Pablo Codesido, Santiago Mencías Calderón, Albert Asenjo, Ensis, SIC, Buenaventura SUP & Surf School, Rabadán, C.D.Parres, Sanxenxo SUP Fest, C. Paddle
Surf Manilva, Rodrigo Moral, Nico Arnedo, Up Suping.
PHOTOS
Gewn Marche, Rabadán, Pablo Jiménez, @kodamaimagen, Harry Viewer, J.Broulliet, MTH Sport, Sean Evans, Pablo Franco, ISA, Jersson Barboza, A. Asenjo, Ensis, EuroTour, @georgiasphoto,Pedro Vasconceles, Mario Entero, Kurro Díaz, Carlos Marich, Frank Chicama, Aitor López, Yacht Club Saint Tropez, Nick Gandano, Shannon Stent, Rodrigo Moral, Jersson barboza, MedialunAventura, FederArte, Ariel Rodríguez, Carlota Parras, Ensis, Nico Arnedo.
COVER
P. Vasconceles, C. Parras, K. Díaz, @kodamaimagen
BACK COVER
Naslo Bustamante
UP#46
edito by Nico Arnedo | @nicodinovo_sup
The first thing that may have surprised you about this magazine is the cover. You’re used to put some action pictures, or pictures of some of the brands or sponsors of Up Suping, but now you’ve found yourself with a kind of collage. To tell you the truth, I wanted to do something like this for a long time, and Up#46 had to serve as an experiment. Why these images, simply to try to remember those moments of intensity, effusiveness and joy that all of us who love this sport have; regardless of age, sex, place and situation.
100% of the content of this issue has been created to go in that direction, with information from different places, people and events that have somehow caught our attention over the past few months. In addition, giving more and more space to foil, which is gaining so many followers and that visually, for my taste and I know that most of our followers, offers wonderful images where nature is the common thread, as in the Stand Up Paddle. From Up Suping we have always worked to offer something different and quality, simple and at the same time entertaining. And we believe we have kept it throughout these 46 issues.
And although the year is not over for us, we have already established some changes for 2025. One of them will be to produce 3 issues, instead of the usual 4 per year. The objective is to have a little more time to elaborate the contents, to give margin to the brands and events to be present in the different moments of the year, and to gain time in other areas of Up Suping; such as travels, post contents, website, etc. When you have been with the same project for more than 12 years, it is important to make changes to give freshness and adapt to the day to day, without losing our values.
And of course, the image of this Edito will surely surprise you. But when that moment happened, that instant, and also to see it live, I was already thinking of asking my friend Sean Evans for an image of this unforgettable memory. I am very happy for each one of them, because I have seen them grow, laugh, cry, etc... I can say that Up#46 has a little bit of all these feelings, in a year of learning and adaptation, it was not easy at all. But with the hope that everything that comes from now on, will be the best thing that can happen to us. Ladies and Gentlemen...Welcome to Up#46!
S. Evans
Last 6th of October 2024 took place the first event of the Championship of the Canarian Federation of Long Distance and Spanish SUP Cup with the participation of fifty athletes from all over the Canary Islands and the attendance of high level riders from different parts of the islands.
Gwen Marche
Buenaventura Sup & Surf school
The event was organised by the Club Náutico Fuerteventura and the Town Hall of Puerto del Rosario, whose representative, Jaran Rodríguez, director of the Buenaventura Sup & Surf school, highlighted the importance of holding this type of event because ‘Stand Up Paddle Race is a discipline that has a lot of young riders in the Canary Islands, and it is important to encourage the Canarian young riders and the already consolidated riders who train in their respective clubs throughout the year to continue training and preparing for the event with events of this size.
The conditions of the day’s was perfect, with a calm sea and a light breeze that was blowing throughout the day. The elite course bathed the sea of boards along the distance from the sports bay to Playa Blanca, where the locals who were strolling along the avenue that morning stopped to watch the riders coming and going. It should be noted that the municipality of Puerto del Rosario has consolidated itself as an excellent race course for the 3 queen disciplines of the SUP Race: long distance, beach race and sprint, as the infrastructure, access to the sea, direct flight connections and the climate give an extra value to our Majorero coast.
In the men’s elite category, the winner was David Leiro, very well ahead of the second classified young Canarian Rubén Salgado and closing the drawer a veteran paddler Mauricio Correa.
The women’s category was a special highlight as Alba Frey, recently proclaimed ISA world champion in the sprint and team category, stood out in the lead from the first meters, demonstrating her great level of form in all disciplines. Second place went to Erica Revil, a great connoisseur of the majorero waters, and third place went to Claudia Luchetta, a local from the bay of Puerto del Rosario.
In the U18 category, the young Bianca Toncelli was the winner of her category, where she obtained an outstanding time, aiming high in her sporting future. The young Gran canarian Cristopher Mejias climbed to the top of the podium SUB 18, these two young promises represented the Canarian team in the last Cto. of Spain by autonomous communities, where the Canaries took the title one more year.
We highlight the Master and Kahuna categories, especially the presence of Iballa Ruano Moreno, one of the most awarded and active canarian legend in water sports is concerned, thanking from the organization for their support in being one more in the water and demonstrate that no discipline resists this canarian professional sport. In the men’s category Eduardo Diaz pioneer in the Canary Islands of this sport made us enjoy the presence of his team SECONDREEF where in all categories swept demonstrating that they are the reference quarry in the Canary Islands, and of course his teacher was demonstrating that he is still in shape and enjoying on the board.
The twinning of the two existing quarries in the Canary Islands, Buenaventura SUP & SURF and SECONDREEF, whose work is essential for the SUP in the Canary Islands does not disappear. The juniors were an important part of this event, as it is because of them that we are motivated to organise sporting events and promote the sport among the local youth of the municipality.
The most striking feature of this event has been the large participation in the Amateur and Open categories, with more than the Elite participants. Thanks to them the bay has had colour and has been filled with smiles where many of the Amateurs were their first experience in competition and promising to return in future events. In short, the capital of Fuerteventura is reaffirmed as an important bet for the future due to its magnificent water sports field for the practice of all types of stand up paddle.
We would like to thank the organization of the Club Náutico Fuerteventura and the Puerto del Rosario Town Hall, especially the sports council, the canarian Surfing Federation, the Fuerteventura Cabildo, sponsors, toilets, lifeguards, members of the Buenaventura Sup & surf School team, security and clubs attending the event. See you next year.
