The British Stand Up Paddle Association was founded in 2007 by Bill Fitzhugh, Grant Winter, Simon Bassett and Matt Argyle to represent the interests of stand up paddle surfers.  In 2008 Simon Bassett and Matt Argyle created, wrote and ran the world’s first national stand up paddle surfing and racing series, appointing national champions at the end of the season. Events were held at West Wittering, Gwithian Beach, the Isle of Wight and Newgale.  2008 saw  BSUPA committee members attend outdoors shows, river festivals and other events around the UK to promote SUP.

In 2009 the BSUPA ran the 2nd national series with events in West Wittering, Gwithian, Swansea and Watergate Bay, as well as  sanctioned events for Paddle Round the Pier and the Animal Windfest.  Working with Sport England, ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) and the RNLI the BSUPA in 2010 became  a totally independent association.  BSUPA negotiated with British Waterways and the Environment Agency for members to have discounted licenses for access to inland rivers, lakes and waterways.

SUP Wave Etiquette

The information below is designed to give you a brief guide to catching waves, while also giving correct priority to other wave users where appropriate. Thanks very much to the guys at www.supsurfboards.co.uk for putting this together

Naish put it beautifully: “Please use respect and common sense when surfing an SUP. Just because you could catch every wave, doesn’t mean you should. Nobody likes a wave hog, give respect, and don’t be a kook!”

General surfing rules say that priority is given to the closest surfer to the peak (peeling part) of the breaking wave, or the surfer that is furthest out, or that has been waiting longest. Given that most SUPs are further out on a surf break that any other user, you could then claim priority on almost any wave. To reduce the chance of conflict it makes sense to (where possible):

• Find some space. You are more mobile than most surfers, and if you can keep your distance then there is little chance of conflict.
• Catch waves that are breaking deep, and pull off before they reach the main surf or shore break.
• Try and look for waves that are peeling away from the crowds – learn to read ‘green’ unbroken waves from a distance and use this to your advantage.
• Catch the later waves in each ‘set’ or group of waves – this normally allows the main line-up of waiting surfers/bodyboarders to empty to some extent. This will give you a longer, hazard free, safer ride.
• Give waves/earn respect – if waves are sparse leave certain sets of waves to other users completely.
• Keep control – it’s better to pull off a wave if you are not 100% – your board is heavy and very hard, and nobody is going to be happy if you kick it out and turn it into a loose missile. This is especially true if you are coming into shore through crowds of families with small children.

In addition it is worth using common sense when choosing where you are going to surf. Breaks that are known for surf longboarding will normally offer a smoother, longer breaking wave. In addition longboarders may be older and less aggressive than (younger) shortboarders. Breaks where there are deeper breaking waves to ride, or other less crowded areas will reduce your risk of conflict. As a sweeper you have the ideal means to get to breaking waves well off-shore and in hidden secret spots – so use it to your advantage!

“I was out surfing a shortboard wave recently when a SUP rider came out, at this little wedge at the Cote Basque. I had to tell him, “It’s not a wave for SUPing here bro. It’s dangerous for us to have you and that thing here,” and the guy understood and paddled over to the next peak and got on with it. But sadly it doesn’t happen that way all the time, maybe hardly ever.

“When I go out with the SUP, I tend to choose spots without too many guys out surfing, I don’t surf my regular waves … If SUPing continues to grow … it’ll make surfing etiquette more more important, we’re gonna need a new set of rules as making sure the old ones are understood. It is about respect first, but also smart communication.

“Explain to SUPers, beginners or otherwise, that they can’t just show up at a spot and take all the waves, and be a health threat for others. We have to regulate it a bit now because it’s a young sport and needs it.”

Antoine Delpero, surfer, shaper, SUP sweeper – extract taken from Surfing Europe No 83 July 2011.

The above is given as a guide only by www.supsurfboards.co.uk