Unlike most SUP events, the Head of the Dart follows the route of the river and finishes around 8 miles away from the start line. It takes around 45 minutes to drive between the start and finish points, which creates some logistical challenges.
For this reason, Race Registration is always at the finish location, not the start.
Here’s how it works:
- Paddlers can drop their boards at the start point.
- Paddlers drive to the finish point to park their vehicles and register.
- Paddlers return to the start point via event coach – details below (spaces cost £10 each and can be booked when entering, or by email).
Parking – Totnes
When the finish line is in Totnes, Longmarsh Car Park is our base and the car park is closed to the public on event day. This means paddlers can park for free, but some spaces will be reserved for the organisers, and our water safety and catering teams.
Further parking is available further up the road, as well in Totnes.
We recommend spectators park in one of the short stay car parks and walk down.
Parking – Dartmouth
When the finish line is in Dartmouth, we are based on Embankment Road, by Coronation Park. Parking is suspended and 10-minutes’ vehicle access is only allowed for paddlers dropping off or collecting boards, and registering.
Paddlers must move their vehicles and park elsewhere as soon as they have registered, so that others can access the registration point.
Car parking in Dartmouth is limited, so we recommend using Dartmouth Park & Ride. We always provide a free shuttle bus to take paddlers back to the Park & Ride after the event.
We recommend spectators park in Mayor’s Avenue Car Park or use Dartmouth Park & Ride.
Coaches
It’s essential that all paddlers arrive at the start point in sufficient time for the safety briefing. So we provide a coach service every year that takes paddlers from the registration point back to the start point, once they have registered.
Places on the coach cost £10 each and must be booked in advance – either when entering, or by email.
- Dartmouth pick-up point – Dartmouth Park & Ride
- Totnes drop-off point – Steamer Quay (300m from our base)
- Totnes pick-up point – Longmarsh Car Park
- Dartmouth drop-off point – Coronation Park
Depending on numbers we run two or three coaches at different times to ensure paddlers get to the start in time for the safety briefing. We run to a tight schedule so we’re unable to hold the coach if you are late.
Inflatable boards can be taken on the coach in bags. Unfortunately we don’t have space for any hardboards.
Bags that need to go back to the finish point will need to be labelled and dropped off at the designated spot (details will be in your Paddler Information Pack). If you have any queries, please email headofthedartsup@gmail.com.
