I recently spoke to Brendon Prince about the SUP English Riviera Championships, known as “SUPERCHAMPS”, a new and exciting event being held on the English Riviera at the end of September. Brendon is really excited to introduce this groundbreaking event that promises to redefine the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, kicking off a journey to bring international SUP events to the UK.
Big picture focus
So, what’s all the fuss about? We have many, many great races in the UK but Brendon is looking at the bigger picture, one which will not just include this new and exciting race in 2024, but also future annual events with exciting additions planned such as the bid for the World SUP Grand Prix in three years time, and the World SUP Championships five years from now. The dates for each year's event will be carefully chosen to maximize participation and community engagement.
Stunning location
As an ex-SUP racer and lover of all disciplines of our sport, this new event has excited me from Day 1. Being held on the stunning English Riviera, Torbay will serve as the backdrop for SUPERCHAMPS. Known for its beautiful coastline and rich maritime history, Torbay offers the perfect environment for an international SUP competition. The 10-year plan Brendon is building ensures that Torbay will host this event for the first five years, allowing Brendon and his team to build strong commercial partnerships and promote the region as a top SUP destination. After this, the SUPERCHAMPS may tour the UK, visiting our best coastal environments for SUP racing.
Open to all
SUPERCHAMPS is an inclusive event open to everyone, from elite athletes to first-time competitors. This championship invites participants of all ages and skill levels to engage in the thrill of competitive paddling, creating a community where everyone feels welcome and encouraged to participate, regardless of their experience.
Multiple race formats
SUPERCHAMPS will feature a packed schedule of thrilling SUP events, from fun races for newcomers to competitive sprints and distance races for seasoned paddlers. There will even be a SUP water polo competition! Events feature multiple races over the three days, including fun formats like 'one design' (and if you hold fond and fun memories of the infamous UK N1SCO events, it’s worth coming just for this!) and 25m sprints for newcomers, adaptive, junior races as well as standard race formats such as 150m straight line sprints, 3km technical races, and a 14km distance race.
Brian Johncey and members of The Real Blue Chip SUPer Club will be running and competing in the SUP Polo and are masters of not only the sport but also encouraging absolute beginners to join in all the fun and learn new skills! The SUP water polo competition is a fabulous spectator event and will be happening all day on Saturday.
Mike Smith from SUP Planet Earth will also be on hand to encourage and organise the youngsters in their races. We all know we need new young paddlers to grow the sport, and this could be the perfect opportunity to introduce or hone skills!
Meet Brendon, the creater of SUPERCHAMPS
I asked Brendon about the mission of SUPERCHAMPS, and he emphasised three key areas.
"To promote the sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding: By bringing the world's best competition to GB & NI waters, we aim to increase participation in competitive paddling, which will benefit the health and happiness of all involved."
"To promote UK & Torbay: Through the 10-year plan, we intend to highlight Torbay, the English Riviera, as a premier SUP destination. By maintaining the event in the same location for the first five years, we can engage commercial partners for the greater good of the sport and competition."
"To promote water safety and drowning prevention: We are committed to modelling safe practices when in, on, or around water. We will support the charity Above Water to teach school-age children about water safety and promote 'blue space' activities, enhancing public awareness and safety."
Brendon is also delighted to have been able to partner with PaddleUK, the governing body for SUP in England, to help achieve this mission together, and are committed to making SUPERCHAMPS a weekend of SUP racing on par with any championships held anywhere in the world!
Sponsorship opportunities
I also asked Brendon how we can all make this event successful, whether from a paddleboarder or business perspective:
“This is more than just a competition—it's a chance to showcase Stand Up Paddle boarding as an inclusive, sustainable growing sport. By sponsoring or partnering with SUPERCHAMPS, your business can play a vital role in the success of this event."
Benefits of sponsorship:
Community Impact: Support a vibrant event that boosts local tourism and community spirit.
Brand Exposure: Gain visibility for your brand among participants, spectators, and media coverage.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Show your commitment to community and sports development with imaginative CSR initiatives.
Join us!
Brendon continues:
"Whether you’re an individual, an organisation, or a business, your support can make a huge difference. Let’s work together to create an unforgettable event and pave the way for future world-class SUP competitions in the UK. Interested? Get in touch to explore volunteering, sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Together, we can make SUPERCHAMPS a shining success!"
SUPERCHAMPS 2024 event details
So, when is SUPERCHAMPS happening and how can you get involved? The inaugural event is taking place from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September 2024, kicking off the decade-long vision for SUP development in the region. You can find out everything you need to know, how to enter, volunteer, or sponsor on the website here https://superchampionships.com
We can tell from chatting to Brendon that this isn't just another competition—it's a mission-driven initiative designed to promote health, happiness, safety, and the vibrant community of Torbay, on the English Riviera.
We’d love it if you could join us for an end of summer day trip, or two or three day mini-break, to support this wonderful new event – whether you are a complete beginner or elite racer, there will be something for you and you will be made to feel completely welcome by Brendon and his team.
Really looking forward to this, going to be an exciting weekend!