Biggest UK water event since 2012 Olympics coming to Torbay

The ICF SUP paddleboarding World Cup being held in Torbay next year will be the biggest water-based event in the UK since the 2012 London Olympics.

That's the belief of Brendon Prince, organiser and nine-times world record holder, and founder of the water charity Above Water, who was talking at a public event held at the Redcliffe Hotel, Paignton.

The SUP World Cup, running between June 24 and June 28, has never been held in the UK before and it is a massive win for Torbay to get such a prestigious international event, which will really help in the Bay's our mission to make Torbay the Stand-Up-Paddleboard centre of the UK.

Brendon told the guests: "I have paddled around every beach and harbour of Britain, and I can tell you Torbay is by far the best for water-based sports, and I challenge anyone to say otherwise. I am already working with the Council, who have been very helpful to ensure that we make the most of this opportunity and to create a legacy that goes beyond next June."

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The UK SUP event, held in the inner harbour of Torquay two weeks ago, shows the potential of the World Cup. That event alone attracted 5.5 million social media interactions and was featured in every national newspaper, The One Show on BBC1, Radio 2 and many other media outlets. 

The June event will be on a different scale, with all numbers of ‘Sprint’; ‘Technical’ and ‘Distance events’ which people can watch both live and on big screens by the harbour. However, it will cost over £250,000.00 to put on.

Also speaking at the event were Andy Cameron, of the Ocean Conservation Trust, and Matt Lewis, of The Wild Planet Trust, who both told the audience about the unique sea grass that grows around the Bay compliment paddle boarding as it thrives in areas of water that have clear water. 

Matt explained: "There are large luxurious meadows of seagrass that create the perfect environment for paddle boarding, but it needs protecting.

"We have an active campaign to work in particular to educate boat owners not to moor their vessels in areas where their anchors can do damage.

"Beaches such as Fishcombe, Elbury Cove, Broadsands, Torre Abbey and Corbyn head are particularly abundant with seagrass, and there are now buoys warning yachts about anchoring there."

Brendon also told the guests that their organisation SUPHUB English Riviera were working closely with hotels and B&B’s giving marks of approval to those that are paddle-board friendly and who have facilities to store boards, wash down equipment and hang up wetsuits.

He said: "It’s vital that everyone in Torbay works together to make sure we make the most of this incredible opportunity, which is now only nine months away.

"We really need everyone to do three things - spread that the event is happening through word of mouth; we will need about 1,000 volunteers to help man the event; I want to hear from anyone who might have creative ideas that might help us.

"It might be something we have not thought of, and I am happy to be bombarded with as many emails as possible offering help."