The third annual SUPTwelve endurance paddleboarding event, held on Saturday 12 April at Paignton Beach in Torbay, was a standout success cementing its place as the UK’s leading coastal endurance paddle event.
120 paddlers from all over the UK and beyond pushed their limits, taking on the unique 12-hour challenge that defines SUPTwelve.
What began as a grassroots endurance event has now grown into an internationally recognised test of stamina, strategy, and spirit.
This year’s SUPTwelve saw record numbers of competitors, including participants from all four corners of the UK and a record international turnout. Paddlers travelled from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Costa Rica to take part in the epic coastal contest.
At the heart of SUPTwelve is a deceptively simple concept: complete as many laps as possible of a 3.5km coastal circuit within 12 hours.
But with paddlers required to return to the beach after every lap, strategy plays just as big a role as strength. Rest, nutrition, equipment changes and morale all come into play, particularly when conditions shift, and they certainly did throughout the day.
Braving the ever-changing coastal elements, competitors faced light morning breezes that turned into more challenging chop and side winds midday. The local conditions tested even the most experienced paddlers, making each completed lap a small victory.
Among the standout performances was Paul Simmons of Starboard UK, who took the overall win with an astonishing 28 laps, covering almost 100km.
Simmons credited a balanced training regime of SUP and running, consistent refuelling, and the stability of his All Star board as key to his performance.
Not far behind was Tanja Ecker from Germany, who claimed the title of top female paddler and came second overall. Her competitive paddling is marked by impressive consistency and determination as this was Tanja’s second SUPTwelve victory.
SUPTwelve is different to other races as it is built around a community of paddlers. From elite athletes to passionate first timers, the event is open to all paddlers, regardless of board type or competitive experience.
The inclusive format encourages participation across the board, creating a positive, welcoming vibe on and off the water.
This spirit of inclusivity was exemplified by the “Zero to Hero” initiative, run in partnership with Red Equipment.
The programme helped six beginners train and prepare for their first endurance paddle, and this year’s graduates beamed with pride as they joined seasoned racers on the start line, and crossed the finish 12 hours later.
The beachside event village buzzed throughout the day, with spectators, families, and supporters enjoying the sunshine, live commentary, DJ, and updates from the course. The energy was infectious, fuelling the paddlers as they racked up laps hour after hour.
SUPTwelve continues to build a reputation not just as an athletic challenge, but as a celebration of paddleboarding and community.
Its unique blend of endurance racing and inclusivity has drawn attention from across Europe and beyond — and with this year’s international turnout, it’s clear that SUPTwelve is now on the global paddle map.
SUPTwelve’s success is also a vital building block in the journey towards the 2026 ICF SUP World Cup: English Riviera, showcasing the region’s readiness to host world-class competition while celebrating its unique coastline and vibrant community.
As the sun set over the English Riviera, tired but triumphant paddlers came ashore to cheers and applause. Whether they completed five laps or twenty-five, each one left with a story — and most importantly, the knowledge that they’d been part of something special.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the competitors, volunteers, sponsors, and partners who made SUPTwelve 2025 possible — including the invaluable support from Paddle UK, Torbay Council and ERBIDCo.
We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026 for the next chapter in this incredible journey.
The full results from SUPTwelve can be found here.
Article by Brendon Prince, SUPTwelve Organiser