British Stand Up Paddle Association

BSUPA Newsletter

So, as we move on from 2020 – what a year – into 2021 the team at BSUPA would like to take this opportunity to thank all of their trainers, instructors and members for their continued support throughout an exceptional year.

The upside to the year is that paddle boarding as a sport has seen an exponential growth throughout both lockdowns with more and more people enjoying getting out on the water.

As the National Association and lead body for SUP in the UK we have seen a healthy uptake in our membership numbers as more people take advantage of the relatively inexpensive membership that includes Worldwide 3rd Party insurance as standard, giving peace of mind when using your SUP either here in the UK or abroad. We also offer a junior membership and family membership, both of which are at a discounted rate.

We have also seen a huge number of new Instructors qualifying in their level 1 and Level 2 and an increase of 20% to the number of affiliated schools that they can teach from throughout the country; now also including Northern Ireland.

We would love to get to 100 by 2022 so please do give us a call if you would like any more information regarding this.

These increases provide more access and availability for the 30,000 people that stepped onto a paddle board this year with us to upscale their skill level and learn in a safe and fun environment.

We have also seen an increase in our clubs that are affiliated with us. These play a vital role within the community, allowing the individual clubs to raise funds through BSUPA and liaise with local authorities to promote a safe environment for their members. Our cashback system for affiliated  clubs is now up and running. 

Obviously as far as events go for this year – well what can we say – there have been NONE, but we are thoroughly looking forward to 2021 and hopefully being able to get back to pre-coved times along with the rest of the world.

We would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and festive Christmas – hopefully with some SUPPing  involved. We are sad to not be having our annual mince pie SANTA SUP this year but please feel free to send us any selfies of your own SANTA SUP – free membership to the best pic.

All the best

The Team at BSUPA

Ocean Film Festival 2020 – Virtual

All aboard for ocean adventure! Experience an evening of astonishing marine life and incredible seafaring adventures from the comfort of your sofa this autumn!

Going virtual for the first time ever, the Ocean Film Festival features a brand-new collection of mesmerising ocean-themed films, sharing tales from both above and below the ocean’s surface. Witness mind-boggling marine life, wild voyages and spectacular cinematography – plus legendary prize giveaways, exclusive behind-the scenes interviews and much more!

There are two dates to choose from, 25 October and 17 November, with the viewing windows open for 48 hours.

See www.oceanfilmfestival.co.uk/virtual for more info and to book passes.
Dropbox linkhttps://www.dropbox.com/sh/maobk9jqaz7nu0x/AABeNUDhEi763RzGHWoNrei7a?dl=0
Trailers Youtube links:
Short: https://youtu.be/S4XZBBx84j0
Long: https://youtu.be/nKtsJYuoOgc

BSUPA – Return to Paddle Boarding – Covid-19

SUP – out of lockdown!  
 
Today is the first official day that Stand Up Paddle Boarders in England are encouraged to get back on the water as part of our unlimited daily exercise.
 
So, if you are heading out, make sure you stick to social distancing rules and maintain Government guidelines; we don’t want a return to full lockdown.
 
Before heading out; make sure you have checked weather conditions, wind speed and direction, tide times and water flow on rivers. The water is still cool; make sure you wear the correct water wear, check your leash and wear a buoyancy aid for extra floatation. Carry your phone on you in a waterproof bag, not only to get a good pic but to be used for safety. Paddle with a buddy (stay 2m apart) rather than paddle alone. We also recommend that you check your BSUPA membership is up to date in order to provide you with your 3rd party insurance.
 
Keep close to the shoreline and limit your distances to keep you within your skill and fitness levels. Tell someone when and where you are going and when you expect to return. If you are heading out in surf, check for strong rips before heading out and avoid crowded line ups; stay within your limits.
 
We have already heard the RNLI have been rescuing people who have misread the conditions – it is exercise – not radical action – stay within your limits. RNLI lifeguards are not operating on many beaches so check which ones have cover before venturing out.
 
Realise today, or when you head out, how great SUP is as a sport; we have missed it for two months. Embrace it today, get out there, post a pic, please tag #BSUPA and enjoy the ride! 
 
