mixed-age qualifying heats will run daily from 10 am on Saturday 2nd June, Sunday 3rd June and Monday 4th June.  The winners of the qualifying heats will then be entered into the finals day on Tuesday 5th June, where three SUP Champions will be crowned in the following age groups: 8-12 years, 13-16 years and 17+ years.

How Do I Enter? 

To secure your place in the daily heats, visit the event registration point on the beach by 9:30am. Places are limited so arrive early to guarantee your place.

All equipment is provided free of charge.

What Happens After My Heat? 

Once competitors have completed their heat, they will find out whether they have made it through to the grand final day on Tuesday 5th June.

All entrants will be entered into a free prize draw* to win some fantastic prizes from the event sponsors such as a £400 holiday cottage voucher from Helpful Holidays.  The draw will take place after the grand final on Tuesday 5th June.

The Finals

The winners of the qualifying heats will compete again on Tuesday 5th June.  The finals day will start at 10am with registration from 9:30am.

This time, competitors will compete against contestants of the same age: 8-12 years, 13-16 years and 17+ years.  The top three contestants in each heat will progress to the semi-finals and, if successful, the finals, where the Venus Riders Family SUP Champions will be crowned and receive their winning trophy.

Don't forget to bring along all your family and friends to cheer you on to victory!

The 'National' Event

The Summer Sizzler Stand Up Paddleboarding Race Series will be held at Blackpool Sands on Saturday 2nd June.  The event, organised by John Hibbard, runner-up of the 'Men's Surf' category in the Extreme Academy/British Stand Up Paddle Association Series 2010, is for those experienced in SUP.  Why not come along to watch whilst enjoying a full English breakfast at the Venus Cafe - the event starts at 10am?

Venus Riders SUP Tuition and Hire

Once you've tried SUP, we're sure you'll want to do it again and again.  To improve your technique or to simply practise before the finals why not book some SUP lessons with Venus Riders?  To book or for more information, please call Matz Ginman-Trout on 07540 589150 or email venusriders@lovingthebeach.co.uk.

The Venus Riders Family SUP Championship is set to be one of the best days out this Spring bank holiday.  So what are you waiting for?  Get together with your friends or family and head down to Blackpool Sands between 2-5 June 2012 for what's sure to be an action-packed, fun-filled day on the beach!

For a selection of photographs from the 2010 championships, visit Image Search and click on the Venus Riders Watersports tab.

Event Sponsors: