We're the best coastal resort for water sports in the UK

This is a very bold headline! A headline that mirrors the aspirations of Torbay Council and its marketing of ‘The Torbay Story’ and its strap line, ‘The hub for the active adventurers’. It’s a headline I want to shout about - so let me tell you why.
Firstly, there aren’t many people who can say they have seen EVERY coastal town in the UK. I am one of those people. In 2021, I stand up paddle boarded the entire coast of mainland Great Britain. Starting from Torbay and turning right, it took me 141 days (3907.7Km, averaging 32.83 Km per day) to complete this world first. Then in 2022, I completed the Northern Ireland coastline to become the only person to SUP paddle the entire UK coastline.
To break it down, it took me…
Northern Ireland 7 days 259.07 Km (average 37.01 km per day)
Wales 14 days 548.28 Km (average 39.16 Km per day)
England 81 days- 62 paddling days, 19 non paddle storm days.
Scotland 46 days- 43 paddling days, 3 non paddle storm days.
On my paddle I saw EVERY coastal community, experiencing the good, the bad, and - unfortunately - some ugly parts of our coastline. This perspective provides me with real insight into how amazing the English Riviera truly is. Let me put my thoughts about our beautiful Bay into 6 categories, based on my understanding of what I need as a saltwater enthusiast but also what I would expect as a tourist and father of three.

Geography
Not only is Torbay is stunning, but it is perfect in size. It does not feel too big, like perhaps Bournemouth, Swansea Bay or Moray Firth, nor does it feel too small - like perhaps St Ives or Sandwich Bay. Whichever direction you travel along the coast there is interest. From a paddle boarders’ perspective every few hundred meters there is something geographically amazing to look at and appreciate; this is the reason Torbay is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark. The whole of Torbay has been designated a Geopark since 2007 because of its unique and spectacular geology and natural environment. The English Riviera Geopark is unique; it is one of only 195 world geoparks but what makes it truly special is that we encompass one of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts – and are one of only two ‘urban’ geoparks in the UK.

Beaches and water
Torbay has six blue flag beaches. There are 11 Torbay beaches featured in the Good Beach guide and 10 with a Seaside Award. As long as an easterly hasn’t churned up the water, its predominately crystal-clear, placid water. This makes the Bay perfect for all year-round water activities - and especially for paddle boarding and open water swimming. Not to mention water that is so good for sailing, a Summer Olympics was held in the Bay in 1948.

Back beach facilities
Torbay has tremendous access and parking. In fact, parking spaces in Torbay often have better views than anything else. Torbay is a destination the Victorians created and celebrated. They loved providing space next to the seafront for open access, sadly abused by planners in the 70 & 80 to provide parking. (Thankfully, most locations around the UK are seeing sense to change their infrastructure and move unsightly parking away from the prime seafront).

Attractions and accommodation
Torbay has not one but three towns. They are three very different towns, something for everyone is provided by Brixham, Paignton and Torquay with extensive accommodation, eating and many attractions.

People
Torbay people really are welcoming and friendly, something that I found is not matched in all coastal resorts - especially at high season!
For me Torbay really does top the charts within all these categories.

Here are my TOP UK coastal resorts…
1.Torbay 2. Falmouth 3. Tenby 4. Scarborough 5. Portstewart and Barmouth 6. Poole
7.Campbeltown and the Isle of Arran 8.Llandudno 9.Woolacombe 10.Amble
Of course, I’m slightly biased! I always see the potential in a place so for me I see the positive parts of Torbay and probably gloss over the cracks, however, I am fully aware of these cracks and how large some have become.
The biggest strength and potential for Torbay is the Bays water, beach and coastal frontage. Thankfully, Torbay council realise this and have made it part of the Torbay story, including it as one of the four priority themes for destination development. These themes are: food and drink, on and in the water, UNESCO global geopark and culture and events. These priority, strategic actions underpin the Bays growth. By investing in Torbay as an international destination for water-based activities, further investment will flow and is an obvious way projects like Torquay Pavilion could ever receive the essential investment required to bring it back to life.
Take a moment to investigate Torbay’s adventurous past and you don’t need to look far before you recognise two world icons. Firstly, did you know that Agatha Christie was the first western women to ever stand up on a surfboard?! A lover of swimming, her adventurous spirit saw her as a true pioneer of the water. Secondly, Percy Fawcett, the incredible Torbay adventurer, was the motivation for the character Indiana Jones! Friends with Conan-Doyle, Fawcett inspired the recent film ‘The Lost City Of Z’ and lived on Vane Hill Road in a villa now replaced by Shirley Towers! Both Christie and Fawcett were true trailblazers and provide inspiration for what Torbay could do to fulfil its abundant potential.
What do I see as essential development when comparing Torbay to all the other UK or European coastal resorts? Well, simply put, we must invest in the basic maintenance of our coastline. We need: lifeguards, better access to the water via slipways, purpose-built water sports hubs in each of the Bay’s towns, events in and around the water including national and international events, a new unique world attraction to further encourage international tourists and to become the national hub for water sports. If Torbay has the vision, we can become the national destination for many water sports, including swimming, paddle boarding, rowing, sailing, kayaking, scuba, coasteering, wing foil to name just a few!
I’m excited for this vision of what could be. I’m excited for my home.