Stay Safe
 
BSUPA team
Simon, Andy, Sam, Paul, Andy, Anni and Dom

You can download the poster here

BSUPA Covid-19 Advice

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BSUPA

Covid-19 pandemic advice for all Paddleboarders

We thought it would be useful to circulate some generic information from us the Lead National Association in the UK for Standup Paddleboarding regarding activities during the current COVID 19 pandemic. 

  • All our recognised schools nationwide are closed and no practical lessons are taking place. 
  • All events nationally are currently on hold, postponed or cancelled until further notice. 
  • All face to face coaching and training courses are cancelled until further notice. 
  • Advice to our entire community of paddleboarders across the UK is: 

‘Don’t go out and SUP’ at the moment

We are aware that a tiny percentage of our community are lucky enough to live on a beach and can walk to go out and SUP (lucky folk):

However, our advice (which is just that…advice) to all our members and all paddle boarders nationally, is please refrain from Paddle boarding currently. Our sport, although totally safe, still bears a risk of accidental injury and equipment failure which at this time is not worth taking and risks placing an extra burden on our NHS. 

Enjoy a walk, a run, a cycle. 

Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives

BSUPA and Coronavirus (Covid-19)

BSUPA & Coronavirus (Covid-19) 

Due to the uncertainty caused by the rapidly evolving Coronavirus situation and our focus on the safety of our members; we have put in place the following measures: 

Instructor Conference on Saturday 28th March, during which participants could revalidate their current BSUPA Instructor qualification, has been postponed until further notice. We imagine it’s likely to be rescheduled for spring 2021. We are aiming for our AGM to be held  by conference call – dial in details will be posted nearer the time. This is a great way to keep up-to-date with all the exciting things that have been happening at BSUPA. 

Instructors -Revalidation – BSUPA Instructor qualifications can be done remotely for the remainder of 2020. You will need to complete and submit a written exam paper, plus a written statement confirming the SUP instruction that you have been doing for the past 3 years and a copy of your current First Aid certificate. If your application is successful, the cost will be £15 for a one year extension. From January 1st 2021 our normal revalidation policy will be reinstated. Please email [email protected] to start the remote revalidation process. 

Schools – It is important for us to follow NHS and government guidelines regarding staff and clients health and the virus. Ensure you have a policy to keep all the contact  areas of your centre and equipment clean. As we stand today, most centres are running courses and it is business as usual but GOV advise is changing daily.Keep your staff and clients informed, create a plan to help your centre, keep the positive message and social media channels working. BSUPA schools present a lower risk than some other sports, we are not a team sport; it is a sport of individuals, therefore, there is no reason right now as to why we can’t keep paddling. This will be good for fitness, well-being and a positive force. When the pandemic passes and it will -people will want to get back outside and back in the water – be ready for that!Of course BSUPA recognised schools should continue to use their Safety Management Systems to robustly assess and mitigate risk.  

SUP – Your safety and that of everybody involved in BSUPA activities is paramount, so please do keep yourself updated with advice from the Government and the NHS, which can be easily obtained online. 

Stay safe out there folks and we hope you can dial in to the AGM .

Regatta London SUP, KAYAK, CANOE – 29th September 2019

Join Team Sparks for this brand new, one-of-a-kind event. Taking over the Thames for one day only, you’ll enjoy:

  • A closed river – no other boats or vessels, no tide and no interruptions
  • SUP, kayak or canoeing 12 miles through the heart of London
  • Taking on a challenge and testing your physical limits
  • Bring your own SUP, canoe or kayak OR get in touch to discuss hiring a vessel
  • Celebrating the environment through sport
  • Taking on a one-of-a-kind challenge for Sparks, raising vital funds for ground-breaking children’s medical research

For further information, please follow this link:

https://www.sparks.org.uk/events/regatta-london/

Sparks joined Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) in January 2017, in a partnership aimed at increasing funding for life-changing child health research. We fund research together, but our history, supporters, fundraising and priorities remain independent. Behind the scenes, we share resources to keep our costs to a minimum and increase the amount of research we can fund.