Here are answers to some of the common questions we receive about the Head of the Dart.
Registration
Can I register and collect my bib number the week before the event?
No, registration packs are not completed until 2 days before the event.
Can I register others as well as myself at either pre-registration or registration?
No, everyone needs to register themselves as we need to verify everyone taking part.
If my friend registered but is unable to make it, can I turn up and race in their place?
If you’d like to take someone’s place, you must email us at headofthedartsup@gmail.com before entries close (2 weeks before the event), . No changes can be made after this deadline.
If I register at the event but then decide not to take part, do I need to do anything?
Yes – you need to notify the registration team, and return your bib. We have to charge for bibs that are not returned.
Categories and age groups
Is it possible to change my category on the day?
No, this is not possible because of administration issues.
Which boards can be used in the Leisure fleet?
The Leisure fleet is aimed at people who are not looking to race, but wish to complete the course as a personal challenge, or for fun. So we don’t specify which boards can and cannot be used. We would, however, strongly encourage anyone with a race board to enter the Race fleet.
Can 1stplace in the Leisure fleet be recognised?
Everyone gets to take home a finisher medal and their timing, but we don’t offer prizes for positions in the Leisure fleet. Instead, we run a bib number raffle.
Why are age groups not recognised separately?
This would would extend the prize giving session considerably and we know that paddlers are keen to get away (particularly those who have travelled to the event). Although we don’t give prizes for age category positions, we do provide the information in the final results.
General
If I would like to volunteer and help rather than race, can I?
Absolutely, yes! We would more than welcome anyone who is able to volunteer to help on the day. It’s a long day – from 6am to 5pm – but it’s lots of fun, and you automatically get a place reserved in the following year’s race. Find out more on our Volunteering page, then email headofthedartsup@gmail.com to apply.
What should I wear?
Everything you need to know is on our Entry details page.
What do you do if the weather is bad?
To ensure the safety of all participants, we have a tried and tested contingency plan. In the event of strong winds, we will alter the course to start and finish at Totnes. We will communicate to all participants via email and social media no less than 72 hours beforehand. Check your Paddler Information Pack for exact timings.
Can I take part as a prone paddler / kayak / ski / outrigger / boat?
While interest from regular paddler boards remains high, the Head of the Dart SUP Challenge will remain for Stand-Up Paddle Boarding only.
Why do we need to wear a quick release belt (QRB) and personal flotation device (PFD)?
The event takes place on moving water, which presents different risks to flatwater and can include hidden objects. Following a safety review, we decided to make QRB and PFDs mandatory for all paddlers. The reason for adding both is that if you become separated from your board, you will need a flotation device.
Why is there a gap between the finish and prize giving?
As soon as the final paddler has finished, we do a manual cross check of bib numbers and write up the results. We always try to minimise time between the finish and prize giving as we know many people are keen to get home – we strive to keep it to 1 hour from the point the final paddler completes the course. This obviously means that our fastest finishers will have longer to wait.
What facilities are there?
Toilets, refreshments and shelter are all covered on the Facilities page.
Why don’t you use GPS or chip timers and tracking devices?
The cost of implementing these would mean adding £15-20 to entry for every paddler, and we don’t believe everyone would be willing to pay. There are also technical challenges, like lack of power supply at the start and finish locations.
Do we have to pay for bibs?
Everyone taking part in the Head of the Dart Stand-Up Paddle event must wear an event bib. To ensure return of bibs, all participants need to pay a £10 cash bib deposit at registration. Deposits are repaid at the finish (when you receive your finisher medal), once the bib is returned. Everyone safely returning a bib will be given the option to donate their bib deposit to the RNLI (in 2025, we raised £1,600 for the charity through this scheme).
Hopefully this has answered your questions, but if there’s anything else you need to know, please email headofthedartsup@gmail.com. We’ll respond as soon as we can, but please be aware that we are all volunteers and have busy lives outside of Head of The Dart SUP Challenge.