SUP the Creek 2025 report…

SUP the Creek (SUPTC) celebrated its 10th birthday with quite a party. The event, based in Kingsbridge and Salcombe, is a showcase for the South Hams coast and estuaries and an opportunity for many to finish their SUP season with a gathering of friends and family.

Words: David Partridge
Photos: David Partridge, Sarah & Antony Thornely (SUPjunkie)

The North Quay car park demonstrated just how much potential there is in SUP to build tourist numbers, as we more or less filled it! I am sure someone could look at the benefits this brings to the area. SUPTC and the enthusiasm and dynamism of Crispin Jones, the organiser, have given so much to the local community. It was with mixed emotions that people attended for what we feared might be the last SUPTC, and in rapidly changing autumnal weather.

Crispin had posted before the event, “It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the closure of Waterborn Club and School here in Kingsbridge. With further increasing costs over the last few years, amongst other factors, I can’t justify keeping the business going. This does mean that this year’s SUP The Creek will also be its final year!”

So at the briefing, it was wonderful to hear that a new company has been formed and with support from many in the SUP and local community, Waterborn looks set to continue. 

Catching up with Crispin briefly, he outlined how all the measures he has taken to encourage youth participation, women’s clubs and women-only paddles, coaching, local groups, clubs and societies will all be able to continue to benefit from Waterborn. Crispin and his team have provided so much for the local community, perhaps best exemplified by those paddlers who have evolved through Waterborn. Will Keetley, for example, started with them as a 13-year-old and is now a world-ranking paddler. He, of course, had returned to win SUPTC this year, but it was notable that the support and encouragement he was offering new young paddlers like the 15-year-old Drew from Norfolk. Crispin’s heritage certainly runs deep.

Crispin is looking super fit and explained that he has been training hard for the world championships (he is off in just a week or so to Abu Dhabi). The regime has involved swimming, gym work and running, alongside paddling. After Abu Dhabi and SUPTC settle down, he says he will enjoy a Salcombe gin and some chocolate and then get down to the serious business of rebuilding and strengthening Waterborn.

The event echoes Crispin’s tireless dedication to making the sport inclusive, with the briefing introducing juniors racing a 1km course, as well as leisure and racing fleets for hardboards and inflatables over 6km and 12km, and prone categories.

All photos: Antony & Sarah Thornely (SUPjunkie)

There were two dominant themes to the event this year: the future for Waterborn and the weather. In the lead-up, strong south-easterly winds had developed; however, one thing is certain: Crispin, a true local waterman born and bred on the creeks of South Devon, knew what to do, and he had Plan B, C, and D prepared. 

All competitors received efficient pre-event mailings with detailed instructions on parking, timings and links to YouTube channels with course details in helpful videos. 

Another great addition and accolade for SUPTC was the event being chosen by GBSUP as the finale of its race season. Scotty joined the briefing and helped coordinate the racing (managing the start line so Crispin could be on the water to follow the racing), collated results, and combined them with those from the other eight events in the season to produce an overall GBSUP winner. Details on  GBSUP.co.uk

The practicality
Start preparation was based on the North Quay, Kingsbridge. Boards could be dropped here with parking available or cheaper parking nearby, all efficiently marshalled by Crispin’s team. Boards and kit were prepared, and then a simple launch on a slipway and a very short paddle to the start.

From the briefing, we knew about Plan C, and of course, there is a complete and detailed pre-race info pack detailing safety, clothing advice and recommendations.

The C course involved a brief downwind leg into the heart of Kingsbridge. Round a turn and back up through the town, past the Crab Shell Inn (home of the prize giving) to the start of the Salcombe estuary. From here, we turned into the south-easterly wind, headed up Bowcombe Creek, and then, instead of taking the full course up to Frogmoor and Wide Gates, we had a shortcut across, in safe flat water, to a turning mark. Finally, a downwind leg on sheltered water back toward another turning buoy, two loops were completed before a final lap and run to the finish. The total distance for the 12 km fleet becoming a 9.5 sprint.

The start provided the most drama, as with perhaps 60 competitors in my start, there was a melee of paddlers, boiling water and lots of ‘washing machine’ like turbulence. The whole fleet then condenses for the turning buoy and then powers out into the wind. As you get to the Crab Shell, the water widens, so the bouncing reflected wake flattens, and everyone begins to feel easier.

The starts are timed so the racing fleets over 12km are followed by the shorter 6km and 1km start. The leisure categories could enjoy less frenetic starts and flatter water. All the planning is devoted to making the course accessible to all paddlers.

Crispin’s choice was perfect. Everyone had been a little apprehensive with the forecast 20 mph winds, but the water conditions were lovely, with just a faint rolling swell, but good flat water racing conditions. Very soon, the stars of the SUP world shone. Will Keetley and Hector Jessel raced ahead. It wasn’t easy to work out if the close racing, with paddles clicking together on occasion, was friendly or not, but they were both flying. The women’s fleet leaders, starting three minutes behind the men, also began to cut through, with Annabelle Page leading in Holly Pye. For the rest of the fleet, this is an incredible opportunity to see great paddlers doing what they do and to learn from each other.

All photos: David Partridge

The essence of SUPTC is the breadth and inclusivity. Prize giving celebrated all age groups and participant levels, a mark of the generous way Crispin treats the race and the organisation’s drive to reward all paddlers is a medal for all and a chance in each distance category for a lottery spot cash prize of £100. 

Sunday was the Technical and Sprint day, sadly, the weather was not helpful with driving rain, considerable swell and safety concerns. The Sprint series was enjoyed (perhaps more by spectators than competitors), again a masterclass from Will Keetley. Hats off to all those who battling through. I caught up with Sarah Thornely of SUPjunkie, who posted a brilliant second place in the 6km distance race on Saturday. “I have loved just getting back on the water. I have done this race many times before, and it is one of my favourites. Two years ago, the Tech race, here at Salcombe, was terrifying, but I loved every minute. It is so good to see so many competitors at a race (there were 250 or so entries), especially all the women and youth.” The coffee shop was full of banter and camaraderie, plans and aspirations. 

From the safety crew to marshals, friends and family, the event has a strong community feel. It feels free from the commercialism of other sporting events. For all competitors, it felt like a genuine opportunity to thank Crispin for all he has done over the last 10 years for SUPTC, Waterborn and the local community. He was presented with a thank you from all of us.

The event, of course, relies on sponsorship, and Red and Starboard are both generous, along with Salcombe Gin. It was also great to catch up with the trade stands of Oscar Propulsion, Aqua Paddle, Biomate, ShoreTees and others. The competitors are also encouraged to support the RNLI by donating the race bib deposit of £10.

So was this a sad end to 10 years of SUPTC, a true iconic SUP race or a new beginning? Time will tell, but what is certain is that most of us will be signing up for the sister Head of the Dart race for April next year, and we look forward to boosting the early tourist season in Devon. I am sure all who attended will join me in just saying a huge thank you to Crispin and his team. We want to come back in 2026 and look forward to supporting the new Waterborn.

FULL RESULTS:

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=410527

Info: https://www.waterborn.uk.com/event/sup-the-creek-2025/