The HISC x SUPco.com Round Hayling Challenge 2026 returns to Hayling Island on Saturday 12th September 2026, bringing together SUP paddlers, wingfoilers, windsurfers, kayakers, canoeists and rowing crews for one of the South Coast’s most iconic watersports events.
Established in 1980, the Round Hayling Challenge is not just a race. It is a proper day on the water, with changing harbour conditions, open-water sections, tide, wind, chop and plenty of tactical decision-making. Whether you are entering to compete, complete the course, or simply be part of a brilliant watersports community event, it is the sort of challenge that rewards good preparation.
The SUP Company is proud to support the event once again. Events like this are exactly why we do what we do: helping people choose the right kit, understand their setup, and get more from their time on the water.
View the official HISC Round Hayling Challenge 2026 event page or enter online via SailEvent.
HISC x SUPco.com Round Hayling Challenge 2026: key details
| Event | HISC x SUPco.com Round Hayling Challenge 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 12th September 2026 |
| Venue | Hayling Island Sailing Club, Sandy Point, Hayling Island, Hampshire, PO11 9SL |
| Disciplines | SUP, wingfoil, windsurf, prone, canoe, kayak, traditional rowing craft and ocean canoe |
| Courses | Full Round Island course or Bridge & Back course, depending on craft and category |
| Entry | Advance entry through the official HISC/SailEvent entry form |
What is the Round Hayling Challenge?
The Round Hayling Challenge is a multi-discipline watersports event based from Hayling Island Sailing Club. The full route is an anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Hayling Island, starting from HISC and heading north before taking in the waters around Chichester Harbour, Langstone Harbour and Hayling Bay.
There is also a Bridge & Back course, which heads north from HISC towards a rounding mark east of Hayling Bridge before returning to the club.
That makes the event appealing to a wide range of riders and paddlers. For some, it is a race. For others, it is a personal challenge. Either way, it is not something to turn up to under-prepared. The right board, paddle, leash, buoyancy aid, clothing and safety kit all matter.
Which SUP paddlers can enter which course?
For SUP paddlers, board length is important.
- SUPs under 12’6” may only enter the Bridge & Back course.
- SUPs over 12’6” may choose either the Bridge & Back course or the Full Round Island course.
- Paddleboards are limited to a maximum length of 14’.
That means most all-round inflatable paddleboards are better suited to the Bridge & Back course, while 12’6” and 14’ touring or race-style boards are the more natural choice for paddlers aiming to complete the full circumnavigation.
If you are unsure whether your current board is suitable, speak to us before entering. We can help you work out whether your setup is efficient enough, stable enough and safe enough for the course you are considering.
Choosing the right SUP board for the Round Hayling Challenge
For an event like this, glide and efficiency matter. A wider all-round board might feel reassuring on flat water, but over distance it can feel slow, tiring and harder to keep on course. A longer touring or race-style board will usually track better, carry speed more easily and reduce fatigue.
| Rider type | Best board style | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-time event paddler | Stable 12’6” touring board | Good glide without feeling too twitchy |
| Confident fitness paddler | 12’6” or 14’ performance touring board | Better tracking and efficiency over distance |
| Experienced racer | 14’ race board | Maximum speed and glide if conditions and ability allow |
| Casual all-round SUP paddler | Bridge & Back course on a suitable board | A more realistic challenge than the full circumnavigation |
You can browse our full range of paddleboards at The SUP Company, including inflatable, composite, touring and performance shapes.
For paddlers specifically looking for better glide and distance performance, start with our touring paddleboards. If you are comparing premium inflatable options, our Red Paddle Co and Starboard ranges are both strong places to look.
Do not overlook your paddle
Your paddle is your engine. Over a short casual paddle, a basic paddle will get you moving. Over a longer event like the Round Hayling Challenge, paddle weight, blade shape and shaft stiffness make a big difference.
A lighter carbon or carbon-blend paddle can help reduce fatigue, improve cadence and make the whole event feel smoother. If you are training for the challenge, upgrading your paddle can sometimes make more difference than changing the board.
See our full range of SUP paddles, or visit us at Woodmill to compare different paddle weights and shaft types on the water.
Safety kit and event requirements
The official Notice of Race should always be your final reference, but the key safety points include:
- Personal buoyancy is mandatory for competitors, with minimum 50 newtons of flotation.
- CO2 inflatable personal buoyancy devices are not permitted.
- SUP and wingfoil competitors must wear an appropriate leash suitable for the water conditions.