TAGUCHI
A WONDERFUL STORY OF EFFORT AND CONSTANCY
Pablo Franco. Pablo Jiménez. EuroTour.
Trips, competitions, events with a great moments...How do you describe all these years of great adventures thanks to Stand Up Paddle?
I have nothing but gratitude for this. I have had many experiences through stand-up paddle boarding. I am now 21 years old, but I have been on 27 overseas expeditions. I have participated in races in many countries, including Europe, America, El Salvador, Australia, and Asia, and have met many people, learned about their cultures, and interacted with them. I don’t think I would have had this experience if I hadn’t done stand-up. And I am most grateful for the support of my family, who allowed me to continue with stand-up paddling.
We have seen you, being very young, participate in top events such as the PPG and the George Paddle Challenge. How were those first competitions with great international riders?
The first international race I participated in was the PPG in 2016. I had only started stand-up paddle racing 10 months ago, but the Yasu couple, who own a shop called Paddle Hayama, participate in the PPG every year, and they took me there. At that time in Japan, there were very few juniors and I was racing with adults, so I remember being very happy to be able to race with people my own generation.
PPG was the best race I’ve ever been to and it’s one of my best memories. Not only the race itself, but the atmosphere at the venue, the scale of the race, the format, everything was special, and for me with a little racing experience at the time, everything was new and a great experience.
Tell us about your experience this year participating in the EuroTour events in Spain.
The reason I participated in the Eurotour this year was because I learned that since the Eurotour was held over four consecutive weeks, I could compete in four Eurotour events in one trip. However, looking at the races alone, it was an extremely difficult expedition. In three of the four races, I had an accident where my board did not arrive at the destination, and in the final race in Barcelona, the board that arrived was broken and I had to repair it myself the day before.
There were various accidents, such as searching for my board at the site, but since it was my first long-term expedition alone, I gained a lot of experience outside of the race. For example, I learned how to cook for myself, travel by train, language, and sightsee in various places, so it may not have been a good experience if you only look at the race results, but if you look at it as a life experience, it was a very good experience.
No doubt you will remember the city of Copenhagen forever! How would you summarize your feelings, moments of great intensity and the great joys achieved in this year’s ISA World Championship?
One of my goals this year was to win the ISA World Championships. After the Eurotour I re-evaluated my training and geared up for the ISA World Championships. In the first technical race of the ISA World Championships, I could see myself winning even before the race started. When the race actually started and I rounded the first mark, I was in 9th place, which was not a good start, but I wasn’t in a hurry at all and remained calm as I aimed for first place.
I remember going around the last mark and feeling adrenaline rushing, knowing 100% that I had won. After reaching the finish line I felt very happy and thankful to everyone who had supported me up until then to enable me to achieve the world title that I had been aiming for. And in the interview, I said that I would win the team relay tomorrow as well, and all the remaining races. That’s how confident I was that I could win tomorrow’s race as well. We also won the team relay, which gave us even more momentum.
EuroTour
Long distance is my specialty, so I was able to race without any nervousness from start to finish and everything unfolded just as I had imagined. And in the final day’s sprint race, he finished in 5th place.
However, recently, more and more stand-up paddle racers are choosing to only participate in certain events, and there aren’t many athletes like me who participate in every race. However, there aren’t many athletes who finish in the top five in every race either. I didn’t do any sprint training leading up to the ISA World Championships, so I’m happy with this result. I think I’ll be able to put up a good fight at the ICF World Championships.
How does it feel to participate with the Japanese team in the ISA Worlds?
This year’s JAPAN team was made up of members with good teamwork. All of the stand-up paddle members practice at a training camp run by my parents, and I have been advising them on expeditions and competitions for many years. Kotaro Miyahira, who won the junior championship, has been coming to my house for training camps every month for the past two years, and my parents and I have been coaching him. I also coach the stand-up paddle club at the high school he attends. In addition, the members of the prone team are also members who participated in the ISA World Championships held in El Salvador in 2019, and they have good teamwork and won the team relay. The JAPAN team also achieved their best result ever, second place.
I am happy with this result, and I feel that fighting as a team increases motivation and leads to better results than fighting alone.
You show great skills in all SUP modalities. But which one is your favourite and in which one would you like to get a better performance?
My favorite race is technical because it requires a variety of skills, such as turns and beach runs, and it’s an event that gets spectators really excited. I want to achieve results in sprint race. Because I was able to win the long distance and technical races at the ISA World Championships, I would like to achieve good results in the sprint races at the ICF World Championships.
P. Jiménez
P. Jiménez
What is your opinion about the different tours, world championships and the general situation of Stand Up Paddle? Do you think that our this sport should be professionalized even more?
I hope that this sport will continue to develop. In order to achieve this, I think it is important for various manufacturers and associations to work together and become one. Right now, there are two world championships, the ISA World Championships and the ICF World Championships. I don’t think this is something that happens very often in other sports. If these two major associations work together to host one big tournament, I think stand-up paddle will develop even further. Doing so might even lead to it becoming an Olympic sport.
How do you see the evolution of SUP in Asia in the last years? What do you think is needed to support even more the growth it is getting?
Stand-up paddle racing in Asia has grown tremendously in recent years. And the Asian country that deserves the most attention right now is China. The number of stand-up paddle racers has increased significantly since the ICF World Championships held in China in 2019, and many events were held this year as well. The number of participants was also quite large. In addition, this year people from Korea, Thailand and other countries came to stay with me for training camps.
And for Asia to develop further, I think it’s important for Asian athletes to participate in many international races. Currently, Japan is the only country that actively participates in international races, but in the future, other Asian countries will likely join in too. By doing so, I think they can make use of that experience and lead to further development of stand-up paddle racing in Asia.
Tell us about the places where you usually train in Japan and your favourite wave spots
I usually train in Okinawa. Okinawa is known as the Hawaii of Japan, and is a beautiful island surrounded by coral reefs. The area where I live is called Yanbaru, and is located in the northern part of Okinawa. It is a wonderful place rich in nature, with beautiful seas and mountains.
All of the waves in Okinawa are reef breaks, so the waves are powerful and strong. My favorite wave spot is Yanbaru. There are few people, there are countless deserted waves, and the water is so clear that you can see fish and turtles while riding the waves.
