ICF SUP World Cup 2026: The UK's Biggest Ever Paddleboarding Moment

The ICF SUP World Cup 2026 is coming to the UK. For the first time ever, the International Canoe Federation is hosting a full SUP World Cup on British shores — and it lands on the English Riviera from 24–28 June 2026.

Around 200 elite athletes from across the world will race sprint, technical, and distance events off Torre Abbey Sands in Torbay. Alongside the competition, the Paddle UK SUPER Festival opens the event to everyone. Beginners. Families. Recreational paddlers. All welcome.

This is the biggest stand up paddleboarding event ever staged in the UK. Here's everything you need to know.

What Is the ICF SUP World Cup?

The International Canoe Federation — the ICF — is the global governing body for canoe and paddle sports. It runs World Cup and World Championship events across disciplines including canoe sprint, slalom, and stand up paddleboarding. When the ICF puts its name on a race, it carries full international standing. Medals count. Rankings count.

Who Are the ICF?

Founded in 1924, the ICF is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and operates across more than 160 countries. The most recent SUP World Championship took place in Abu Dhabi in 2025. That event drew 460 athletes from 54 countries. This year, the circuit comes to Devon.

Why This Year Is Historic for UK Paddleboarding

Two things make 2026 different. First, it's the first ICF-accredited watersports championship ever held in the UK at this scale. Second, it's the first major international SUP event since Paddle UK officially became the governing body for stand up paddling in 2023.

Those two facts together mean this isn't just another competition. It's a statement that UK SUP has arrived on the world stage.

Where It's Happening: English Riviera, Torbay

The event takes place across the Torbay coastline — Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham on the South Devon coast.

Why Torbay Was Chosen

Geography plays a big part. Dartmoor sits to the northwest, sheltering Tor Bay from prevailing winds. The result is calm, shallow water with a warm microclimate — some of the most reliable coastal conditions in England.

Brendon Prince, nine-time world record SUP champion and director of the World Cup 2026, was clear on the choice: "The English Riviera offers the ideal conditions to host such a prestigious, world-class competition."

Over 22 miles of coastline. Sheltered harbour areas. Good transport links. It made sense.

The Three Venues

Racing and festival activities are based around Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay as the main hub. Race courses use sheltered bays and harbour areas around Paignton and Brixham. The SUPER Festival village sits adjacent to Torre Abbey Sands on the banjo — the curved pier area running out from the seafront.

The Full 5-Day Schedule (24–28 June 2026)

Here's the breakdown across all five days:

Wednesday 24 June — Athlete registration. Course open for practice. Thursday 25 June — Opening ceremony. Junior races and school activities. Friday 26 June — ICF Sprint Races. Saturday 27 June — ICF Technical Races. SUPER Festival activities in full swing. Sunday 28 June — ICF Distance Races. SUP 1000 World Record attempt. Closing celebrations.

The World Cup races run Friday to Sunday. Wednesday and Thursday are for practice, registration, and community events. If you're coming for the elite racing, 26–28 June is when it happens.

The Racing: Sprint, Technical, and Distance

Three race formats make up the ICF World Cup programme.

What Each Race Format Involves

Sprint races are short and fast. Typically 200–400 metres. Athletes line up and go. No course markers. No strategy. Pure speed on the water.

Technical races introduce buoys and turn marks. Athletes paddle a set course that tests board handling and race craft alongside raw fitness. Usually 1–3km.

Distance races are the long-format events. Open water, longer course, more pacing and strategy involved. This is where paddlers who train on touring boards have an edge.

Prize Money — Who Can Win?

€9,000 is available in the ICF open categories. Open categories mean any eligible paddler can enter — not just national team athletes. If you're a strong competitive paddler, you can race the world's best and compete for real prize money.

ICF World Cup medal points also apply, feeding into global rankings.

Festival race categories run alongside the World Cup events. Open to all. No prize money, but you race the same water.

The SUPER Festival: More Than Just Racing

The SUPER Festival wraps around the World Cup across all five days. It's where the event opens up to everyone.

Activities for All Levels

Have a Go sessions put a board under you with instructor support. No experience needed. These run across the event and are specifically designed to introduce the sport to first-timers.

Workshops and live demonstrations run throughout the week. Equipment brands will be on-site with demos and retail stands. Evening entertainment and social gatherings keep things going after racing finishes each day.

