A Clear Channel on the River Dart: Icom Radios Provide SUP Race Communication

The 2025 Head of the Dart SUP Challenge held on Saturday April 5th, drew 268 paddleboarders to Devon's picturesque River Dart. A true test of skill and endurance, the annual event sees paddlers navigate a 14km stretch between the historic towns of Dartmouth and Totnes. Widely regarded as the official season opener, it draws competitors from across the country, solidifying its position as the largest SUP event in the UK. Ensuring the safety of participants against the river's challenges was paramount, which is why SUP Event Management chose Icom radios.

At 11:00 AM, under the gentle warmth of a mild and sunny Devon morning the Head of the SUP Challenge officially began. Paddlers raced downstream to Duncannon, where they then turned to battle the current on their return leg to the finish line back in Totnes. The event was a vibrant display of the sport's diverse appeal, with participants of varying abilities competing across four distinct categories: the recreational Leisure Fleet, the more competitive 14' Race Fleet and 12'6 Race Fleet, and the collaborative Dragon and Multi-person Board teams. Adding to the lively atmosphere, many paddlers embraced the spirit of the day by wearing fancy dress, transforming the River Dart into a colourful procession of determination and fun.

With marshals on land and safety teams on the water, the event needed a robust communication solution to keep the day running smoothly. The team of volunteers used a combination of Icom IC-M73EURO Marine VHF and IP503H LTE/PoC handheld radios, a setup that proved to be just what was needed. The IC-M73EURO marine handheld radios aided the safety team on the river, whilst the IP503H LTE handsets kept the marshals connected for smooth operations at the car park and race HQ.

Fiona Batson, owner of SUP Event Management Ltd commented, “The addition of these radios was instrumental in maintaining consistent, clear contact with the Race Directors. This was key when trying to manoeuvre over 150 paddlers on the water but also for the marshals operating at various locations across the site.” She added, “I would like to thank Icom for their support in providing the radios as they proved to be an invaluable asset on the day.”

If you are interested to know more about stand up paddleboarding and Head of The Dart, visit their website at www.headofthedartsup.com or find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/headofthedartSUP.

For more information on our two-way radio systems, call us on 01227 741741 or email our sales team at sales@icomuk.co.uk.

16/06/2025