How is the great support of your family since the first day you started paddling until today?
Estoy muy agradecido a mis padres por darme la oportunidad de iniciarme en el Stand Up Paddle. Mi familia está formada por seis personas, incluidos cuatro hermanos. Uno de mis hermanos pequeños nació con síndrome de Down. Tampoco éramos una familia acomodada. Nuestra infancia fue muy difícil, y mi hermano entraba y salía constantemente del hospital. Mi único placer era ir al mar y divertirme. Antes del SUP, pescaba, buceaba y jugaba en el mar. Entonces mis padres empezaron a hacer Paddle Surf y yo empecé a practicarlo con ellos.
Then, when I was 12 years old, I participated in my first race and that’s where my stand up paddle life began. At the time, I only had an inflatable board and was very jealous of other paddlers racing on hard boards, so I told my parents that I wanted a hard board. However, I was told that hardboards are very expensive and that I can’t buy them, so if I wanted to I should get faster on my own and get sponsored by a board manufacturer. So I practiced hard and beat the hardboard with an inflatable board, and got sponsored by a board manufacturer. So I’ve never bought a hardboard. What I want to say is that junior paddlers need to be more grateful that they are able to take part in this sport, because the equipment for stand-up paddleboarding is very expensive. And they need to take good care of their equipment.
Our family has been involved in training juniors in the Japanese stand-up paddle industry for a long time. For the past eight years, I have been gathering the top juniors in Japan every year to hold training camps, sharing the experiences I have gained in international races, going to international races with them, and giving advice at competitions. I have always believed that it is very important to develop juniors. Now, most of the top 10 in Japan are teenagers. This is a very good and important thing for the stand-up paddle industry.
Thanks to…
I am very grateful to all my sponsors and fans who have supported me so far, and to my family who has always been by my side and supported me. I am also grateful for the environment that allows me to participate in stand-up paddle racing. I hope the stand up paddle industry will continue to improve. Thank you!!!
What is really SUP River my friend?
SUP River is a new sport, of which we are pioneers. It is the art of surfing rivers upright, only with the help of a board and a stick (paddle). My teacher and his friends were the first people to jump into a river with a SUP board in Spain, adapting techniques from kayaking and whitewater canoeing to this new modality, making ours the first and only official whitewater SUP school in the country.
I am Guillermo Rabadán, better known as ‘Raba’ and I am an athlete and SUP River instructor, we are taking the sport to new levels, performing feats and rivers that were thought impossible to do in SUP. This has made it very common for us to hear the locals of the areas where we go paddling call us crazy and some even put obstacles to enter the water, thinking that we are doing some kind of kamikaze act, but after seeing us in the water, they are always surprised, and we end up forging bonds, because we are all people who live and feel the river.
We travel around Spain and the world opening rivers, learning and enjoying this wonderful sport, which is more a lifestyle than just a sport... freedom, adventure, exploration, brotherhood, is just a small part of it all.
Rabadán (KalaharI Aventuras)
We have pushed SUP to new limits, to the point where the biggest thing holding us back is technology. We design boards, we look for improvements, we operate on trial and error. In the United States the sport has already caught on and there are many companies that design and manufacture specific material, but here in Spain this moment has not yet arrived, although eventually, the ‘BOOM’ of the SUP River will arrive, as there are more and more people dedicated to it body and soul.
This is also seen in the people who come to our house and try it for the first time. They all think that they won’t be able to do it, that they have to have too much balance and then... they always end up descending their first rapids standing up!!!! You have to keep in mind that there are many rivers and each one is a different scenario to enjoy and learn, all levels are present, from wild and wild rivers where only the bravest can enter, to safe and calm rivers where even the smallest are in their element.
This makes SUP River one of the most popular activities because people quickly learn, have a great time and are surprised by what they are capable of. Being able to play in the water, understand the environment and go down a river is something exciting that not everyone can say they have done, although it is true that more and more people are joining this movement.
In short, SUP River is a young sport that is coming on strong, where everyone is welcomed equally, with open arms and once you try it you can’t stop. So my friend... See you on the river!
At the 2024 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark, SIC proudly crowned two new world champs.
The ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championships are one of the biggest annual events in stand up paddle racing. This year, the ISAs ran from September 16-22 in Copenhagen, Denmark with athletes from 30 countries in attendance.
To compete in the ISAs, athletes must be invited by their country to compete in certain race categories. At this year’s event, SIC had 10 athletes from seven different countries in attendance.
“These world championships in Denmark were incredible,” says SIC global athlete Ethan Bry (FR). “Copenhagen was a city that adapted very well to ISA World Championships. We were able to find all types of water and spectators could see the progress of the races without the competitors being too far away.”
Pablo Franco. Pablo Jiménez. Sean Evans SIC
Men Sprint
In the men’s sprint race, conditions were favorable, and David Leao (BR) dominated heat after heat, ultimately securing a spot in the finals. With each heat, Leao gained more confidence, and, in the end, he won his final heat, becoming the men’s sprint world champion.
“The sprint race is always an exciting and a great show, with lots of spectators and the best paddlers in the world in the game,” says Leao (BR). “I am happy to win the world title for my country and to paddle for SIC.”
Women Sprint
On the women’s side, Seychelle (USA) led the pack through the opening heats of the sprint races, winning all her heats. Unfortunately, she got squeezed out at the buoy in the semi-finals, narrowly missing making the final. Seychelle is now shifting her focus to the ICF Worlds in Sarasota in November.
“I just returned home from a summer of travel and did not come into this event fully prepared to do my best,” says Seychelle (US). “I treated it as a good warm up for the the ICF Worlds event. I am glad that I went as I was able to learn exactly where I am at and what I need to work on to reach my goals for a triple crown later in the year.”
Women Technical Race
In the women’s technical race, SIC was well represented with Rika Okuaki (JPN), Seychelle (USA), Soryn Preston (USA), and Annabel Page (UK) all competing. It was a tight pack with Okuaki finishing in 6th, Seychelle in 7th, Preston in 8th, and Page in 13th.
“It is so amazing to be battling against the open women as they are so competitive,” says SIC junior athlete Soryn Preston (USA). “The field is so strong and it’s really inspiring to see where I need to be when I age out of juniors. I am very happy with my results in tech as it shows me how much more I need to grow.”
