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The 9 Most Exciting Paddleboard Races In The World
Written by Lydia Burdett /
There are all kinds of amazing SUP events across the globe available for paddleboarding enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels to attend. At Red, we’re especially fond of paddleboard races as they offer the opportunity to put your skills to the test, get competitive, and spend time with the like-minded SUP community. But what are some of our favourites? Let’s take a look at Red’s top 9 most exciting SUP races in the world.
Norfolk Broads Ultra
Heading up our list of the top paddleboard races in the world is the Norfolk Broads Ultra - a tough 70 km paddle event in the picturesque Norfolk Broads that can be completed in a variety of ways. You can opt to take it over two separate days if you prefer, and can choose to do it solo, as a team or in a relay. This is a great challenge for seasoned paddlers and the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your setup and SUP racing accessories to get a competitive advantage.
Championnats de France
The annual paddleboard races of the Championnats de France are held in stunning locales each year and bring in top talent from across the country. This year, the Championnats de France 2024 will be held on the beautiful waters of Veillat Beach in Saint-Raphaël, with the event format switching from two separate inland and ocean events to a 4-day frenzy covering multiple disciplines. The races will be streamed live for all to see, but if you’re planning on going one step further and attending yourself then make sure to check out our guide to taking your board abroad.
The GlaGla Race
France certainly knows a thing or two about SUP racing, as it’s also home to the epic annual GlaGla Race. This hugely popular multi-day event takes place in the winter and is held at the spectacular Lake Annecy. Hundreds of paddlers from all over the world take part, braving freezing conditions whilst surrounded by the stunning mountainous backdrop. There are two race categories - a 6km short course and a long distance 15km event - and both bring together a likeminded community with a mixture of both experienced and beginner racers.
Head of the Dart
One of the most celebrated paddleboard races in the UK is the Head of the Dart Challenge - and a firm favourite of the team here at Red! The Head of the Dart is actually the UK’s largest SUP event, seeing over 250 contestants gather in the south-west each year for a 14 km race along the River Dart. There are medals and celebrations for all, with both race and leisure fleet options available depending on your paddling ability. Red is proud to be long-time sponsor of this awesome paddleboard race event, and our team is already excited for next year after the success of the recent race!
Czech SUP and PARASUP Championship
The Czech SUP and PARASUP Championship is one of the must-see SUP races in 2024, being held in Hluboká nad Vltavou. It highlights the diverse range of ways you can embrace paddleboarding and be part of the SUP community, with a wide variety of paddleboard races taking place including long-distance and sprint events.
Planet Baltic SUP Race
Another great event taking place further afield in Europe is the Planet Baltic SUP Races. Being held in Kolobrzeg, Poland, and shaping up to be a great weekend of competitive paddleboarding fun, the seventh Planet Baltic event will comprise long-distance, sprint and technical paddleboard races. There’s an event for everybody, so keep an eye out for this race taking place in early August this year.
Belgium Technical Race Championship
The Belgium Technical Race Championship at Saint-Idesbald promises to be an exciting event for SUP enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. The race is part of the larger collection of Belgian SUP Tour events, with other exciting paddleboard races taking place across Belgium.
ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championships
We can’t make a list of the most exciting paddleboarding race events in the world without mentioning the biggest of them all: the World Champions. This year, the ISA World Championships are going to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark. The top paddleboarding talent across the world will be gathering this September for a whole week, battling it out across a range of team and individual races to be crowned the best in the world. France won the title last year - but will they be able to do it again?
SUPFEST
Rounding out our list is SUPFEST, a relaxing event for all things SUP held each year in the beautiful vistas of the Lake District. Whether it’s fierce competition with elite paddlers or a more amateur-level jaunt that you’re looking for, you’re sure to find paddleboarding races that are perfectly suited for you in some of the UK’s most picturesque waterways. A trip to this laidback, weekend-long festival is also a great way to get a taste of all of the delights that paddleboarding in the Lake District has to offer so stay tuned for dates and tickets for next year’s event.
Attending any of these exciting paddleboard races is sure to be an epic experience for paddlers of all stripes, and who knows - at some of these you might just see us there! If you have any questions about SUP racing or want to explore our epic range of racing paddleboards and make your way to the start line in style, don’t hesitate to get in contact with our expert team for advice.
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