Costa Brava SUP Race

Elene Etxeberría

This SUP Race de Catalunya competition has already been placed among the most outstanding nationally

Up Suping Albert Laborda. Up Suping

The city of Blanes, where the famous Costa Brava begins, has been hosting a SUP Race competition for several years thanks to the work of the Paddle Surf Blanes SUP Paradise team. An authentic event that has the necessary ingredients to be placed on the calendar of many SUP Racers throughout the country, and that although it is already known within the Catalan SUP Circuit of the Catalan Surf Federation, this year it has taken a great step to the be scoring for the Fesurfing Spanish Cup.

This new edition hosted more than a hundred riders and people from different communities in our country, where the wonderful Blanes Nautical Club welcomed everyone on September 11 and 12 in its magnificent facilities.

On the first day of the event, a 3 km Popular race was offered to the public with a tour in front of the beach of Blanes with portage included, very attractive from the seafront of this city. Although the sea conditions were somewhat strong, these future SUP cracks made the whole cross without problems; even many of them did it disguised, where the most original ones were awarded. Some riders who would participate the next day in the Spanish Cup test were also encouraged. It is about enjoying and doing sports. And also, they were very well pleased with an awards ceremony where almost all the participants took home a souvenir thanks to the collaborating brands of the event.

The second day of the event featured the official SUP Race competitions of the Spanish Cup and the Catalan Circuit. Different courses for different categories but always with the wonderful Costa Brava as the setting. The conditions were super flat, and even though many regular competitors of this circuit could not attend the event due to their participation in other international events, we had great participation in the Elite male and female category. Tomás Sánchez has returned to be the winner, taking the victory of the 12 km. ahead of the local Xavi Marina and Albert Folch. And as for the girls, the Olympian Eli Llargues continues on her way to be among the best paddlers in the country with a great victory in Blanes, followed by Laura Gil and Desirée Sánchez.

The male Amateur category, the young man from Alicante, Iván de Frutos, was the winner and also took the victory in the SUB16. Carlos Alberto Garijo and Javi Hernández accompanied him on the Amatuer podium. The Gipuzkoan Elene Etxeberría took the victory for the girls, and also in the SUB16 category for her; she was accompanied by Paula Ruiz and Mariana Dubra.

As the day before, all the competitors were able to rest and regain strength at the Club Náutico de Blanes facilities before and after the awards ceremony. The great organization of the entire SUP Paradise team should be noted, both in and out of the water. Undoubtedly, one of the great events that SUP has in Catalonia and that does not stop growing every year. Excellent work from Xavi, Neus and their entire team. Next year more and better!