Women Distance
In the women’s distance race, SIC had great representation, with seven women in the race, including Rika Okuaki (JPN), Seychelle (USA), Soryn Preston (USA), Kanae Shibahara (JPN), Annabel Page (UK), Josephina Karst (GER), and Andreak Kammerer (CZE). The top three finishers were Okuaki in 4th, Seychelle in 5th, and Preston in 10th.
Men Distance
On the men’s side, Kotaro Miyahira (JPN) and Ethan Bry (FR), represented SIC in the 12-kilometer distance race. The race took off fast and the lead pack was close throughout the race, with multiple technical passages for the racers to navigate. At the finish, junior racer Miyahira crossed the line in 3rd with Bry close behind, finishing in 4th.
Junior Category
In the junior races, team SIC proved that it has a bright future with Kotaro Miyahire (JPN) finishing 1st in the boy’s technical race, clinching another world title for SIC. In the women’s junior tech race Soryn Preston (US) secured a third-place finish and Kanae Shibahara (JPN) finished in 8th.
“This year, my goal was to become the junior champion at the ISA World Championship, and I am also aiming to win the junior championship at the ICF,” says SIC junior athlete Kataro Miyahire (JPN). “I have been training every day with my coach, family, and teammates. I was able to show the results of that training by finishing with a 20-second lead over the second-place competitor. I believe this is proof of my growing confidence in my paddling skills.”
Another Superstar: The RST
In addition to impressive racing and crowning two world champs, another superstar at the ISAs was the new RST. The board made its debut at the world championships and was a hot topic of conversation among racers.
“In the open men’s class, while the top five athletes used sprint boards specialized for flatwater, I chose the all-water board, RST,” says Kotaro Miyahire (JPN). “Since the racecourse passed through narrow waterways, waves were created. Riding the RST allowed me to perform at 100%, use the wake for drafting, and keep up with sprints due to the board’s quick acceleration. Thanks to these advantages, I was able to secure 3rd place.”
Lots of action and excitement on the beach of Aguete, where the Galicians Marta Abruñedo and Iván Puente are consecrated as the new Galician SUP Endurance and Long Distance Champions of Spain.
On the 6th of July the second edition of the Aguete SUP Race was held in the town of Marín, an exciting Stand Up Paddle event that brought together athletes from all over Spain and Portugal, where the Imua Paddle Surf Club team played a great organisational role.
On this occasion, the Aguete SUP Race would host the Spanish Endurance Championship, the Galician SUP Race Championship and the National League. The waters of the Pontevedra estuary were the perfect setting for this model of competition
The location of Aguete beach was key for this competition, as spectators and family members of the athletes were able to see them closely at various points along the course. The moments of greatest emotion and encouragement occurred every time the competitors had to complete their different laps of the circuit in front of the beach, surrounded by the encouragement of all the people present in this wonderful place in the town of Marín.
From early in the morning, the athletes have been arriving at the beach of Aguete to face a long day of competitions and fun. The first to take to the water were the participants of the SUB18 and Elite categories, where the Long Distance athletes had to complete a 10.5km and the participants of the Spanish Endurance Championship a total of 21km. Subsequently, the SUB16 and Amateur categories were launched with a lot of commitment to dispute the 5.5km corresponding to their categories.
As for the Spanish SUP Endurance Championship, the arrival of the first competitors to the finish line was very exciting, with the young Galician Iván Puente becoming champion of this modality with a time of 2:44:39, ahead of Miquel Roigé and David Leiro in the men’s category. The women’s category did not disappoint, with Marta Abruñedo climbing to the top of the podium, confirming once again her experience in this type of race. Claudia Luchetta and Gadea Ibarloza completed the podium in this category, with an incredible performance by the rest of the athletes, who paddled with great dedication for almost 4 hours to complete this intense competition!
As for the Spanish SUP Endurance Championship, the arrival of the first competitors to the finish line was very exciting, with the young Galician Iván Puente becoming champion of this modality with a time of 2:44:39, ahead of Miquel Roigé and David Leiro in the men’s category. The women’s category did not disappoint, with Marta Abruñedo climbing to the top of the podium, confirming once again her experience in this type of race. Claudia Luchetta and Gadea Ibarloza completed the podium in this category, with an incredible performance by the rest of the athletes, who paddled with great dedication for almost 4 hours to complete this intense competition! We highlight the great results of Xoel Catoira Aldao and Lorena Facenda López who won in the SUB18 category, as well as Aron Ramos and Francisca Costa in SUB16. The Amateur category has been very well received on the beach, which always gives a lot of life and excitement to this sport. And we cannot forget the Master and Kahuna categories, proving that Stand Up Paddle is for all ages.
After a short break, the young promises of the SUP Race, from SUB8 to SUB14 categories, had a great participation in this second edition of the Aguete SUP Race. Pablo García and Lía Álvarez were the youngest athletes, Jonah Siaussat and Anitz Ibarloza dominated the SUB10 category, Gael Álvarez Rodríguez and Daira García were the winners of the SUB12 category, Álvaro Díaz and Olivia Malingre in SUB14. All these results are part of the classification of the National League of the Spanish Surfing Federation.
In addition, this spectacular day of competition also designated the new Galician SUP Race Champions in its different categories. It was seen once again the great progress that the base of this sport is having at the moment in Galicia, thanks to the work and dedication of all the clubs in this region. Iván Puente and Marta Abruñedo are the new champions in Elite category, as well as Xoel Catoira and Lorena Facenda in SUB18, Daniel Folgar and Lucía Mella in SUB16, Rodrigo Basilio and Olivia Malingre in SUB14, Gael Álvarez and Daniela García in SUB12, and Pablo García and Daniela Guerreiro in SUB10.
After the awards ceremony with the attendance and participation of the local authorities, the day ended with an unofficial relay competition, where several groups of athletes offered moments of maximum fun on the beach and showing the good atmosphere that reigns in Stand Up Paddle, both nationally and internationally.
Thanks to Villa de Marín, Deputación Pontevedra, Fesurfing, Waira, Amura, Deporte Galego, Surflogic, all the volunteers and the rest of collaborators for making a new edition of this great Stand Up Paddle event that promotes the quarry and the competition in this wonderful place of Galicia.
