What is SUP Racing

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What is SUP Racing?

Simply put: It is any race that you complete on a Stand Up Paddle board. It is probably the easiest type of racing (on the water) to get into, and the sport is so new that getting from beginner to national competitor is totally achievable by anyone.
Age categories and different styles of races will suit different people and there is something for everyone.
Look at the types of races listed below and decide which appeals the most:

Read more: What is SUP Racing

Hint: Fun Races are always a good place to start.

Fun Races

Think “Fun Run”

These are events where:

• “It is not a race”. They will often have timings recorded but the culture will be around “Participation”
• They often have a theme, (Halloween etc…), and are a great way of dipping your toe into racing.
• You will often find them at Water-Sport Festivals. 
• Quite often they will sit alongside more serious races.  Big serious races can look daunting but check out the categories for terms like “Fun” or “Challenge”

“Challenge” is shorthand for “racing as a personal challenge and not being too serious about the times”

Normally they will be between 1 and 5km and should take up to an hour to complete. 

Sprint Races

These are fast and quick

They:

• Are often 200m
• Often run on flat water (but don’t have to be)
• Require a bit more training and technique
• Are over really quickly so your first taste of racing does not need to be hours long 🙂

Technical Races

These Tend to be a race around buoys (often in an M Shape)

They:

• Usually are multiple lap
• Often involve running onto the Beach and around a mark in between every lap
• Are shorter than most other races
• Are super fun
• Are sometimes called “Sprints” just to be confusing

Distance (Endurance) Races

They:

• Range from 10km to 50km
• Involve a heap of extra skills including:
  • Fuelling and Logistics
  • Race Strategy
  • Weather planning
  • Team work (on some races)
  • Mental preparation and coping strategies
• Are a really slow burn. You might hate your first endurance race, but by the third one you will be hooked
• Have a great community
• Are a bit like running a Marathon but without killing your knees

Ultra-Endurance Races

Anything over 50km is in Ultra territory.

They;

• Are often multi day
• Have lots of logistical issues to organise, to ensure a fun race
• Are achievable by most of us BUT, after some adequate training, and getting your Kit dialled in just right.
• Are as much a mental challenge, as a physical one.
• Often leave you saying “Never again” and then by the following week you have signed up for next year.
• Have a really tight knit community that feels like family when you join it.