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Venus Riders Family SUP Championship

The first Venus Riders Family SUP Championship, in association with Red Paddle Co., is being held at Blackpool Sands between June 1st and 4th, 2010.

It’s FREE to enter and is open to everyone aged 8 and above. Best of all anyone can take part, even those who have never tried SUP before. All equipment will be provided for competitors free of charge.

Everyone who enters the competition will receive a FREE specially-designed Weird Fish t-shirt and will be entered into a free prize draw where there are top prizes to be won*.

It’s a great way for families to spend the day together with a bit of family competitiveness thrown in for good measure.

What Is SUP?

Stand up paddle boarding, or SUP for short, is one of the best watersports for people of all ages and abilities - you stand on top of a long board and glide across the surface of the water using a long paddle.

Unlike surfing, SUP can be practised almost anywhere there is water, meaning it is ideally suited to the family-friendly coast and estuaries of beautiful South Devon.

How Do I Compete?

To compete in the championship, contestants must complete a 100m SUP course at Blackpool Sands.

Mixed-age qualifying heats will run daily between 10am and 12noon on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The winners of the qualifying heats will then be entered into the finals day on Friday June 4th, where three SUP champions will be crowned in the following age groups: 8-12 years, 13-16 years and 17+ years.

How Do I Enter?

To secure your place in one of the four daily heats, visit the event registration point on the beach by 9:30am. Places are limited so arrive early to guarantee your place.

All equipment will be provided free of charge.

What Happens After My Heat?

Once competitors have completed their heat, they will find out whether they have made it through to the grand final day on Friday June 4th.

Everyone who has entered will be able to collect their FREE Weird Fish t-shirt at the Venus beach shop after the race, plus they will also receive a certificate.

All competitors will be entered into the free prize draw* which will take place after the grand final on Friday, where there are top prizes to be won including:

The Finals

The winners of the qualifying heats will compete again on Friday June 4th. The finals day will start at 10am with registration from 9:30am.

This time competitors will compete against contestants of the same age: 8-12 years, 13-16 years and 17+ years. The top three contestants in each heat will progress to the semi-finals and, if successful, the finals where the Venus Riders Family SUP Champions will be crowned and will receive their winning trophy.

Don't forget to bring along all of your friends and family to cheer you on to victory!

The Professional Event

To round off the Championship week, a professional SUP competition will be held at Blackpool Sands on Saturday June 5th showcasing some of the best SUP talent in the UK. For more information on the event or for details on how to take part visit www.standuppaddlesurf.co.uk.

Venus Riders SUP Tuition and Hire

Once you’ve tried SUP, we’re sure you’ll want to do it again and again. To improve your technique or to simply practise before the finals why not book some SUP lessons with Venus Riders?

Venus Riders offer 2 hour SUP lessons for £38 or equipment hire from £15 for 1 hour. For more information email Venus Riders at riders@venuscompany.co.uk

The Venus Riders Family SUP Championship is set to be one of the best days out this June. So what are you waiting for? Get together with your friends and family and head down to Venus at Blackpool Sands between June 1st and 4th for what’s sure to be an action-packed, fun-filled day at the beach!

* Winners must be present at the prize draw on Friday to be able to receive their prize. For full terms and conditions click here.