A Sup-er Successful Championship

June 12, 2011 - PRLog -- The second annual Venus Riders Family SUP Championship has been heralded by organisers as another great success, with families descending upon Blackpool Sands during half term to compete in the free competition.

Over 60 competitors took to the sea to compete for the chance to be crowned the Venus Riders Family SUP Champions of 2011. Open heats were held from Tuesday to Thursday, with competitors vying for a position in the finals held on Friday.

The event, which was launched in 2010 and supported by local company Red Paddle Co, aimed to introduce locals and holidaymakers to the thrills of stand up paddleboarding, a sport very much suited to the coast and estuaries of South Devon.  It’s a watersport that can be enjoyed by all ages and picked up easily with little practice.  In fact, many competitors simply stepped into their wetsuit and had their first try of SUP during the Championship.

Michael Smith, Venus Company Managing Director, commented on the event: “We’re delighted with the results of the Championship. Our aim has always been to put Blackpool Sands firmly on the map as THE place for SUP in the country and we hope that events such as these will encourage people of all ages and abilities to take up the sport and start to explore our beautiful coastline.”

“We would like to thank everyone who competed in the Championship and our event sponsors for providing some incredible prizes which had a total value of over £3,000.  We’re all very much looking forward to next year’s Championship.”

Alongside competing to be crowned the Championship winners, everyone who took part in the event were entered into a draw to win prizes from the event sponsors including a £500 holiday cottage voucher from Helpful Holidays, a stand up paddle board from Red Paddle Co, a mountain bike from Wiggle, over £800 of clothes vouchers from Weird Fish & Protest and a wetsuit, UV rash vests, bags and wallets from Xcel.

Following on from the Championship was a day of races on the Saturday – part of the National SUP circuit – where 70 experienced SUP riders took part in a series of 3 races.

Adrian Innocent, Marketing Manager for Helpful Holidays, was at the finals to present the Helpful Holidays voucher to Connor Cranfield the lucky winner: “We’re delighted to support Venus at the SUP championships, and see so many youngsters, as well as the ‘young-at-heart’, competing and having such great fun. The whole week was superbly organised by Venus Riders. Our congratulations to all who took part”.

Venus Riders offer tuition, tours and equipment hire for families, groups and parties alike at Blackpool Sands and Bigbury on Sea.  For more information, visit www.lovingthebeach.co.uk.

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