SUP12: A story of community, challenge, and personal triumph.

We spoke to several of the Zero to Hero competitors after the event, many of whom had never raced before, raced on a 12'6 Sport+ Red paddle board and each shared how inspiring and empowering the experience had been. From nerves at the start line to the overwhelming sense of achievement at the finish, their stories highlight the heart of what SUP12 is all about: community, challenge, and personal triumph.

''I had an incredible time at SUP12 — a fun, supportive event with no pressure and a great community vibe. Thanks to RED’s fantastic kit and the opportunity from Brendon’s Zero to Hero program, I was able to take part and surprise myself with how far I could go. The board was fast, stable, and easy to handle, helping me smash my personal goal of staying upright for a full lap in choppy conditions. I paddled at a steady pace, soaking in the beautiful Torbay sunrise and sunset, encouraging others, and skipping coffee breaks to keep going — all while supported by amazing volunteers, especially the brilliant “board butlers.” It was a unique challenge filled with laughter, determination, and camaraderie, and I’d absolutely love to do it all again.''

''I’ve been paddleboarding leisurely around Torbay for five years, never taking it too seriously, so when the chance to join SUPTwelve came up, I thought, “Why not?”—never expecting to be picked! When the confirmation email arrived, I was excited but nervous, even asking to switch to SUPSix, but ultimately committed to the full experience, and I’m so glad I did. Arriving at Paignton seafront at 5:30am in my campervan, I watched a beautiful sunrise before heading into a warm, welcoming transition area. Though I was last on the water at the 7am start, I didn’t mind—I was just happy to be there. The choppy conditions and a brand new Red Sport 12'6" board made me nervous, but after a wobbly start, I managed to stand and was surprised at how smooth and stable it was. I mixed standing and kneeling across my 8 laps, and the board was fantastic. What really made the day special was the friendly, encouraging SUP community—especially Brendon and the Zero to Hero team, who supported each other throughout. A huge thank you to Brendon, Red, and my fellow paddlers for helping me believe I might just do this again someday.''

''I’ve been completely blown away by the whole SUPTwelve experience. The generosity of the @redequipment team in supplying the kit was matched only by the quality of the board itself—it was outstanding, handling tough conditions with ease. Ultra responsive, easy to turn, and quick when I needed it, the board’s stability, especially with the RSS battens, allowed me to stand for the entire race. As for Team Zero to Hero—what an inspiring group of first-time competitors! Despite being self-confessed fair-weather paddlers, each of the other five smashed out over 30km, which was nothing short of incredible. We were all buzzing at the end of the 12 hours, and honestly, I still am. A huge thank you to Brendon and his brilliant team for such a safe, well-organised event—one that’s definitely inspired me to enter more competitions in the future, including SUPTwelve 2026.''

''The quality of the board was outstanding and is what is expected from a RED item. The board was nice and stiff providing minimum flex through the swell that was experienced and was nice and stable throughout. At times when there was the opportunity, I was able to up the pace, and the board provided a good amount of acceleration and glide.''

"Looking back, I do feel a little silly for how nervous I was in the lead-up to SUP Twelve. Most of it came down to fear of the unknown - What would the conditions be like? Would it be a welcoming atmosphere? But honestly, I had the best time. The vibes both on and off the water were absolutely immaculate.

I went into it with low expectations for myself as speed definitely isn’t my strong suit. So while 8 laps and 28km might not sound like much compared to what some others clocked on the day, I’m genuinely proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone, embracing the experience, and giving it my all.

I already knew the SUP community was awesome, but I didn’t expect the racing crowd to be so much fun and so welcoming to newcomers.

I absolutely loved using the RED 12'6 Sport+ board for the event. It handled the changing conditions like a dream - super stable, and once I found my rhythm, it just glided through the chop and tracked beautifully. 

My experience of SUP Twelve was nothing but positive. It was such a well-run event. Mentally (and physically) it was definitely a challenge facing 12 hours of paddling, but it was the support and kindness from everyone there that really kept me going. I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone wanting to challenge themselves and dip a toe into the world of SUP racing in a super chilled-out environment!"

SUP12 proved to be so much more than just a race — it was a celebration of community, personal growth, and the pure joy of being out on the water. From seasoned paddlers to those stepping onto a race board for the very first time through the Zero to Hero programme, the event brought people together in the most uplifting way. The stunning Torbay coastline, the incredible support from volunteers (and those unforgettable board butlers!), and the encouragement from fellow competitors created an atmosphere that was both welcoming and empowering. Whether participants completed a few laps or pushed themselves through the full twelve hours, everyone left with a sense of achievement and a renewed love for paddleboarding. With stories of first-time racers smashing their goals and already planning their return in 2026, it’s clear SUP12 is more than an event — it’s the start of something special.