We are thrilled to reveal that following a successful trial at the conclusion of our 2024 season, the Starboard Airline Cup will be introduced into our 2025 National Series, thanks to our partnership with Starboard SUP UK.
The Starboard Airline Cup provides a platform for paddlers on the Airline boards to progress and compete against like-minded paddlers. With support from Starboard, we expect the Airline Cup to be a competitive, popular and valuable addition to our 2025 National Series. In addition, the Airline Cup will compete within the iSUP category, creating a vibrant, fun and competitive fleet for paddlers to test their skills, hone their craft, and compete for top honours.
Here is what Starboard UK Brand Manager Paul Simmons has to say about the partnership and the Airline Cup:
STARBOARD SUPPORTING GBSUP FOR 2025
As UK distributor for Starboard, we’ve been involved with the SUP racing since the beginning, supporting both events and riders. We’ve witnessed thousands of paddlers enjoying the adrenaline and anticipation on start lines, plus the exhilaration of battling friends and other paddlers at events countrywide. We’ve seen novice paddlers on wide, stable boards progress onto touring, then race shapes and seen elite UK racers become World Champions. At events on rivers, lakes and oceans, we’ve proudly watched youngsters progress from first-timers to becoming well-known racers on the international scene.
It’s healthy to see that SUP events are selling out, with participation in the UK greater than ever. It brings us great excitement to be supporting the race scene, partnering with GBSUP for the 2025 season. The series offers accessible racing for all paddlers and this year features events with a broader span across the country than ever!
With a range that features multiple World-Championship winning composite and inflatable boards, plus a stunning collection of championship-winning carbon paddles, Starboard offer the most complete range of SUP equipment. There’s no better place to showcase these products than the GBSUP race scene, which is why we’re planning to attend most of the series events, offering demo equipment and expert advice in 2025.
The Airline Cup
The most numerous inflatable race boards at events are the Starboard Airline models (the All Star and Sprint). Recognising how popular these models are, we’re introducing the AIRLINE CUP to the GBSUP series. It isn’t technically one-design, as paddlers can choose the model and size that best suits their physique and ability, but All Star and Sprint Airline paddlers will have the opportunity to not only compete against all other racers (whatever they’re riding), but also benchmark themselves against the other Airline paddlers in the Airline Cup. The results come from the main GBSUP distance races and are published in addition to the GBSUP National Series results, with Starboard providing prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female riding Starboard Airline boards (up to 14ft). So someone placing first on an Airline in the GBSUP 14ft inflatable division wins both the GBSUP inflatable division and the Airline Cup. Full details about the Airline Cup will be on the website shortly.
Wishing everyone a great start to the season, see you on the start-line!
Paul Simmons – STARBOARD UK
You can enter our 2025 National Series and the Starboard Airline Cup on our website event pages here.
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