If you're thinking about getting your own board before the event, browsing the full inflatable paddleboard range is a good starting point — particularly if you want something easy to transport down to Torbay.

The SUP 1000 World Record Attempt

Sunday closes with the SUP 1000 — a mass participation world record attempt. The goal: 1,000 paddlers on the water at the same time, in the same location.

It needs numbers to work. If you've ever wanted to be part of a world record, this is the moment to sign up.

Can I Enter? Participation Options Explained

The short answer: yes. Most people can enter something at this event.

Elite ICF World Cup Entries

Elite entries go through the official SUPER Festival website. Athletes competing at ICF level should check eligibility under ICF SUP Competition Rules. National Federation athletes may need to register through their governing body. Entries include goodie bags and full festival access.

Festival Race Categories

Festival races run in sprint, technical, and distance formats alongside the World Cup schedule. Open to the broader paddling community. No elite qualification needed. Entry fees include festival access and goodie bags.

Have a Go Sessions for Beginners

No board. No experience. No problem. Have a Go sessions are for complete first-timers and are run with full instructor support.

If the event inspires you to buy your first board, the Loco Amigo Air inflatable paddleboard is built for beginners — wide, stable, and forgiving while you're finding your feet on the water.

Attending as a Spectator: What to Expect

You don't need a paddle to enjoy this event.

The Festival Village

The SUPER Festival village sits at Torre Abbey Sands. Food and drink, trade stands, live entertainment, and social spaces are all part of it. Racing takes place on the water in front of clear viewing areas along the seafront.

Watching World Cup-level SUP racing from a Devon beach — with a pasty in hand — is not a bad way to spend a June weekend.

Getting There

Torbay is accessible by train via the Riviera Line from Exeter. Both Torquay and Paignton have stations within walking distance of the venues. By road, the A380 connects Torbay to the M5. The English Riviera has a range of SUP-friendly accommodation — check the official SUPER Festival website for partners.

Driving down with kit? The Loco Scout Air touring inflatable paddleboard rolls up small enough to fit in a boot, which makes it easy to explore the wider coastline around Torbay outside of the festival hours.

Why This Event Matters for UK Paddleboarding

Paddle UK and the Sport's Growth

SUP is one of the fastest-growing watersports in the world. The 2025 ICF World Championship had 54 countries competing. UK participation figures have climbed steadily since 2019.

Paddle UK became the official governing body for stand up paddling in 2023. Hosting the ICF World Cup just three years later is a significant marker of progress for the sport here.

For paddlers looking to get competitive after watching the event, hard SUP racing boards offer the performance needed for training and racing at a higher level.

Legacy for Torbay and Devon

Torbay Council and the English Riviera Business Improvement District are co-organisers. This isn't just a sporting event — it's an investment in the region. Over 5,000 spectators are expected. Local businesses, accommodation providers, and water sports operators will all see the benefit.

Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID, said it directly: "The English Riviera is set to welcome over 5,000 spectators and up to 1,000 elite and community athletes to a high-energy festival of sea, sunshine, and sport."

That kind of event leaves a mark.

Quick-Answer FAQ

When is the ICF SUP World Cup 2026? 24–28 June 2026. Elite World Cup races run 26–28 June. The SUPER Festival runs across all five days.

Where is the event held? English Riviera, Torbay, South Devon. Main hub is Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay.

Can beginners take part? Yes. Have a Go sessions and festival race categories are open to all. Elite ICF World Cup entries require eligible registration.

Is there prize money? Yes — €9,000 in the ICF open categories. Festival races don't carry a prize fund.

How do I enter? All entries go through the official event site at superfestival.paddleuk.org.uk. Early bird windows offer discounted entry fees.

Do I need my own board? Not for Have a Go sessions. For festival races, check equipment rules on the event site. If you're looking to bring the family and want a kids' inflatable paddleboard for the trip, or want to arrive fully kitted out with a carbon SUP paddle, having your own gear means you can make the most of Torbay's coastline beyond the festival itself.

It All Comes Down to June

The ICF SUP World Cup 2026 is a genuine first for the UK. An ICF-accredited World Cup. Around 200 elite athletes from across the world. A five-day festival open to everyone. €9,000 in prize money. And a world record attempt on the final day.

Whether you're a competitive paddler targeting ICF points, a recreational paddler wanting a festival entry, or a complete beginner curious what all the fuss is about — there is a way in.

English Riviera. 24–28 June. Don't miss it.