Supsail "World" Championship Race to be held at Maidenhead Sailing Club
by Nick Robinson 7 Oct 2025 23:27 AEDT
11 October 2025
Supsails at Maidenhead © Nick Robinson
We have two places left for the World's first official Supsail race at Maidenhead Sailing Club (MSC). Nick Robinson will be hosting and will be the race officer for the event. The course will be navigating a number of buoys around the lake.
Race rules are RYA based with the following variant: Paddleboarders can paddle the upwind legs of the race but will then need to Supsail the downwind/broad reach legs. The race will be one heat with all competitors starting at the same time and will take approximately 30-40 minutes. There will be prizes for the fastest adult male, adult female and junior (under 18).
Paddleboarding is a glorious way to travel around on the water - you can go on any type of water - lake, river, canal, estuary, sea and have a fun adventure with minimum effort. When the wind is puffing on your back though, it is quite the delight to catch that wind with a sail and steer your paddleboard with your feet. The Supsail is the only sail on that market that can allow the user to toggle between the power of the paddle and the thrill of the sail in less than 10 seconds. The paddler/sailor has the option of doing both depending on the conditions.
Nick Robinson has been competing with the Dinghy fleet at Maidenhead Sailing Club all year and has helped gather enough data to generate a handicap for a Supsailor. A few brave souls have joined him in racing the dinghies on light wind days. We have a limited supply of loaner supsails, supsails will be reserved on a first-come first-served basis. There will be a lot of beginners in the race, so although there will be formal time keeping, there will be informal coaching and guidance for all those looking for it.
Please bring your own paddleboard, paddle, buoyancy aid, supsail (9 loaner ones will be provided), appropriate water attire (the water is still warm, short wetsuit or rash vest with a water tight windstopper jacket will suffice).
Timings - Saturday 11th October (this Saturday)
- 1000 - Arrive at Maidenhead Sailing Club for some precoaching / loan of Supsail for those borrowing them
- 1030 - Race Briefing
- 1100 - Race Start time
- 1145 - Race Finish
- 1200 - Prize awards and celebratory drinks at the Club House.
Race entry fee of £15 for non club members.
Contact: Nick Robinson | +44 7801 028 058 |