SUP Championship Checklist

A SUP championship needs more than boards and a start line. You must confirm the water venue, secure permits, build a safety plan and prepare clear participant rules before registration opens. In the final weeks, focus on volunteers, judges, rescue crews, race numbers, catering, toilets and the match schedule. This checklist gives you the main planning sequence, including the equipment and operational details that are easy to arrange too late.

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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

Confirm the competition venue
Apply for competition permit
Inform the water manager
Set out the course
2 people
Prepare safety plan
2 people
Determine the weather scenario
2 people
Draw up participant rules
2 people
Create registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Open registration
Approach sponsors
2 people
Order prizes
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Assign judges
Arrange rescue crew
Book catering
Reserve toilets
Check power supply
2 people
Create the parking layout
Publish the program
Send participant information
2 people
Prepare race numbers
2 people
Create the match schedule
2 people
Design route signs
Create volunteer schedule
2 people
Print first aid protocol
Check the weather forecast
Close the participant list
Do the shopping
3 people
Check equipment
3 people
Assemble starter packs
3 people
Prepare signs and banners
2 people

Event

Inspect venue
3 people
Hold a safety briefing
4 people
Cordon off the area
3 people
Build party tents
4 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up the registration table
2 people
Set up catering point
3 people
Mark the finish area
3 people
Place buoys in the water
4 people
Set up the start line
3 people
Check rescue equipment
2 people
Set up match equipment
3 people
Set up judges' table
2 people
Receive participants
4 people
Hand out race numbers
3 people
Check registrations
2 people
Give participant briefing
3 people
Lead the warm-up
2 people
Assist with the start of the competition
5 people
Position rescue boats
4 people
Register arrivals
3 people
Record split times
2 people
Guide participants
4 people
Distribute water and fruit
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Check results
2 people
Prepare the awards ceremony
3 people
Announce the winners
3 people
Present prizes
3 people
Serve participants' meal
4 people
Inform the audience
2 people
Register lost property
Check out the last participants
2 people

Aftercare

Remove buoys from the water
4 people
Gather competition materials
4 people
Take down tents
4 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Collect waste
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean the catering area
2 people
Clean the grounds
4 people
Store materials dry
3 people
Return rented materials
2 people
Publish results
Thank participants
Return lost property

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 50
High tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Race SUP boardsqty 30
Spare SUP boardsqty 4
SUP paddlesqty 35
Spare paddlesqty 6
Leash bandsqty 35
Life jacketsqty 35
Life ringsqty 6
Throw linesqty 4
Competition buoysqty 18
Start Line
Finish arch
Paddle racksqty 3
Inflatable pumpsqty 6
Repair kitsqty 3
Drying racksqty 4
Rescue kayaksqty 2
Paddles for kayaksqty 2
First aid kitsqty 3
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 6
Whistlesqty 10
Reflective vestsqty 15
Waterproof notebooksqty 6
Emergency blanketsqty 10

Equipment

Megaphoneqty 2
Handheld microphoneqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Tablet for registrationqty 2
Printer
Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Waterproof coversqty 10
Flashlightsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving traysqty 8
Water jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 8
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Food glovesqty 4

Decorations

Bib numbersqty 40
Wristbandsqty 100
Route signsqty 12
Sponsor bannersqty 8
Stage backdrop
Barrier tapeqty 8
Conesqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Dustpan and brushqty 4
Broomqty 4
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Disinfectant sprayqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Start with the venue and water permissions. Confirm the competition site, apply for the permit and inform the water manager before publishing the event or opening registration.
Set the safety plan before finalising the course. Match rescue kayaks, life jackets, life rings, throw lines and spare boards to the course layout, then define what happens if weather conditions change.
Give registration a firm closing date at least 7 days before race day. Use the final list to collect dietary requirements, prepare race numbers, assign heats and create the match schedule.
Recruit more volunteers than the minimum number of course positions. You need people for judging, registration, participant guidance, the start and finish area, and backup cover when someone is delayed.
Complete the site logistics during the last week. Check power for speakers and microphones, place toilets and waste bins, confirm parking, and test pumps, repair kits, stopwatches and communication equipment before participants arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a SUP championship?: Start venue confirmation, permits and water-manager contact at least 8 to 12 weeks before race day. Open registration only after the safety plan, course concept and participant rules are clear.
When should SUP championship registration close?: Close registration about 7 days before the event so you have time to process entries, collect dietary requirements, prepare race numbers and publish the schedule. Set an earlier deadline if you expect many heats.
How many safety crew members does a SUP race need?: There is no fixed number without knowing the course, water conditions and local rules. Define rescue coverage for every course section, then book the required rescue crew and prepare at least one backup response plan before race day.
When should I publish the SUP championship program?: Publish the program at least 3 to 5 days before the championship, after registrations, heats, judges and start times are confirmed. Send participant information separately if competitors need arrival, parking or equipment instructions.

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.