5 Paddle Board Events In The UK You Need To Know About

The sun is finally starting to shine and longer evenings are back in business. This can only mean one thing: paddleboarding season is well and truly upon us. 

Whether you’re looking to harness your competitive spirit or simply want to explore the different products that the industry has to offer in detail, a visit to a paddle board event could really shake up your SUP experience this year. From races to exhibitions, here are 5 paddle board events in the UK you need to know about as you make plans for the season…

SUPFEST 2023 - 26th - 29th May

Since its inception in 2016, SUPFEST has been an unforgettable weekend. Set in the heart of the stunning Lake District, this year’s event is sure to be no different. The family-friendly festival takes place over three days at the end of May, with excitement, adventure and good vibes in abundance. 

Tickets start from £95 and grant you access to the entire weekend of fun. During the day, you’ll be able to get stuck into a SUP race and can take the time to enjoy demos of the latest paddle board gear. Then, in the evening, you’ll find camping, live music and entertainment, all included in your ticket price. You can hire a paddle board for as little as £10 an hour too, making SUPFEST a great event for even the newest paddlers!

TRENT100 - 20th - 23rd July

Grab your mates and gear up for a 100km test of your paddling abilities! Billed as ‘the UK’s most thrilling team paddle board challenge’, TRENT100 is the perfect paddle board event for the adrenaline junkies among us. 

Over the course of this 3-day event, you’ll battle fast waters and the glorious British Summer (!!) to paddle across three different counties. The TRENT100 is no easy feat, but the celebrations at the finish line in Nottingham are not to be missed. If you’d rather soak up the atmosphere from the sidelines, there are spectator tickets available that include all of the best bits - camping, breakfast and entertainment - so you can still join in with the fun.

The Great Big Paddle Parade - 1st - 3rd September

If you’re looking for ways to give back to the water, a charity paddle board event might be the perfect choice for you. The English Riveria is one of the most accessible places to go paddleboarding in Devon, and it’s also the location of The Great Big Paddle Parade - an awesome event that aims to raise funds for the RNLI!

This paddle board event is a relatively new one but has already proved itself so popular that it’s pencilled in for an entire weekend this September. You can expect an action-packed schedule of activities in and out of the water, but the main spectacle is undoubtedly the world record attempt for the most stand-up paddle boarders on parade! Last year saw 544 paddlers take to the waters, so why not join them and do your bit for the people that keep the water safe at the same time?

Southampton International Boat Show - 15th - 24th September

The profile of paddleboarding at the Southampton International Boat Show has grown hugely in recent years, making this the perfect event to attend if you have a whole range of water-based interests. You’ll see the marine city of Southampton come to life over the course of a huge two-week festival, with exhibits ranging from kayaks to SUPs and superyachts to catamarans.  

Plus, Red will be there, showcasing our range of paddle boards. Getting hands-on with the latest technology is the best way to decide on your next upgrade, and there’s no better place to do that than at Britain’s biggest festival of boating!

SUP Symposium - 14th - 15th October

Though most paddle board events take place over the summer months, there’s no need to miss out if you can’t pack anything else into your schedule. The SUP Symposium in Cardiff takes place later in the year in October and is a fantastic event for those looking to improve their knowledge of all things paddleboarding. Whether you want to discover ways to improve your technique or try something new like SUP surfing, there are talks and workshops for all abilities across the two-day event.

These events are just the start when it comes to paddleboarding in the UK. Get in touch with the expert team at Red today to find out more about what is going on near you.