The ICF Stand Up Paddling (SUP) World Cup 2026 and Paddle UK SUPER Festival arrives in Torbay tomorrow, bringing world-class competition and a packed programme of family-friendly activities on and off the water.

The landmark event, delivered by Paddle UK with us and the English Riviera BID Company as partners, will run until Sunday 28 June. It will bring together over 200 paddlers, from world-class SUP athletes to festival participants of all abilities, transforming Torbay’s seafront into a vibrant celebration of international sport, community activity, and coastal culture.

We will be on site with an engagement stand on Friday and Saturday, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to meet council teams, share their views, and learn more about local services and initiatives.

Racing begins on Friday and will be centred on Torre Abbey Sands, placing Torbay’s iconic coastline firmly in the global spotlight and reinforcing its growing reputation as a premier watersports destination.

Off the water, a weekend-long festival village will feature food, drink, trade stands and live entertainment for all ages. Exhibitors include Paddle UK, Yak Shack, Bays Brewery and a variety of local and national organisations, creating a vibrant and welcoming visitor experience throughout the event.

Opening hours are 9am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9am to 5pm on Sunday, with most trade and food stands operating in line with these times and the bar opening daily from 11am.

With a strong family audience expected, we will be focusing on hearing directly from children and young people about how services and activities can better meet their needs.

Across the two days, colleagues from Tor Bay Harbour Authority will also be visiting the stand to talk about the new English Riviera Beach Standards and the council’s Water Safety Campaign. Following their success at the English Riviera Airshow, partners from Mayfield Pharmacy will also be offering free blood pressure checks on Saturday.

Councillor Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events and Corporate Services, said: “The SUP World Cup places Torquay and the English Riviera firmly on the international stage as a leading watersports destination. It highlights our clean, safe and high-quality beaches and the important role events like this play in boosting tourism and local pride.

“We’re also excited to meet residents and visitors at our stand. This is a great opportunity for young people to share their ideas and help shape how we deliver services in the future. We’d really encourage people to come along, enjoy the event and have a chat with us.”

“Our teams will also be sharing advice on staying safe on the water and looking after our beautiful coastline.”

On Sunday, our Fostering team will be on the stand to talk about Fostering opportunities in Torbay.

The event village will also showcase live music. Here’s the confirmed line-up:

Friday 26 June

• 4pm – Goldwire (ft Roger Styles)
• 6pm – The Shrine – indie rock anthems

Saturday 27 June

• 4pm – Boom Box Babies – energetic pop duo
• 6pm – DJ Fish – soul, disco & house classics, featuring local legend Craig Fisher

Sunday 28 June

• 12pm – Mafia2 (ft Christian Pitocco & special guests)
• 1:15pm – The Blu Funk Trio – funky crowd favourites
• 2pm – I Love Amp – award-winning band and festival favourites

Find out more about the SUP World Cup