EL SPOT DEL DOCT
RTHE OLYMPIC PHOTO
It seems like an eternity ago, but this year has been an Olympic year. It is the second edition in which the ISA (International Surfing Association) is represented, in this case by surfing, which has reigned supreme since its creation. While the first edition in Tokyo was, in my opinion, a somewhat lacklustre competition, this year the conditions could not have been more ideal for high-level surfing. If there was one thing the organisers did right, it was to provide the athletes with the best possible venue: Tehaupoo. The magnificent wave, a dangerous dream for any professional surfer, with a huge lip and endless tube, but with a coral bottom only suitable for the best. And when the athlete is allowed to compete in the best conditions, he brings out the best of the best. And they emerged. Yes, we saw it all in a photo that made the front pages of the world’s newspapers.
Pablo Codesido Harry Viewel. J.Broulliet. Pablo Jiménez
Gabi Medina surfed one of the best waves of the championships, obtaining the best score in the short history of Olympic surfing, a 9.90. Still in the Round of 16, but the real story is that photographer Jerome Broulliet captured the epic moment when Medina slides down the wall of the wave and comes off with absolute control, raising his arm and finger in the number one sign. The photo is taken from behind the wave and leaves the surfer and his indispensable flying companion, the surfboard, suspended in the air, in the same shot. United by the invention, the photo highlights the close union between the human being and his creation. Poetry of sport. For those of us who love surfing, the wave sequence is brutal. Its size, its speed, the endless quality of the tube, the manoeuvre par excellence; and of course, Medina’s expression of adrenaline, of satisfaction and of seeing himself as a winner with his defiant gesture, showing a ten with his hands towards the cameras. It has all the makings of making anyone who sees it wish they could perform such a feat, and if you’re a kid, maybe even take up the sport. Medina’s Olympic photo has been one of the best promotions of surfing in recent times, and also in a championship where the Federations count.
While in Tokyo surfing was just one of the stars, in France it was one of the stars, because Teahaupoo is one of the stars. By this I mean that the level championships must be held in suitable conditions for the best development of the speciality and performance of the competitors. There are constantly articles and debates at an international level where they try to order the existence of SUP Race and its different modalities. The future hangs in the balance. We have been thinking about this for years. It would be reiterative for me to point out again all the possibilities that this sport offers: Long Distance, Technical, Sprints, Beach Race... with countless ramifications. Rivers, sea, lakes... many kms, few kms... We need a standardisation of rules and a body to regulate them definitively, as if there have to be two...
J.Broulliet
In some forums the possibility is being discussed that the two big federations involved in the governance of SUP Race reach an agreement on the standardisation of their events. Although the Olympic competition belongs to the ISA, both federations carry out events at an international level under different legal umbrellas that have brought little to the athletes.
It would not be far-fetched to think that wave events in the sea would be the absolute responsibility of the ISA, while indoors events in flat water would be the responsibility of the ICF (International Canoe Federation). It would be normal to find a common area of intersection between the two federations where events are shared. Nobody doubts that the Beach Race, the queen event in my opinion, is the competence of the ISA given the presence of waves, nor that events in lakes or estuaries could be the competence of the ICF, nor that offshore events could be of shared competence. Personally I am grateful to both federations for holding SUP events, but it is really frustrating that their continual fighting does not leave a common ground where the best can be the best and the sport can develop properly. We all knew that the old BOP (Battle of the Paddle) was the ultimate event in the sport. Everyone wanted to win that ‘race with waves’, and the tougher the conditions the better. This year the ISA has held a magnificent World Championship in Denmark...without waves, it is the anti-surfing of the SUP Race in a federation where the wave is everything. And soon we will have the ICF World Championships on an artificial lake dedicated to canoeing, so why not dream of an Olympic BOP to start with? The ISA has the competence to fight for it in the future, but you have to show your credentials first.
P.Jiménez
H.Viewel
After a long time, the ISA has formed a SUP Race Committee. I think it needs to become aware of the things that are happening. At least think about the Olympic photo, so that it is able to transmit what is the true essence of SUP Race and the roots of where the sport comes from. Despite my age, I was hooked by photos like the BOP at Salt Creek, watching champions like Candice Appeby or Kai Lenny win in spectacular conditions for a Beach Race, with a wonderful chaos of boards flying over waves and foam. Or an exceptional Connor Baxter on his huge 17-foot board, paddling miles of offshore waves between Molokai and Oahu. Photos to remember in ideal conditions. Sport at its best that engages the athlete and the public... just like the Olympic photo.
With this, I don’t want to belittle long-distance flat races, of which I am a regular user. They are races that are accessible to everyone, the basis of this sport, and they should continue to be so. I hope that one day there will also be a long distance race in the Olympics. I don’t care which federation takes on this responsibility, but I don’t care which federation takes on this responsibility, but that there is one, that they fight for it, because this type of race has also earned it. The versatility of our sport allows us to practice on any surface with water. Events like Sarasota or Copenhagen are still wonderful expressions of this sport for everyone, but they should not remain just that, especially when we are talking about the best in the world in a World Championship, who need the best conditions to compete, no matter how difficult they may be, as is the case with Tehaupoo for surfers. Not every surfer can surf the beautiful and monstrous wave of Teahupoo, but the World Champion must master it. Not everyone can cross marine territories like the Bone Channel between the islands of Molokai and Oahu, but the SUP ace World Champion will know how to master it.
I would like the SUP Race World Champion to master the waves, the buoy turns, the acceleration and the race pace, to paddle for miles and for the public to enjoy it, to see the magnificence of the human being in conditions where nature expresses its maximum beauty. I want to see spectacular races, full of passion, hardness, will and exhaustion. I want to see SUP Race.
Great sensations in the first edition of the SUP Challenge La Línea, bringing together national and international athletes.
The first edition of the SUP Challenge La Línea took place from the 11th to the 13th of October, a long awaited event by many Stand Up Paddle lovers and its organisers, the Club Deportivo Parres Watersports.
During the first day, with a very varied weather, different free activities were carried out with the aim of promoting our sport. Meanwhile, the ¨SUPers¨ coming from different parts of our country, made different trainings for the competitions of that weekend, under a good vibe from all of them.
Club Deportivo Parres @_mthsport_
On the second day, the technical races took place, where the athletes gave 100% amidst a lot of laughter and camaraderie.
The good weather and the excitement of all the races marked the last day of the La Línea SUP Challenge, organised with the sponsorship of the Diputación de Cádiz and the support of the City Council. The first edition of this event left an excellent taste in the mouths of participants and organisers.
