LONDON SUP OPEN TAKES THE CAPITAL BY STORM DURING ITS UK DEBUT THIS WEEKEND

Pics: John Carter

AS LONDON CONTINUED TO BASK IN A HEATWAVE, THE ULTIMATE STAND UP PADDLEBOARD WEEKEND THRILLED AND ENTERTAINED CROWDS

MICHAEL BOOTH, YUKA SATO AND SHAE FOUDY AMONG THE PRO SUP ATHLETES TO TAKE HOME MEDALS

This weekend saw the first-ever London SUP Open come to the sizzling capital in the hottest temperatures of the year.  Pro athletes competed as crowds looked on whilst the event village was a hub of activity at the Royal Victoria Docks.  Australia’s Michael Booth, Japan’s Yuka Sato and California’s Shae Foudy were among the athletes to the nab a first place.

Everyone from pro athletes, SUP and wellness enthusiasts and complete beginners revelled in the event village, cooling down with ice cold drinks, eating wholesome food and sampling the array of free activities on offer.

For those who’ve never tried Stand Up Paddleboard before, a dedicated space on the water run by Decathlon offered plentiful and free SUP lessons for all to try.  Yogis were able to practice their downward dog on the water with specialist free SUP Yoga sessions in addition to the ‘Soul Sisters Yoga’ taught by top yoga teacher Charlotte Holmes on land and also free.

Kids and families were also well catered for with free youth racing for under 16s, free kids SUP lessons and also free dragon racing where teams of four race on a multi-person Red Paddle Co. board.  London was the first stop on the APP world tour and was sponsored by Red Bull, Quicksilver, Decathlon, Kona Beer and The Big Easy.