Paddleboarders hope sport has an Olympic future

Crispin Jones and Rachel Booton will be representing Britain at the International Canoe Federation Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) World Championship in Abu Dhabi

Two paddleboarders said they felt proud to be representing Britain at an international event - and hope the sport enters the Olympics.

Crispin Jones and Rachel Booton, both from Kingsbridge, Devon, have been selected for the British team heading to the International Canoe Federation Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) World Championship in Abu Dhabi from 29 October to 2 November.

Both said they were overjoyed to have been asked to represent their country in the sport.

They added they hoped events like the world championships helped raise the sport's profile and helped it appear at the Olympic Games in the future.

Sports at the Olympics are decided ahead of the games by the International Olympic Committee and the host city's organising committee.

The programme for the LA 2028 games has already been decided while the initial line-up of sports for Brisbane 2032 is set to be selected next year.

Crispin Jones said he felt the sport's inclusion at a future Olympics was "definitely on the cards"

Mr Jones, who owns Waterborn SUP in Kingsbridge and gives SUP lessons, is taking part in long-distance races along a 10km (6.2 mile) course in Abu Dhabi.

He said the Olympics was "definitely on the cards".

Mr Jones said: "I would imagine sprint races would be something that's easy to televise and keep people's attentions.

"Personally it's not my favourite discipline as I'm definitely more of a distance and ultra-distance paddler, but I think sprint races would be the future and first steps towards the Olympics."

Rachel Booton said it felt "insane" to be selected to represent Britain

Ms Booton, a PE teacher at Kingsbridge Community College, is participating in the technical races at the competition, which involves a 1km (0.62 mile) course with two left and two right turns.

She said it felt "insane" to be representing Britain.

"To actually get that email come through to say you're representing your country was absolutely unbelievable," Ms Booton said.