Venue: Liverpool Docks, a historic and iconic waterfront location, provides a unique and dynamic environment for the GBSUP Liverpool SUP Festival. The enclosed docks offer calm waters ideal for paddle racing, set against a stunning backdrop of maritime heritage and modern architecture. The event will be headquartered at the Liverpool Watersports Centre, serving as the central hub for race control, check-in, and briefing. Additionally, activities for novice and new paddlers, coordinated by Liverpool SUP Co, will take place at the north end of the docks, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere across the waterfront.
Event: The GBSUP Liverpool SUP Festival, proudly presented by Black Project, is a multi-discaplin event featuring Technical and Distance races as part of the 2025 Black Project x GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series. While Sprint Tech races will also take place, only the Technical and Distance events contribute to the National Series standings. Beyond the competitive racing, the festival includes a wide range of activities for novice and new paddlers, fostering participation and growth within the SUP community. This promises an exciting and engaging experience for all participants, spectators, and those new to the sport.
Host Event Partners: The GBSUP Liverpool SUP Festival is brought to you in partnership with Liverpool SUP Co, Liverpool CC, Canal & Rivers Trust, and the Liverpool Watersports Centre. These key partnerships ensure a well-organised event and contribute to the promotion of stand-up paddleboarding within the region.
Events and Activities: Two days of SUP Paddling, Racing, and Activities for all paddlers, from beginners to competitive racers.
Saturday 19th July:
AquaPaddle Event (details to follow)
Sprint Tech Course (100m) – open competition (not part of National Series)
National Series Technical Course (0.75km lap) – competitive racing for Race Fleet, Challenge, Juniors U17 & U14 (National Series Scoring)
Novice and new paddler activities at the north end of the docks (coordinated by Liverpool SUP Co)
Sunday 20th July:
National Series Distance Course (3.2km lap) – competitive racing for Race Fleet, Challenge, Juniors U17 & U14 (National Series Scoring)
Novice and new paddler activities at the north end of the docks (coordinated by Liverpool SUP Co)
Race Formats (National Series Scoring Events):
Technical Course:
0.75km lap with 7 turns.
On-water start & finish
Race Fleet: 6 laps (4.5km)
Challenge: 4 laps (3km)
Juniors U17: 6 laps (4.5km)
Juniors U14: 4 laps (3km)
Distance Course:
3.2km Full Lap & 1.8km Short Lap.
On-water start & finish for all fleets
Full Course Route: Head up to Salthouse Dock (buoy turn), before heading down to Brunswick Dock (buoy turn), then back up to Watersports Centre to complete 1 lap.
Race Fleets: 4 laps (13km)
Short Course Route: From the Watersports Centre to Salthouse Dock and back, turning at the Watersports Centre for the short lap.Challenge: 2 laps (5.4km)
Juniors U17: 2 laps (5.4km)
Juniors U14: 1 lap (2.6km)
Race Formats (Other Event Races):
Sprints:
Non-Series Race
100m straight distance
On-water start at finish
Provisional Schedule (Race Events):
Saturday 19th July:
8:00 - 9:30 am: Board drop off and competitor Check-in (Watersports Centre)
9:30 am: Tech Briefing (Watersports Centre)
10:00 am: Tech Race (Tech Course)
1:00 pm: Junior Racing (Junior Course)
2:30 pm: Sprint Briefing (Watersports Centre)
3:00 - 5:00 pm: Sprint Competition (Duke’s Dock)
Evening activity (TBC)
Sunday 20th July:
7:00 - 8:15 am: Competitor Check-in (Watersports Centre)
8:30 am: Long Distance Briefing (Watersports Centre)
9:00 am - 11:00 am: Long Distance Competition (Long Distance Course)
1:00pm: Event Ceremony (Watersports Centre)
Post Race Activties TBC
Event Close 3:00 pm
*NOTE - The early start is to clear the later water traffic expected by the commercial operators of Liverpool Docks. This is an agreement we have in place with the harbour master and Liverpool CC*
Mandatory Kit:
Leashes are required for all paddlers.
Buoyancy Aids (BAs) are required for all paddlers.
Competitive Paddlers and Challenge Tour participants may wear inflatable waist belt PFDs.
Novice Paddlers and U14's must wear full PFD vests.
Fleet Notes:
The Starboard Airline Cup competes as part of the 14' iSUP fleet.
14' Hardboard Age Groups and Juniors (U17 & U14) ages are classified by your age at the start of the year (01/01/2025).
Upon completing registration, you will receive your Event Pack, which includes details on the venue and facilities, provisional timings, and registration details for the media platforms we will use throughout the event.
Your Race and Activity pack will contain full event timings, start sequence, procedures, and further details on any event-specific requirements closer to the event date.
Tickets and Registration: For our 2-day events, you can choose to purchase a day or weekend ticket.
Your ticket includes entry to all activities on the day (criteria dependent on your fleet). Novice Juniors and Novice Adult (1km) tickets are weekend tickets only.
Upon registration, you must choose your fleet or activity and complete the relevant details. Once you have registered, you will receive your event pack, which includes details on the venue and facilities, provisional timings, and registration for the media platforms we will use throughout the event.
Paddle UK members receive a special discount: Adult members get 10% off, and Junior members get 50% off. Please see your Paddle UK membership Portal for details on how to apply your discount.
TICKET PRICES Weekend Ticket:
Competitive Fleets (14' HB, iSUP, Prone and Starboard Airline Cup) - £70
Challenge Tour - £55
Junior Competitors - £35
Novice Adults 1km - £10
Novice Juniors - £10
Day Tickets:
Competitive Fleets - £45
Challenge Tour - £35
Junior Competitors - £20
2025 GBSUP Calendar: 2025 Black Project GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series:
RD1 - Super8, Oxford - March 29th
RD2 - Llandegfedd Pursuit, South Wales - May 17th/18th
RD3 - Baysup Battle of the Bay, Friars Cliff, Christchurch - June 28th
RD4 - Beadnell Belta, Northumbria - July 6th
RD5 - GBSUP Liverpool SUP Festival Presented by Black Project - July 19th/20th
RD6 - Big Dippa, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear - August 24th
RD7 - SUP The Creek, Salcombe, South Devon - Oct 18th/19th
2025 British National Championships & Team England & GB Selections:
Paddle Logger Falmouth Bay Open, Falmouth - June 7th/8th
2025 Sprint National Championships Presented by Black Project:
Nottingham - July 12th & 13th