- Competitors must wear the GPS tracker issued for the event.
- Competitors must carry either a VHF radio or mobile phone while completing the challenge.
- Valid third-party liability insurance is required.
You can shop buoyancy aids, SUP, wing and foil leashes, and paddleboarding accessories at The SUP Company.
Wingfoil and windsurf entries
The Round Hayling Challenge is not just a SUP event. Wingfoilers and windsurfers are part of the atmosphere too, and Hayling is a brilliant venue for wind-powered disciplines.
If you are thinking about entering on a wingfoil setup, the key is matching your board, foil and wing to your ability, weight and expected conditions. Too small and technical, and you may struggle if the breeze drops. Too large and draggy, and you may find the course harder than it needs to be.
For wingfoilers, our Wing & Foil collection is a good starting point. For proper setup advice or demo opportunities, speak to the team at The SUP Co x Lymington Try It Now demo centre.
Can you try kit before the event?
Yes, and for an event like this it is well worth doing.
At our Woodmill SUP Test Centre in Southampton, you can try paddleboards and paddles on sheltered water before buying. That is ideal if you are choosing between a 12’6” touring board, a 14’ performance board, or different paddle options.
For wingfoiling, foils and selected technical kit, our Lymington Try It Now service is designed to help serious buyers test and understand equipment before committing.
Trying kit properly can save you from buying too narrow, too short, too unstable or too technical. It also gives you confidence before event day, which matters just as much as raw speed.
Finance and delivery
If you are upgrading your setup for the Round Hayling Challenge, finance options are available on qualifying orders, which can be useful when investing in a complete board, paddle, wing or foil setup.
You can read more about finance at The SUP Company. Delivery options vary by product, size and availability, so if timing matters before the event, contact the team and we will help confirm the best option.
Our advice before entering
Be honest about your current fitness, experience and kit. The Bridge & Back course is a better fit for many paddlers than jumping straight into the full circumnavigation, especially if you are on an all-round inflatable board or have limited open-water experience.
Choose this event if you want a proper South Coast watersports challenge, a brilliant community day, and a clear goal to train towards.
Choose the Full Round Island course if you are confident paddling, foiling, windsurfing or rowing in changing tidal and coastal conditions.
Choose the Bridge & Back course if you want the atmosphere and achievement of the event, but in a more accessible format.
And if you are unsure, ask. That is what we are here for.
View the official event page, enter the HISC x SUPco.com Round Hayling Challenge 2026, or contact The SUP Company for kit advice.
FAQs
When is the HISC x SUPco.com Round Hayling Challenge 2026?
The event takes place on Saturday 12th September 2026 at Hayling Island Sailing Club.
Who can enter the Round Hayling Challenge?
The event is open to several watersports disciplines including SUP, wingfoil, windsurf, prone, canoe, kayak, traditional rowing craft and ocean canoe. Always check the official Notice of Race before entering.
Can I use any SUP board?
No. SUPs under 12’6” may only enter the Bridge & Back course. SUPs over 12’6” may choose either the Bridge & Back course or the Full Round Island course. Paddleboards are limited to a maximum length of 14’.
Is the Round Hayling Challenge suitable for beginners?
It is not a beginner taster session. It is a proper watersports challenge in tidal and coastal conditions. Confident recreational paddlers may find the Bridge & Back course more suitable, while the full circumnavigation is better suited to experienced paddlers and riders.
What safety kit do I need?
Competitors need suitable personal buoyancy, a leash where required, the event GPS tracker, and either a VHF radio or mobile phone. The official Notice of Race should be checked for the full safety requirements.
Can I test a SUP board or paddle before buying for the event?
Yes. The SUP Company’s Woodmill SUP Test Centre in Southampton allows you to try paddleboards and paddles on sheltered water before buying, which is ideal if you are preparing for an event like the Round Hayling Challenge.
Can I get wingfoil or foil setup advice before entering?
Yes. The SUP Co x Lymington Try It Now service is built around premium wing, foil and technical kit advice, with demo opportunities available for suitable customers.
Are finance options available for event kit?
Finance options are available on qualifying orders at The SUP Company. This can be useful if you are investing in a complete board, paddle, wing or foil setup before the event.
Ready to take on the challenge? Enter through HISC, then speak to The SUP Company if you need help choosing the right board, paddle, wing, foil, leash, buoyancy aid or clothing setup for the day.
Enter the Round Hayling Challenge 2026