The Celtic Cup Weekend

A whole weekend of paddling, racing, clinics, coaching, giant SUPing and outrigging, there really was something for everyone.

Saturday saw the UK’s stand up paddle community descended on Cornwall to battle it out with the worlds greatest international paddlers such as Connor Baxter, Fernando Stava, Paolo Marconi and Fiona Wylde, as Carbis bay were hosting the UK leg of the Euro Tour.

Before the afternoons race everyone got involved in the pro clinics, a ladies clinic held by the lovely and super fast Fiona Wylde coaching the girls on their technique and race skills and then a very interesting Q & A with paddle legend Jim Terrell.

Onto the racing, during the morning the wind had shifted meaning some alterations to the course, a 4km lap around the bay and into St Ives harbour was to be competed 3 times, so a tough 12km battle commenced. Upwind, downwind, cross wind, the course had everything. It was awesome to watch the worlds greatest battle it out with the UK paddles and see all the race tactics in place.

1 minute after the start, the cruiser class set off for a slight shorter 4km triangle course, again heading into strong headwind and then going back with the wind. In tough conditions it was great to see first time racers get involved and give it their all!

As the evening set in, it was into St Ives town for beers and recovery before Sunday’s action!

On Sunday the sunshine had decided to take a break, but that didn’t put off any of the kids who turned up bright and early for coaching with Glenn Eldridge and Starboards Paul Simmons. In the shelter of the bay  the kids were taught some upwind skills and then how to catch some runners on the way back in. It was so impressive to see the skills of the young paddlers and the future of stand up paddling. They finished off the session with a survivor style race, heading out into wind, rounding a marker buoy and then back with the wind – all super competitive and fighting for top spot!

Next up was the survivor race, 30 plus competitors paddling for the top spot over 5 rounds. The course was into wind, a sharp buoy turn, catching the runners on the downwind leg and then running through the flags to finish.

Brilliant fun to watch, the international guys even jumped on the giant sup for one round and everyone was very surprised with the speed they went, finishing in second place!!

One of the most impressive things seen and much talked about was Connor Baxters beach starts, will definitely be practising those!

Prize giving was up next, with some great prizes from ASI, Carbis Bay Hotel, Robie Robes, Pure Recharge, H20 Pro, Graze, Vita Coco, Off the beaten track and Pro Sport.

The day was still not over and everyone took to the giant SUP in the XL team race, hilarious to watch and take part in! Will be doing a lot more of this over the summer!

Great weekend and can’t wait till next year!

Massive thanks to everyone that came and took part, all those that helped out to make the weekend a massive success!