The Balearic Sonia Caimari and the Cantabrian Manuel Hoyuela won the long distance race in the general elite category, a very important triumph as it is a qualifier for the next world championship to be held in the United States.
Sonia Caimari offered a nice duel with Alexia Soto to win the race:
¨We started quite evenly matched, but I did a good sprint to reach the first buoy ahead and be calmer. From there, the sea was rougher, with a side wind, but we kept fighting in the buoy circuit area (6 buoys inside the buoys with right and left turns). In the last stretch of the race I have been doing relays with Alexia until I managed to win the final sprint¨. I had never been to La Línea before, I really liked it. I love getting to know different places and sailing in a different type of water, as in Mallorca we don’t have the opportunity to paddle on flat water¨.
Behind Sonia Caimari came Alexia Soto, second, and Inés Blin, third.
In the men’s category, Manuel Hoyuela has completed a brilliant race that has not been defined until the last meters in which he has imposed Lluís Peroti and Sergio Cantoral, second and third classified:
¨I tried to stay first or second all the time because with so many turns of buoys it is essential not to fall behind. I could pull the whole race and at the last buoy I distanced myself from Lluís, who was coming on very strong. For being the first edition, the organisation and the treatment of all the athletes has been incredible. This is a circuit very close to the beach and welcoming, I would love to repeat¨.
The SUP Challenge says goodbye to La Línea with a great success that promises new editions in the future. This is how the promoter of the event Daniel Parres assesses it:
¨Everything went better than expected because the weather conditions were good, despite the forecasts, and that makes the competition look much better. The sea conditions were as expected, it didn’t disappoint and all the participants enjoyed themselves a lot. We have seen a great show with a high level and very entertaining battles on the water. We are satisfied, and I think we have put a good seed to take a step further in future editions¨.
The Councillor for Sports of the City Council of La Linea, Javier Vidal, did not want to miss the last day and recalled the city’s commitment to sporting events, especially new disciplines:
¨It has been a very positive experience, there has been a great atmosphere and a good level, it is a very spectacular and attractive discipline for the public. From the City Council we are committed to quality sporting events and diversity, we do not want to stay only in the mainstream sports¨.
Other winners in the long distance event were Laura Recio and Cristóbal Porras (U10), Nerea Bransby and Tomas Blin (U12), Oskar Bereket (U14 male), Enzo Ponzo and Katrina Hansen (U16), Zoe Molla and Aaron Berna (rookie), Oksana Avramenko (women’s inflatable), Bárbara Jaskova and José Juan García (amateur), Alexia Soto and Lluís Peroti (U18), Sonia Caimari and Manuel Hoyuela (senior elite), Kath Shaw and Salva Mora (master elite) and Margarita Ferriol and Eusebio Rodríguez (kahuna elite).y Margarita Ferriol y Eusebio Rodríguez (élite kahuna).
End of July 2024
We were coming back from the downwind foil races in Hawaii with my Portuguese friend Tiago Campos: Paddle Imua, Maui to Molokai, Molokai to Oahu, and to be perfectly honest I was feeling a bit saturated with downwind foil at this time, and physically exhausted. But when we received the call from our friend Diogo from Madeira, we quickly understood that the break would be shorter than expected...
PORTO SANTO MADEIRA
There are some things you just can’t let go of, and when it comes to adventures in a wild ocean, crossings, mythical islands...I can’t hold back. Diogo’s idea was to cross from Porto Santo to Madeira, about 60 kilometers, with a very rough sea, crossed, and currents, against waves... However, after the call, Tiago looked at me with a smirk and asked me: ‘What? Are we going or not? The answer was clear...
Pedro Vasconcelos Fred Bonnef
We are in an exciting era of pioneering where new downwinds, new routes are opening up every week. The idea of doing something totally off piste, with the training we already had from having done the Maui to Molokai and Molokai to Oahu crossings just before, didn’t seem crazy to us. Although we had already been warned that the sea between Porto Santo and Madeira could be very rough, crusty and complicated, both for us and for the boats that would be accompanying us. James Casey, the Australian 3 times champion of the Molokai (2 times in foiling and once in SUP) and Casper Steinfath, the multiple SUP world champion, were going to be our crossing companions, and the prospect of sharing the adventure with them was an extra motivation.
2nd September 2024
After a few training runs with James, Tiago, and Diogo, the serious stuff is about to start, and it’s time to embark to Porto Santo. Unfortunately, Casper Steinfath was not joining us, as he decided to focus on his last ISA competition in Denmark, but a few wingfoilers decided to join us on this attempted crossing.
On our arrival in Porto Santo, I realise that the island is very bare. The contrast is great with Madeira and its tremendous vegetation: ¨The garden of the Atlantic¨, perhaps because of the wind that never stops shaking the few trees that are there. It reminds me a bit of the island of Sal in Cape Verde, it has something of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands too, or perhaps Molokai in Hawaii...This island is lost in the Atlantic, far from everything, and although we have not yet started the journey, you can already feel a special energy.
We head to the west of the island where we plan to skirt a huge rock to protect us from the waves as we open up to the open sea. But before this, we have to go down a cliff, with boards and foils. I think the pictures speak for themselves: nothing easy! To be honest, hitting the water afterwards with everything in one piece was a relief.
There are several boats ready for the crossing, everything is very well organised by my friend Diogo, but the only thing that worries me a bit is the wingfoilers, who have a different rhythm to us, and the fact that it’s already past midday, and I’m afraid of the wind dropping.
As I paddle out to the open sea, I have a strange feeling that I have experienced this before. And I think it is due to the fact that Porto Santo looks a bit like Molokai, and Madeira in the distance looks a bit like Oahu. There is also that impression of enormous force that these waters transmit, a mixture of beauty and danger, of excitement and adrenaline, of fascination and respect.
To cover the two kilometers that separate us from the open sea, we decided to start from the sheltered part to fly a little and warm up. As soon as we start, I realise that the sea is very strong here because we’re already flying quite fast in almost no time at all. Of course, my bad ankle hurts a bit, but as always, I try to ignore it. Having done Maui to Molokai and Molokai to Oahu, more than 105 kilometers in total, gives me faith that I can do this crossing without too many problems, but what I didn’t know was that the sea I would encounter would be much rougher than in Hawaii! I don’t think anyone who has done the crossing from Molokai to Oahu and fought for a result or simply to finish it could believe that there is a much rougher crossing than that.
