What You Need for a SUP Championship

A SUP championship needs more than race boards and paddles. You need spare equipment, a clearly marked course, water safety gear, communication tools and practical supplies for registration, judging and spectators. Plan quantities around the number of competitors, race heats and volunteers, then add backups for damaged gear and changing weather. This checklist helps you buy or bring the equipment that is most often forgotten until setup day.

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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
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 30 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon tea - 2 boxes
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Bananas - 80 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Energy bars - 80 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 5 kilo
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 4 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 3 kilos
- Vegetarian sliced toppings - 3 kilo
- Whole wheat bread - 25 loaves
- White rolls - 100 pieces
- Multigrain rolls - 100 pieces
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Strawberry jam - 3 jars
- Cucumber - 15 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 12 heads
- Peppers - 20 pieces
- Red onion - 2 kilos
- Pasta salad - 12 kilos
- Potato salad - 8 kilos
- Vegetarian wraps - 50 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 50 pieces
- Falafel - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast - 5 kilos
- Rice - 5 kilo
- Vegetable mix - 8 kilos
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Yogurt dressing - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Strawberries - 5 kilo
- Vegan muffins - 40 pieces
- Chocolate muffins - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 8 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Tea towels - 20 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Bread bags - 100 pieces
- Cooling packs - 30 pieces
- Coffee cups - 150 pieces
- Tea cups - 100 pieces
- Stir sticks - 250 pieces
- Paper food trays - 150 pieces
- Wooden forks - 150 pieces

Tips

Allow at least one race SUP board and paddle for every competitor in a heat, plus spare boards and paddles for damage or equipment changes. Check all leashes, fin fittings and repair kits before competitors arrive.
Prepare the safety setup before the course is placed: life jackets, life rings, throw lines and rescue kayaks should be easy for the rescue crew to reach, not stored under tables or inside a locked vehicle.
Bring enough competition buoys to mark the full course, together with a visible start line and finish arch. Pack spare rope, ties and a repair kit because inflatable or temporary markers often need adjustment during setup.
Use a megaphone or handheld microphone with speakers for briefings, starts and schedule changes. Test extension cords, power strips and power banks before race morning, especially if the venue has limited power.
Plan the shore area as carefully as the water: provide paddle racks, drying racks, clothes racks, waste bins, tables and chairs. Put tents and high tables where participants can change, register and wait without blocking the start or finish.

Frequently asked questions

How many SUP boards do I need for a championship?: Provide one race SUP board for each competitor racing in the same heat, then keep spare boards available for damage or equipment failure. The exact total depends on your largest heat, but a practical plan includes at least 1 spare board for every 10 competitors.
How much safety equipment is needed for a SUP race?: Every competitor should have access to the required personal safety equipment, while the course needs dedicated rescue equipment. Prepare at least one life ring and one throw line for each main safety point, plus enough rescue kayaks and kayak paddles for the rescue crew to cover the course.
What should I bring for the SUP championship start and finish?: Bring a clearly visible start line, finish arch, competition buoys and timing equipment such as stopwatches. Test and position these items at least 2 hours before the first start so the course can be corrected without delaying the program.
When should I order prizes and event equipment for a SUP championship?: Order prizes and any specialist equipment at least 4 to 6 weeks before the championship. Confirm boards, paddles, safety gear, tents, toilets, sound equipment and power access no later than 1 week before the event.

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