Head of the Dart 2024
By David Partridge
I’d hope you like the sunshine, we paid a lot for that! Was the introduction to the Head of the Dart Challenge from Paul Simmons one of the Race Directors. Well a huge group of paddlers basked in it in a great day on the Dart.
The Head of The Dart race started as a rowing race, between Totnes at the top of the tidal River Dart and Dartmouth. Some 14 years ago a couple of paddle boarders entered the race, the following year more, and suddenly paddle boards were posting results in the middle of the rowing times. The event has grown over the years so Fiona Batson, Crispin Jones and Paul created a stand alone paddle board race then challenge catering for 300 paddlers.
The ethos of the event is safety and sustainability. Chatting with Crispin and Paul both see the need for ‘entry level’ challenges where average and social paddlers can take part in races with some of the elite SUP riders. The Dart provides a beautiful 13-14 km route along a river with great views and wildlife, a seal bobbing in the water, kingfishers and a lot of ducks and swans witnessed the race this year.
The challenge organisation behind the scenes is evidenced by the smiling volunteers shepherding you into the car parks for unloading, herding you onto busses for transport between the start and finish or ferrying you back and forth. On the water a dedicated team provide safety cover from smart Red rescue SUPs or boats.
The serious competitors this year included Starboard team riders Hector Jessel and Holly Pye taking the male and female races with Marie Buchanan third. Veteran Bruce Smith took an impressive second place just a week after SUP 12, Karen Greener his partner winning the female inflatable category to help fill their drinks cabinet with awards and prizes from the generous sponsors Red, Salcombe Gin and others. Many travel to this event which has a special place for many on the race circuit with many old and new friends sharing wisdom and tips in the waiting zones.
The entries are very mixed with faster ‘racers’ using hardboards but a whole plethora of inflatables, mega sups and Dragons also made it down the course.
The event ethos though is all about challenge, new paddlers and old are all welcomed with a large leisure fleet, Dragon races and special challenges for Red boards. Red owners were delighted with special gifts at registration.
The practicality of taking part is simplified by the organisers well written information packs. Essentially enter, and follow the instructions. You must have a PFD and a waist quick release, watch out for the ferries and follow the course ( the latter being simple with some stellar paddlers out front showing us mortals the route). The event Almost always sells out so if you are interested next year mark your calendars now!. Crispin also runs a sister event to bookend the SUP season exploring the Salcombe and Kingsbridge estuary called SUP The Creek and entries for this have just gone live.
For the second year in a row the event has managed the full route, in 2023 it ran up the river from Dartmouth, this year Totnes to Dartmouth. Nearly £1000 was raised to help the Dartmouth RNLI relocate their lifeboat station, new and old friends united.
For SUP clubs this event is also a great way to introduce new paddlers, for Chelmarsh SUP club six paddlers came down to the event with great paddles by all, Matthew Terry and Maria Roche had great times in the leisure fleet, and Working their way forward in the Race results Claire Todd, Colin Todd (posting a 1 hr 40) both racing here for the first time and Andrew Pettifer all did brilliantly, Andrew in particular managing a huge leap forward. We met the regulars from Bartley and a whole contingent from Norfolk championed by Martin and Nat Rendle, who both were pleased with their race results. The club runs regular Sunday 5km training paddles where new paddlers can learn from some of the more experienced.
We had absolutely nothing to complain about and Paul thanks for the sunshine!
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