World Team GB spot for stand up paddleboarder

Charlie Wagg trains six times a week on various Norfolk waterways

A young stand up paddleboarder has been selected to represent Team GB at the ICF World Championships in Abu Dhabi next month.

HGV technician Charlie Wagg, 20, from Terrington St Clement in Norfolk, began Stand Up Paddling (SUP) competitively four years ago.

He qualified for the event after an impressive performance at the GBSUP National Championships in Cornwall in June.

"I am thrilled but also shocked to be called up - but cannot wait," Wagg said.

The stand up paddleboarder says he "cannot wait to get to Abu Dhabi to represent Team GB"

Wagg has been selected for the technical race at the world championships, which sees more than 300 competitors from almost 50 countries also take part in sprint and long distance events.

Technical racing - over one kilometre - typically starts on the beach, before participants race to the shore, jump on their boards and paddle through an M-shaped or figure-of-eight course marked with buoys.

After a few laps, athletes return to the shore and run up the beach to cross the finish line.

"It is tiring but I love it," Wagg admits. "I train for technical races as I enjoy it most. I like messing about on my paddleboard.

"Distance races are a bit of a long slog and I am not really built for sprints. Technical racing suits me."

Charlie Wagg fixes HGV lorries to fund his passion

Wagg told the BBC he was on holiday when he learned the news of his call-up for the British squad.

He said he remembered taking an extra turn on the course during the selection race, which he thought had cost him his place. Now he is looking forward to testing himself against the world's best paddleboarders.

"I am relieved all the training has paid off. Hopefully I won't come last," he said.

'It costs a lot'

Paddleboarding for now remains a passion for him - not a profession - with little to no formal funding available.

SUP is not an Olympic sport, although it was briefly considered for inclusion in Los Angeles 2028.

"It is a competitive sport appealing to people of all ages," Wagg said.

"It would be good get more young people involved and being in the Olympics would certainly help. Hopefully one day it will be included.

"It costs a lot of money to compete in Abu Dhabi. Paddle UK are paying our entry fees, which is great, but I have to pay for flights and accommodation - which is a lot, especially when you fix lorries for a living."

Wagg is a full-time HGV technician in King's Lynn.

He trains six times a week, on and off the water. He also runs, swims and works out in the gym.

Although he would love to paddleboard full-time, juggling a job alongside training and competition can be exhausting.

"I have set-up a fundraiser as I have to pay for it all out of my own pocket," he said.

"Luckily I have a few sponsors who help out. The local community has been so supportive."

Charlie began paddleboarding at school before racing competitively aged 16

Andy Holland says SUP is a sport that improves with age and that Charlie Wagg - still only 20 - has so much potential

"I remember Charlie turning up on a moped to buy his first board," recalls Andy Holland from North Norfolk Paddle Boards, who also runs the paddleboarding school SUPSLife, based in Hunstanton.

"He has improved over the years, got on the podium in national races and has now been selected for Team GB. It is fantastic," he said.

"He's a great character, so humble but super-committed.

"We have had him surfing and we intend to teach him to wingfoil this winter to learn another skill to help his watercraft.

"Equipment is expensive. He races on boards that cost around £3,500. Hopefully other sponsors will help him out too as he is so talented, he has so much potential and he is inspiring other youngsters to get involved locally."