BSUPA was founded in September 2007 from an idea by Olaus McLeod. In October 2007 Bill Fitzhugh, Grant Winter, Simon Bassett and Matt Argyle met to officially create BSUPA as an association to represent the interests of the stand up paddle surfer.  Olaus negotiated a membership scheme deal with the British Surfing Association and BSUPA was added on to the BSA’s club scheme so to provide third party insurance for its members.

In April 2008 BSUPA became a Company Limited by Guarantee. In 2008 Simon Bassett and Matt Argyle created, wrote and ran the worlds first national stand up paddle surfing and racing series in the world, appointing national champions at the end of the season (with input from Adrian ‘Shag’ Howell, John Hibbard and Neal Gent).   Events were held at West Wittering, Gwithian Beach, Isle of Wight and Newgale.   In 2008 BSUPA committee members (Bill, Simon and Matt) attended the Outdoors Show at the NEC in Birmingham to promote SUP inland, Olaus and Bill attended the Bedford River Festival to promote inland SUP.  BSUPA were also represented at the SurfShop Expo 2008 and ran fun events at Paddle Round the Pier (Brighton) and Animal Windfest (Poole).

In 2009 Richard Marsh, Claire Blacklock and Steve Carter joined the committee as Bill Fitzhugh and Grant Winter resigned.   In 2009 once again BSUPA ran a national series with events in West Wittering, Gwithian, Swansea and Watergate Bay.   BSUPA sanctioned events for Paddle Round the Pier and the Animal Windfest.   BSUPA chairman Matt Argyle entered into the process of getting BSUPA recognised as the National Governing Body for stand up paddle surfing with Sport England. Simon Bassett attended the Beach Safety and ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) meeting in Cardiff to represent BSUPA’s members interests.   BSUPA worked with the RNLI to create a safety guide for SUP.

In 2010 Jock Patterson joined the committee and Steve Carter resigned.   In 2010 BSUPA had its own insurance policy (underwritten by Royal and Sun Alliance) which allows BSUPA to be separated from the BSA scheme and totally independent as an association.   BSUPA negotiated with British Waterways and the Environment Agency for members to have discounted licenses for access to inland rivers, lakes and waterways.