Head of the Dart SUP Challenge

2027 event schedule

This year’s event will take place on Saturday 17 April.

Paddler Information Packs will be emailed to all paddlers 4 weeks before the event. These contain full details of the schedule, facilities, catering, parking locations and essential safety information.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the event day…

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 (spaces cost £10 each and can be booked when registering, or by email).

Pre-register at Red Paddle Co, Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth

Pre-registration – Friday 16 April

10am until 4pm

Red Paddle Co shop, Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth

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This is a great opportunity to talk to the team, catch up with friends and have a paddle at the same time. Red Paddle Co will also have leashes, quick release belts and personal floatation devices available.

Starboard SUP will also have demo kit to look at, and will be available to chat.

Event day timings

This schedule is subject to last-minute changes. If we have to implement our Plan B course route because of adverse weather (Totnes to Duncannon then back to Totnes), the event time will change to 12:30 for the paddler safety briefing, with a 13:30 start.

Details will be confirmed 72 hours before the day, by email.

Because of water flow, each class will be held approximately 20m behind the start line. Paddlers can only approach the line in the last 30 seconds before starting. Any paddlers in the upto 14′ fleets over the line when their wave starts will incur a 2-minute time penalty.

We plan to start the Leisure fleet 30 minutes ahead of everyone else, with remaining paddlers setting off 3 minutes apart. By separating the board classes we give serious racers the chance of a clean getaway, with less chance of ramming or bumping from those around them. It’s also less intimidating for first-timers and less-confident paddlers.

Reef to River Water Safety boats will be in the vicinity and along the course route to direct paddlers to the appropriate areas.