Black Project x GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series 2025 - Round 3: Battle of the Bay

Join Us for an Unforgettable Day of Paddle Racing in Christchurch!

Get ready to hit the water for Round 3 of the 2025 Black Project x GBSUP National Paddle Racing Series – the thrilling Battle of the Bay, proudly hosted by BaySUP! This event is one of the UK's most prestigious paddleboarding races, featuring both Tech and Distance races. It promises high-level competition and excitement for all participants and spectators, including categories for juniors and novice paddlers, and opportunities to try out the latest equipment from leading brands.

Venue

Friars Cliff Beach in Christchurch provides a stunning coastal backdrop for the third round of the 2025 Black Project National Paddle Racing Series. The event occurs right before the Beach Hut Café, offering a picturesque and convenient setting for paddlers of all levels. The beach's expansive shoreline and beautiful scenery create an ideal environment for the races. The venue is well-equipped with modern facilities and a welcoming atmosphere.

Location: Friars Cliff, Christchurch (BH23 4TA) Event Hub: BaySUP Clubhouse, next to Beach Hut Cafe

Host

BaySUP Standup Paddleboarding Club promotes fitness and racing within the paddleboarding community. Its mission is to introduce members to these aspects of paddling and provide them with the tools to flourish, enjoy, and compete at all levels of the sport. Whether participants engage in local, national, or global races, BaySUP is committed to supporting their journey and helping them achieve their paddling goals. The club is proud to host the Battle of the Bay and looks forward to creating an exceptional experience for all paddlers and fans.

Event Highlights & Schedule

Date: Saturday, June 28th, 2025

Key Timings for the Day:

• 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Competitor Check-in (Event HQ - GBSUP Main Tent)

• 9:00 AM: Event Village Opens & Industry Partner Demos Begin

• 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM: Kit Demo Period & Paddler Warm-up

• 10:45 AM: Mandatory Distance Course Briefing

• 11:30 AM: Distance Race Starts

• 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM: Lunch Break

• 2:15 PM: Mandatory Technical Race Briefing

• 2:30 PM: Technical Races Begin (Juniors & Challenge Tour first)

• 4:45 PM: Event Ceremony presented by BSUPA

• 5:30 PM: Event Close

Race Details

Competitive Fleets:

• 14' Hardboard

• 14' iSUP & Starboard Airline Cup

• Juniors (U17 & U14)

• Prone Paddleboard (up to 14')

Novice Fleets:

• Challenge Tour

• Novice Juniors (Ages 8 and up)

• Adult Novice 1km

Event Format

One Day Format The Battle of the Bay will feature a single day of exciting SUP paddling and racing, designed for all skill levels from beginners to competitive paddlers. The day will include both a Distance race and a Technical race.

Distance Race:

• Start/Finish: Beach start and finish.

• 14’ Adult Fleets: Up to 12km

• Challenge Tour: Up to 6km

• Juniors U17: Up to 6km

• Juniors U14: Up to 3km

Technical Race:

• Start/Finish: Beach start and finish.

• Transitions: Beach transition each lap.

• 14’’ Adult Fleets: Up to 5km

• Challenge Tour: Up to 2.5km

• Juniors U17: Up to 2.5km

• Juniors U14: Up to 1km

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).

Start Procedures: We utilise a staggered fleet start. The Distance Race will have a pre-start procedure beginning at 11:20 AM with the first wave starting at 11:30 AM. Technical Races will commence with a 5-minute warning before their allocated start times (Juniors & Challenge Tour at 2:30 PM, Men's HB & iSUP at 3:00 PM, Female HB & iSUP at 3:45 PM). Specific start times are subject to change and will be confirmed at the mandatory race briefings.

Important Information for Competitors

• Mandatory Kit: Leashes are required for all paddlers. Juniors under 16 must wear a full PFD vest.

• Safety First: Our on-water safety teams (Bournemouth Lifeguard Corps & Icom Marine UK) will be present with safety vessels and prone rescue craft. Always follow their directions. Be prepared for the elements, stay hydrated, and plan your nutrition for a full day of racing.

• Public Beach: As this is a public beach, please be mindful of other beach users when moving your kit.

• Race Rules: Full race rules, including details on drafting, penalties, and appeals, can be found on our website. Mandatory briefings will cover all essential information.

Tickets and Registration

Your ticket gives you entry to the event for the specified time and activities. 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.

BoTB Event Prices:

• Competitive Fleets (14' HB, iSUP, Prone and Starboard Airline Cup) - £45

• Junior Competitors - £35

• Challenge Tour - £35

• Novice Juniors - £10

• Adult Novice 1km - £10

2025 GBSUP Calendar

Here are the dates in the 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 - Liverpool Docks - 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 National Sprint Championships

• Nottingham - July 13th

Event Team

Our dedicated event team is here to ensure a safe and successful event:

• Event Director: Scott Warren

• Race Director: Ollie Nawrat

• Deputy Race Director: Mike Lowther (BaySUP)

• Safety Officer: Kevin Jackson

• Check-in Manager: Michaela Afford

• Media Director: Lauren Newman-Warren

• Partner Manager: Sara Maxey

We look forward to welcoming you to the Battle of the Bay for an exciting day of paddle racing!

Don't Forget to Pre-book Your Parking! Parking at the designated event car park is pre-booked only. Please ensure you secure your parking ticket in advance here: https://www.gbsup.co.uk/event-details/botb-car-parking

For full competition rules and further details, please visit: https://www.gbsup.co.uk/_files/ugd/dec8b9_1d412aba3c4d48f6af239cf6f3435479.pdf

Download the event pack here.