There has been an exciting development for all UK based stand up paddle surfers.  We now have our very own organisation that offers insurance (which is vital these days), competitions, sports development and many other benefits.  In their own words :

Key benefits include:

Worldwide third party public liability surfing insurance cover, up to £5 million – well worth having, in our increasingly busy line-ups

Membership pack, including:

• BSUPA t-shirt,
• car sticker
• membership card
• Monthly “Big Strokes” E-zine

and entry into all bsupa events throughout the year – whether you wish to compete or just come and hang out.

Senior Membership – £25 (Full package for individuals who are over 18 Jan 1st 2007)

Junior Membership – £17.50 (Full package for individuals who are under 18 Jan 1st 2007)

Family Membership – £40 (Includes 2 over 18′s & 2 under 18′s)

BSUPA will also be running a series of SUP competitions throughout the year. These will constitute the official British SUP Tour.

Through these schemes we hope to produce athletes who will one day be able to represent Britain in SUP competition at an international/Olympic level. All Memberships run for twelve months from the date of payment. You will be notified by email or post when your membership is due for renewal.

They already have a nice website http://www.bsupa.org with lots of information on it.  If you want to join download the BSUPA Application Form and send it off to them.

The contest schedule for next year is provisional but looks like this :

March 29th – 30th BLU – Bathsheba/Waterhole Classic Perranporth, Cornwall
May 10th – 11th BLU – Oxbow/Wateringhole Classic Perranporth, Cornwall
June 7th – 8th BLU – Citigroup/Freedom Log Jam St Ouens Bay, Jersey
June 16th – 17th BLU – Oxbow/Midsummer Classic Watergate Bay, Cornwall
July 5th – 6th Paddle Round The Pier Brighton, East Sussex
August 21st – 25th Wight Air The Isle Of Wight
September 13th – 14th BLU – Oxbow/Sunset Surf Classic Gwithian, Cornwall
September 27th – 28th BSA – BSUPA End Of Season Grand Final Fistral, Cornwall