SUP: Team GB – the road to Fiji

Words: BSUPA

Pics: Bob Berry

The team that represents the UK will be heading out to Fiji in November for the ISA SUP, Prone and Paddleboard World Championships, 12-20 November. It’s going to be an exciting event.

All of the racing being held on Denarau Island, Nadi, with surfing action being contested at the legendary Cloudbreak surf spot. There will be live heat footage – please check out the ISA website for further information –http://isaworlds.com/sup/2016/en/

With a re-shaped line up the team has been training hard throughout the season with sights ambitiously set on a top ten finish. Team GB is looking strong having already competed at the European Championships in Lacanau, France, finishing fourth overall.

The 10,000 mile round trip will have some challenges, just getting a team there is tricky in itself. Include transporting a 12’6 carbon race boards and surf SUPs and logistics are set to be one of the hardest ever! Once on the Pacific island of Fiji the contest will shape up to be a huge prospect for Team GB who will compete against 28 other countries – all of whom have very talented paddling athletes in attendance.

Conditions for the event will likely be ferocious and that is not just the surf. Temperatures will rise to 30C+ and humidity will be strong. Team GB are stoked to have teamed up with world leading paddle sports clothing company Vaikobi. Vaikobi is the technical clothing partner to Team GB’s SUP and prone fleet – what better place to make the most of their V-hot range of garments.

If reading about the worlds is making you feel a little green with envy then why not try your hand at competing for the Team GB in 2017? The BSUPA trials will again be held at the Ocean Sports Centre in Carbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall on June 3/4th 2017. This premier paddling venue offers flat water and open ocean conditions with plenty of chances for those who want to test their skills. For details and entry go to www.oceansportscentre.co.uk and click on events.

2047’s ISA SUP and Prone Worlds will be held in Denmark (Sept as a estimate). There are going to be changes as the UK team selection will be divided into nations- Team England, Team Wales, Team Scotland and the Channel Islands. As it stands each national orginser will manage the trails – so Team GB selection will become Team England in conjunction with Surfing GB (soon to become Surf England) for 2017. The SUP Surf team will be announced by the end of November 2016 once the new team status is confirmed .

Team GB is supported by riders themselves who have financed their own trip, BSUPA cover the entry costs to the event, Vaikobi support rider’s tech clothing and Fetch have supplied the team kit.

You can follow daily updates on team gb Facebook sitehttps://www.facebook.com/Stand-Up-Paddle-Board-Team-GB-218882881539760/ please support the team its going to be a exiting event .