Torbay has firmly established itself as a world-class water sports destination following the successful delivery of the ICF SUP World Cup 2026 and Paddle UK SUPER Festival, which brought elite athletes, global attention, and lasting legacy opportunities to the English Riviera.

Over several days of high-energy competition, the Bay welcomed 190 paddlers from 16 countries including world-class and festival participants of all abilities, competing across a varied programme of races that showcased both athletic excellence and the English Riviera's unique coastal environment.

Alongside the world-class sport, the event delivered a vibrant festival atmosphere, transforming the waterfront into a lively, family-friendly destination. Visitors enjoyed a packed programme of activity both on and off the water, with live entertainment, a bustling event village, and a diverse range of food, drink, retail, and information stalls creating a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout the weekend.

The event attracted spectators across the five-day festival, with the seafront coming alive as a vibrant hub of activity for both visitors and residents. The event stood out for its distinctive approach, moving away from a standard competition format to create something truly tailored to Torbay. Courses and race formats were shaped around the natural characteristics of the coastline, delivering dynamic, spectator-friendly racing that made the most of the Bay’s setting and created a memorable experience for competitors and audiences.

Elite athletes from across the world praised the event, highlighting the challenging conditions, the quality of organisation, and the atmosphere generated across the waterfront. The combination of technical and endurance racing tested competitors across multiple disciplines, with more than 75 races contested across sprint, technical and distance categories within both the ICF World Cup and Festival competitions. The programme featured 54 event categories across the two competitions, with medals awarded across junior, open and masters divisions, highlighting both the depth of competition and the international spread of success.

The varied programme also provided an exciting spectacle for spectators, drawing crowds throughout the event period. With podium success shared across a diverse range of nations, the event underlined the international calibre of competition on display.

The presence of world-class athletes competing alongside emerging UK paddlers provided inspiration throughout the festival. Local paddlers took part, demonstrating strong local engagement and community involvement.

The festival village played a central role in the event’s success, with 22 traders and exhibitors contributing to a lively and engaging visitor experience and encouraging people to spend more time on the seafront. The event also delivered a strong boost for Torbay’s economy, attracting visitors and increasing footfall across the area, benefiting local businesses including hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Just as importantly, it showcased the English Riviera as a premier destination for outdoor sport and major events, reinforcing its appeal for future national and international competitions.

Paddle UK, as event organisers, led the delivery of the ICF SUP World Cup 2026 and Paddle UK SUPER Festival, working closely with partners Torbay Council and the English Riviera BID Company, alongside sponsors, local businesses and delivery teams. Their combined expertise, support, and collaboration ensured the event met international standards while celebrating Torbay’s unique character, resulting in a safe, high-quality, and highly successful event.

Ashley Metcalfe, Chief Executive of Paddle UK, said:

“The ICF SUP World Cup 2026 and Paddle UK SUPER Festival has been an exceptional showcase for stand up paddleboarding, for Torbay, and for the power of bringing people together around the water.

“From world-class athletes and festival paddlers to local families, volunteers, partners and businesses, the whole community has played a part in creating something really special. We are incredibly grateful to Torbay Council, the English Riviera BID Company, our sponsors, stakeholders and everyone who helped deliver such a high-quality, welcoming and memorable event.

“This weekend has shown not only the excitement and accessibility of stand up paddleboarding, but also the lasting impact events like this can have — inspiring more people to get on the water, supporting local communities, and helping to build a strong legacy for paddlesport in Torbay.”

A key focus throughout has been the long-term legacy of water sports in Torbay. The event has already helped to generate increased interest in paddleboarding, creating new opportunities to encourage participation and support the growth of the sport across the Bay.

Central to this ambition is the development of facilities such as the Meadfoot Watersports Hub, which will provide a dedicated base for paddlers and support a wide range of activities, helping to build on the momentum created by this event.

We have also worked closely with partners, making the new inflation station on Torre Abbey Sands free across the weekend, supporting both competitors and local paddlers. The station was well used across the event and adds to the growing legacy of three permanent inflation stations available across Torbay, including one at Meadfoot, with the third at Anstey's Cove which is independently owned.

The success of the ICF SUP World Cup 2026 and Paddle UK SUPER Festival also strengthens the case for Torbay to host future competitions, training camps, and community-focused initiatives.

The event marks an important step in a longer-term vision to position Torbay as a leading UK destination for stand up paddleboarding and water sports, combining high-profile competition with accessible opportunities for residents and visitors to get involved.

Councillor Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events and Corporate Services, said:

"Seeing families, young people and visitors enjoying the ICF SUP World Cup 2026 and Paddle UK SUPER Festival has been fantastic for Torbay. The atmosphere across the weekend showed exactly what makes the English Riviera so special - a community that comes together, embraces new experiences, and makes the most of our beautiful coastline."

"This event isn’t just about three days of world‑class competition; it’s about what comes next. The interest we’ve seen from local families and new paddlers is a huge boost for our long‑term plans to grow water sports in Torbay. From future facilities like the Meadfoot Watersports Hub to more opportunities for residents and visitors to get involved, the legacy of this weekend will help strengthen Torbay’s position as a leading UK destination for outdoor sport and active lifestyles."

"We’re grateful to Paddle UK, The English Riviera BID Company, our partners, local businesses and everyone who took part. Together, we’re building something that will benefit our community for years to come."

Photo credit: Gary Bowden