ThePADDLER 14
WORLD SURF KAYAKING
Whilst the national teams have been spending the last three months with their final preparations for the upcoming World Surf Kayaking Championships , the rest of the surf kayaking community has been having a great time enjoying one of the best surfing seasons the UK has had for several years .
Bude , the traditional home of surf kayaking in the UK , will be hosting the 2022 World Surf Kayaking Championships between 29th September and 9th October this year . This small North Cornish coastal town has been the go-to surf location for generations of UK paddlers ever since the founders of the BCU began to visit Bude every September in the 1960s , referring to this annual trip as ‘ Bude Week ’. The relaxed and friendly attitude of the local surfers and surf lifesavers has meant that kayakers have always been welcome in this corner of Cornwall with plenty of places to surf both north and south of the main town .
The focus of hosting the World Championships has given the sport of surf kayaking a real boost , and various groups have already benefitted from coaching and development opportunities . Clubs have been encouraged to come down and benefit from some of the best surf kayaking coaching in the world . Women ’ s development programmes are in progress , as is a junior development plan .