But once at the departure point in the semi-open sea, we start to see what we have come here. James has the look of a kid in a sweet shop, and we are all very excited. I start to get into computer mode, looking at the patterns formed by the sea and the trajectory of the bumps to determine my path. There’s a lot of reflection, a lot of bouncing, a lot of smashing waves. I just hope that this is because of the proximity of the island of Porto Santo and that once I’m off it will improve. I try not to think that the logic would be that the same thing would happen when I get to Madeira,
but much stronger. Not to think too much, not to think about the problems we could have, to enjoy the moment and something extraordinary that we are about to experience.
The wingfoilers, totally sheltered from the wind, take a long time to take off and come towards us. From my point of view, we are losing a lot of time and I see that others are losing patience too. What is clear is that a crossing between several people, and different modalities, is much more complicated than for a single person.
Finally, we set off. The sea is very rough. Just standing for the start is complicated, especially with a 17¨ wide board. The fact that I train daily in the Strait of Gibraltar, where there are very difficult areas to stand up, gives me enough confidence to know that I can do it quickly if I take it easy. A good breath, a good sprint, and I’m in the air. I realise a few things after the first flight:
1º It is very wild here.
2º The sea is very rough.
3º As I imagined, the sea is very fast. The foil chosen, a Duotone Hyperglide 880, looks too big when from the outside it looked very slack.
4th We are going much faster than the wingfoils, especially James who is going like a shot.
After a while, we have to stop because we have already made a lot of progress compared to the wingfoils. But for us with the SUP foil, it doesn’t suit us to stop and wait for the others, because, apart from the fact that it breaks our rhythm, we also have to restart in difficult conditions. After several stops, we decided that we had to split the group and have a boat dedicated to SUP foiling.
There is another factor to take into account: we were facing an increasingly difficult sea. Instead of getting better, it was getting worse. And I say getting worse, but at the same time there was something magical about it. It’s so wild that it leaves you speechless. What we saw in the middle of the Atlantic Sea this day, somewhere between Porto Santo and Madeira, is hard to describe in words. And photos don’t do justice to what we experienced. But if I tell you that James Casey, who I consider to be the best foiler in the world, said afterwards that this crossing was ten times harder than the Molokai to Oahu crossing (which is a lot of fabric too), I think you can get an idea of how crazy it was.
I am going to try to describe, from the point of view of a foiler, what I experienced: imagine flying over the sea at full speed between liquid mountains, past foil, with your legs burning, and seeing huge waves coming in the opposite direction, areas of counter current that look like an erupting volcano and windy seas that collide with the waves in the background. Not being able to see either the boats or the others because of the height of the waves, and having to be extremely focused all the time on your trajectory?
Here there is no lie and there is no ego, when the ocean gets so wild, it tests you most intensely because there is no way to escape. In case you didn’t know, the ocean reminds you that you are very, very small, that even if you wanted the opposite, this is not your natural environment, and that playing in these waters means that you can pay a high price if things get complicated. But I like this. In the age of social networks and false information, there are so many lies... so many people who think they are somebody and who deserve a lesson in humility as only the ocean can give you...
After about 35 very intense kilometers, I start to feel my right ankle hurting more and more, and I try to go as easy as I can. But the conditions force me to go fast because it’s either that or make mistakes, miss the flight, and have to start again in a brutal cross sea. I try not to step too much on my bad ankle, and let the others go ahead, focusing on myself and my trajectory. James is already well ahead of us, and Tiago also manages to keep a high pace. Diogo is struggling a bit, and he’s a bit further back. I start to make more mistakes and fall, with my ankle bothering me more and more,
the pain getting more and more intense. But I’m used to it, suffering is part of my daily life as a disabled athlete. Madeira is getting closer and closer and I don’t doubt for a second that I will make it, the memory of the Molokai 2023 experience where I had to finish the last 3 hours paddling on my knee or lying down without flying gives me the confidence I need every time I have a difficulty. Also, I have in mind that James will have arrived by now, and Tiago is also ahead of me. Thinking about seeing my colleagues at the finish and celebrating with them I want to keep going.
But behind is another story. Diogo has had to stop and get on the boat, 4 wingfoilers have abandoned, there is only one left, and there is a lot of distance between all of them. In these conditions, ensuring the safety of everyone is very complicated, so I’m pretty sure that I won’t do crossings with so many people again.
Finally, after epic and endless flights, Madeira approaches. I see how majestic this island is from the sea, and I realise how lucky I am to be here and to have made this crossing. But soon a boat approaches to ask me to come on board, they want to catch Tiago and James, who are totally alone, as they are not even together.
I don’t take long to get on board because I’m also worried about them, even though I know they are machines. I look behind me, and Porto Santo is barely visible. Every time I do a long distance downwind foil, the same thing happens to me and I can’t believe how many kilometres you can cover without an engine or a sail, I really flew all that, it was crazy...more to tell!
Bianca Toncelli
Hi Bianca! Introduce yourself to the readers of Up Suping, tell us how and when you got to know SUP.
Hello everyone, it’s a pleasure to be here! Since I was a child I had practiced other sports that were not related to the sea, but they were certainly not for me. So, I started SUP in 2016 when I was 8 years old, it was a sport that caught my attention because when I was training then, there was a team full of people of different ages.
When did you decide to compete, are you a very competitive and demanding person?
My first Spanish championship was in 2018 in Galicia, however, at that age, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I kept competing in categories such as U10, U12 and even U14 but I wasn’t aware of what competition was.
VB. Mario Entero. Gwen Marche. Up Suping Up Suping
I stopped training for a year and consequently also stopped competing. Since January this year, I have started competing again, I set myself a long-term goal and I hope to achieve it.
I am quite a demanding person, both in sports and in my studies, so I always try to get the best out of myself. Competitiveness is a difficult thing to handle, but I think I have a good relationship with it.
The Canary Islands are an incredible place to practice water sports. What are the advantages of living in Fuerteventura for your SUP sessions and training?
Of course, the Canary Islands are a paradise both for living and practising water sports. I’m lucky to be able to train all year round as the temperature doesn’t vary as it would on the mainland. There are usually all kinds of conditions, my favourite, without a doubt, are the waves! But it’s also an island where there is a lot of wind, very cool for downwind... and to be prepared for everything!
