How to organise a SUP relay from first entry to finish

A SUP relay needs more than boards and a start line. Begin by collecting entries and dietary requirements, then build balanced teams and a start schedule before confirming the venue and water route. Safety planning, permits and a weather check should be settled before participants receive their final information. On the day, inspect every board, paddle and leash, mark the competition area, and keep registration, timing and refreshments moving in parallel.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Invite participants
2 people
2
Open the registration form
3
Process registrations
2 people
4
Collect dietary requirements
5
Assemble teams
2 people
6
Create the starting lineup
2 people
7
Reserve venue
8
Check permits
9
Check the water route
2 people
10
Develop safety plan
2 people
11
Check the weather forecast
12
Send participant information
2 people
13
Confirm deliveries
14
Check the shopping list
15
Do the shopping
2 people
16
Pick up SUP equipment
3 people
17
Technically inspect equipment
3 people
18
Prepare race numbers
2 people
19
Print the match schedule
20
Prepare catering
3 people
21
Chill drinks
2 people
22
Prepare snacks
3 people
23
Set up tables and tents
4 people
24
Set up registration desk
2 people
25
Block off the competition area
3 people
26
Set up buoys and turnaround points
3 people
27
Mark the start and finish lines
2 people
28
Prepare safety equipment
2 people
29
Test sound system
2 people
30
Brief volunteers
3 people

Event

31
Open registration
3 people
32
Hand out race numbers
2 people
33
Hand out paddles and life jackets
3 people
34
Check material fit
2 people
35
Give the safety briefing
2 people
36
Lead the warm-up
2 people
37
Start the first relay
3 people
38
Record intermediate results
2 people
39
Manage exchange zones
4 people
40
Monitor water safety
3 people
41
Refill drinks
2 people
42
Serve snacks
3 people
43
Collect used cups
2 people
44
Announce finalists
45
Prepare the final
3 people
46
Lead the final
4 people
47
Check the result
2 people
48
Present prizes
2 people
49
Serve evening catering
3 people
50
Turn on lighting
2 people
51
Check out the last participants
2 people

Aftercare

52
Take the SUPs out of the water
4 people
53
Rinse SUP equipment
3 people
54
Clear Buoys and Lines
3 people
55
Take down tables and tents
4 people
56
Collect waste
3 people
57
Wash tableware and equipment
3 people
58
Clean the grounds
3 people
59
Turn off lights
2 people
60
Inventory supplies
2 people
61
Store materials in a dry place
3 people
62
Return borrowed equipment
2 people
63
Clear away leftover catering
2 people
64
Take waste to the collection point
2 people
65
Collect securing materials

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

SUP boardsqty 12
SUP paddlesqty 16
SUP Leashesqty 16
Life jacketsqty 20
Spare paddlesqty 4
Competition buoysqty 8
Anchor linesqty 8
Start Line
Finish line
Life ringsqty 3
Throwing hooksqty 2
Whistlesqty 6
Team bibsqty 60
Bib numbersqty 60
Conesqty 24
Stopwatchesqty 4
Waterproof bagsqty 6

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Folding tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
High tablesqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2
Storage cratesqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 12

Equipment

Battery speaker
Wireless microphone
Megaphone
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Battery lampsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Serving traysqty 6
Food containersqty 12
Ice cube traysqty 4

Decorations

Stage-free prize standard
Prizes and medalsqty 12
Team flagsqty 12
Route signsqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Drying racksqty 2

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Open registration early enough to process entries and assemble teams before printing bib numbers and the match schedule. Send participants a deadline for dietary requirements so catering is not based on last-minute messages.
Check the water route at least once before race day and write down launch, turning and finish points. Include the competition buoys, anchor lines and blocked-off area in the safety plan rather than deciding their position on the morning.
Complete the equipment inspection before participants arrive. Check every SUP board, paddle and leash, and keep spare paddles, life rings, throwing hooks and whistles where the safety team can reach them immediately.
Set up the registration desk, tables, tents, start line and finish line before the briefing. Put waterproof bags, team bibs and race numbers at registration so teams do not queue again after the first race.
Keep drinks cold and snacks ready before the first start, not during a break. Allow time to confirm deliveries, set up power banks and the speaker or microphone, and keep the schedule visible for teams and officials.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a SUP relay?: Start at least 4 to 6 weeks before the event. That gives you time to collect registrations, form teams, reserve the venue, check permits and inspect the water route before sending final participant information.
How many SUP boards do I need for a relay?: Plan one usable board per simultaneous racer, plus at least 1 or 2 spare boards if your format allows it. Count paddles and leashes separately, and keep spare paddles available for equipment failures.
When should I check the weather for a SUP relay?: Check the forecast 48 hours before the relay and again on the morning itself. Use the result to confirm whether the route and safety plan still work, and communicate any change before participants travel.
What should be ready before participants arrive?: Have registration, team bibs, the printed schedule, start and finish markers, safety equipment and the competition area ready at least 60 minutes before the first start. Drinks, snacks and the briefing equipment should also be in place by then.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.