Jubilee bank holiday weekend sees the return of the family-favourite Venus Riders Family SUP Championship at Blackpool Sands from June 2-5.

The free stand-up paddleboarding event is now in its third year and organisers the Venus Company are expecting to see many familiar faces return in an attempt to claim this year's title.

In a change to previous years, the free family event will start on the Saturday, with the finals being held on bank holiday Tuesday to allow as many locals who aren't on holiday to take part.

The competition is open to people of all abilities from age eight upwards.

All competitors will receive a free Weird Fish T-shirt for entering and have the chance to win some top prizes, including a SUP board from event sponsors Red Paddle Co, and others from Helpful Holidays, Weird Fish and Xcel.

The SUP Championship was launched by the Venus Company in 2010 to introduce people to the joys of the sport and to help achieve their mission of putting Blackpool Sands on the map as the place for SUP in the UK.

Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP for short, is a relatively new watersport to hit the UK shores and originates from traditional Polynesian ocean culture. Standing on a long board, you glide across the surface of the water using a long paddle.

Unlike surfing, SUP doesn't require waves and so is ideally suited to the calm waters of south Devon and particularly Blackpool Sands.

In previous years over 100 people of all ages and abilities have entered the competition in the quest to be crowned the SUP champion of their age group.

Organisers are again expecting a big crowd for the free event over the Jubilee weekend and so advise people to arrive early to guarantee their place.

The free Venus Riders Family SUP Championships will be held at Blackpool Sands between 10am and noon from tomorrow until Tuesday.

Tomorrow, there is also a chance to see some of the top paddleboarders in the country showcase their SUP skills as they compete in the Blackpool Sands SUP Classic.

Further information can be found online at http://www.lovingthebeach.co.uk">www.lovingthebeach.co.uk.