Martham Boats is staging the fifth Norfolk Broads Classic stand-up paddleboard (sup) race on Saturday, July 18. Norfolk’s only sup race, which will feature up to 70 competitors, will have an international element this year with American paddelboarders flying in to take part. 

The event, which is supporting Hemsby Inshore Lifeboat, is sponsored by Waterways Holidays and features £800 of prize money, comprises two races. The main 15km race, which is part of the official UK SUP Clubs Series, starts at 2pm from How Hill Staithe, heads down the River Ant, joins the River Bure, then the River Thurne, before ending in Martham. The shorter 6.5km race starts at Thurne at 3.30pm and also ends at Martham.

Ian Curtis from Martham Boats explains: “Five years ago I was looking for something new to run alongside our boat business, experienced paddleboarding in Devon and was hooked. We became accredited as a paddleboarding school and organised our first race, which was from Wayford Bridge to Martham. The feedback we had after year one was that the race was a bit long and we have now settled on the 15km How Hill to Martham route. It’s the second year that we have been part of the official UK SUP Series.”

It costs £25 to take part in the long race and  £15 for the short race (booked before the day of the race). For more information contact Martham Boats, t. 01493 740249 and to register, go to www.marthamboats.com/paddle/norfolk-broads-classic.

Learn how to paddleboard at Martham Boats on a two-hour course costing £30 per person.

Spectators should head to Thurne, where they can watch the long race go past and also the start of the shorter race from the staithe. From Thurne the race route can be followed on foot on the Weaver’s Way from Thurne to Repps, then by carefully crossing the A149 and joining a smaller path along to Martham Staithe.

For information about accommodation in the Borough of Great Yarmouth go to www.great-yarmouth.co.uk, or contact Great Yarmouth Tourist Information Centre t. 01493 846346.

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