Local Stand Up Paddleboard event is given award by SUP World Rankings

Waterborn SUP has achieved the 2 Star award from the SUP World Rankings for their SUP The Creek event. 

Crispin Jones, owner of Kingsbridge-based Waterborn SUP, said he and his team are "so pleased" to be awarded the two-star award from the SUP World Rankings. 

He said: "The only other UK event to achieve such an accolade is the APP World Tour event which happen in London earlier this year, which obviously has huge backing behind it being part of the World Tour. It really goes to show that as a community and organisation we can host some world class level events on the estuary with the right passion."

The SUP The Creek event takes place in the Kingsbridge Salcombe Estuary in October. 

SUP The Creek - Waterborn SUP

Crispin continued: "When I first took over Waterborn back in 2014 it was one of three main goals I had set myself that I felt the school/club needed to achieve. These things take some time, but in October 2015 the first SUP The Creek took place right here in Kingsbridge.

"At this stage it was just a one-day event as a distance race designed to show the upper reaches of the estuary but not explore them fully so people would want to return to find out what is round that next corner. Hopefully inspiring a return trip to the area at a later date.

"It wasn’t until 2019 that it developed into a two-day event with a technical race down at South Sands.

"The GB SUP National series were left short of a technical race to finish the series and with most of the infrastructure in place for SUP The Creek anyway, adding on another race although challenging was possible and it really added depth to the event for all levels of paddlers which received some fantastic feedback.

"Unfortunately, COVID put halt to plans for our 2020 event and there was still so much uncertainty over restrictions for 2021 I didn’t feel it right to host another one until now."

Crispin Jones hosting the award prize giving - Waterborn SUP

Achieving the two-star recognition from SUP World Rankings means that the event can now broaden its horizons and become an even bigger and better event. 

Crispin explained: "It means we can approach hopefully different local businesses who might like to be involved, there is so much we cannot achieve on the limited budget from the competitor’s entry alone and so much more potential we can add.

"I was fortunate enough in my years before taking over Waterborn to compete in some of the worlds top races and always try and pull on these experiences to help make our events stand out. It has also gained a lot more attention internationally and we hope to build on this over the next few years to get more topflight paddlers coming to Kingsbridge and Salcombe to experience SUP The Creek for themselves.

"On a personal level it means so much to us all, we are all passionate paddleboarders here at Waterborn and it really hammers home all the hard work and commitment has paid off and the wider SUP community worldwide can see this. We have a small core team, so we rely heavily on volunteers for this event to work and its down to the local community pulling together that helps achieve this, so it is great recognition for their hard work as well."

SUP The Creek - Waterborn SUP

Crispin and his team are looking onwards and upwards already, looking to "refine and make improvements" to the event at the current scale and they have also relocated their business since the October half term. 

Having been located at the Crabshell Inn since the business started in 2011, they now operate off the slipway in the Quay car park. Crispin expressed his thanks to The Crabshell, saying: "I wish the Crabshell huge thanks for giving me the opportunity to grow the business and I am deeply saddened to leave; however, I wish them all the success in the world with their next chapter and indeed our own!

"As such it has taken a little longer than planned for our debriefs and next steps for SUP The Creek 2023, its certainly going to be a big year for us. Our sister event Head of the Dart is also at the forefront of the events section of the business, which we head up the Water Safety element of, taking place in April.

"Always plenty going on here at Waterborn!"

Crispin took the time to thank all of the sponsors that make SUP The Creek happen, saying that "without their support it really wouldn’t be the community and local business showcase that it is"

He continued: "Salcombe Gin were our main sponsors this year and they have been truly fantastic. Red Paddle Co and Starboard once again covered our main board sponsors for the event and the host of other great companies that provided vouchers, volunteers and equipment such as tables and gazebo’s which is all needed to bring the event together.

"Thank you to Till the Coast is Clear, Coast to Coast Water Safety and St Johns Ambulance for keeping an eye of everyone on and off the water but lastly, the biggest thank you to my family! Not only have they worked tirelessly week after week threading medals, packing competitor bags and generally keeping on top of what’s going on in the run down to the event but put up with me being single-mindedly focused on the business in this turbulent time, without them I would be lost, thank you so, so, much!

If you’d like to give paddleboarding a try, have a lesson, hire a board, go off on a micro adventure / tour or simply join our club sessions we’d love to help you on your paddleboarding journey, visit Waterborn's SouthHams.com listing HERE. They also have vouchers available that make excellent gifts with Christmas coming up!

They can’t wait to see you on the water!