Do you enjoy every time you go to the peninsula to compete or just to paddle? What are your fa-vourite places?
Wful places, every competition we dis-cover a new place that has something special. Also paddling in different conditions and with dif-ferent views of the island is something I love.
Somo is a special place for me, although I haven’t visited it much, the times I’ve been there I’ve loved it. Simply the waves, the people, the beach and the atmosphere are unbeatable. Galicia is also part of my heart, it’s where it all began and where it continues every year.
What is it like to join OrTraining? What do Oscar, Espe and the rest of your teammates bring you?
The team is one of the best things about SUP, being able to share with your teammates even though it’s an individual sport. Training with OrTraining for me means wanting to do things well. Knowing why you have each training session and balancing between various physical activities, in addition to SUP, making paddling not only means paddling, it means having fun, learning, improvising and getting to know yourself. There has always been a good vibe in the team and they are dedicated to their way of working to do it well.
Espe and Oscar have been my guides since I was little making me love this sport, they mean support and motivation for me, also, having the chance to train with athletes at such a high level makes you want to improve and keep working on your goals.
It’s been a great 2024 for you, getting great results and a lot of experience in different competitions...right?
Yes! The truth is that I didn’t have many expectations in 2024 since it was my first year of training seriously. But from the beginning, I was looking forward to get into action. I’m very happy with my results and also to be able to learn from my teammates and from people I admire a lot. What I’m most grateful for is gaining experience so that I can improve more and more and pass on what my teammates pass on to me.
How do you experience the atmosphere with other competitors and teammates in the events? There is always a good vibe between everyone!
I’m a big fan of competition environments. Being surrounded by other competitors and team-mates creates a unique and motivating energy. Even though there is competition, most of us share a love for the sport and the effort that goes into it, which creates mutual respect. Sure, there are moments of tension when it comes to competing, but out of the water we tend to support each other and enjoy the event together. It’s nice to see that connection building, where we celebrate each other’s achievements and encourage each other, regardless of the results.
B. Reed
Besides SUP, what other sports do you practice? What are your hobbies?
I try to practice everything, I love to try new sports and whenever I have the opportunity...I don’t turn it down!
Besides SUP, I like to go surfing, cycling and running, swimming and when I get the chance I love to go out with my friends on the dinghies, even though I live by the sea, I love skiing every time I go!
As well as SUP competitions, I’m training for a 10k race in December and a triathlon in April, an experience I don’t want to skip.
What are your next objectives or goals? What are your dreams, which can certainly come true?
I have several long term goals, clearly, when I started training this year I didn’t expect to be the best right away, that’s why I want to focus on these years of training, working hard and gaining experience competing. I would love to go to the ISA Worlds with the Spanish team and have good results, as well as having the great experience of going to the ICF one year, although I am already thinking about going to Abu Dhabi.
Thanks to...
Mainly I wanted to thank my parents as they are the ones who allow me to have everything I have now and to be able to travel to compete, they have always been like a support and thanks to them I have a reason to keep training and motivating myself, to make them proud. I am also very grateful to Espe and Oscar, my coaches, who have always believed in me and they have also made me get to where I am now.
My grandfather and my brother have also been part of my process encouraging me from afar and for that I owe them immense gratitude; to the friends and families that this sport has given me who understand all the efforts we make to move forward, to my friends from abroad who have often supported me and believed in me even though they were far away. And finally to you, Nico, who always bring a unique emotion and atmosphere to all the races and for your reports, with which you make this incredible sport known and for making me part of this edition.
TRAINING PLANS
¨We help athletes to get their goals¨
Esperanza Barreras and Fernando Pérez, winners of the Spanish Long Distance Cup in the VI Great Mediterranean SUP Race. There was also a heartfelt tribute to those who died from DANA in Valencia with a floral offering in the sea
6th GRAN CARRERA DEL
MEDITERRANEO SUP RACE
Club Deportivo Parres @_mthsport_ @kdffotografia
Santa Pola, November 10, 2024, an intense day of competition and excitement marked the day of the VI Great Mediterranean SUP Race, organized by the Parres Sports Club and with the support of the Alicante Provincial Council. This great sporting event for SUP lovers has brought together more than 160 athletes in a weekend full of action, activities and tributes. We have received participants from practically the entire national scene, from Galicia, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Cádiz, Palma, Valladolid, Vizcaya, etc., and with the participation of the main figures of world SUP, such as the current SUP World Champion Esperanza Barreras and Alexia Soto, world runner-up. It was a scoring event in the official circuit of the Fesurfing SUP Race league of the Mediterranean Circuit and the Spanish Long Distance Cup.
The competitive day took place during the morning. On the one hand, the elite category covered a total of 13 km from Urbanova Beach to Santa Pola, while on Varadero Beach, the rest of the categories carried out their relevant tests, including the most popular modality, Rookie, of a more recreational nature.
The elite race started at 9 in the morning from Urbanova Beach, all the participants started very strong, but after a few minutes the first trains of competitors began to form. In the men’s category, Fernando Pérez, Sergio Cantoral and Antonio Morillo were in the lead train throughout the race, 4km from the start they were competing for the sprint finish line, which after a dizzying sprint, was crossed first by Antonio Morillo. But after 13km of racing, Fernando Pérez was proclaimed winner in the men’s elite category.
In the women’s elite, the current world champion Esperanza Barreras, who led the entire race, followed by Alexia Soto and Laura Paricio, was the first female participant in the Elite category to cross the intermediate sprint and the finish line.
1st Fernando Pérez
2nd Sergio Cantoral
3rd Antonio Morillo
4th Ivan of fruits
5° Ivan Esteve
6º Rubén Cantoral
7th Enzo Ponzó
8º Beñat Villagarcia
9th Roberto Cañedo
10th Artem Avramenko
1st Fernando Pérez
2nd Sergio Cantoral
3rd Antonio Morillo
4th Ivan of fruits
5th Ivan Esteve
6º Rubén Cantoral
7th Enzo Ponzó
8º Beñat Villagarcia
9th Roberto Cañedo
10th Artem Avramenko
Other winners in the long distance event were Pablo García (under 8), Daira García and Gael Álvarez (under 12), Aisha Ledo and Borja Camacho (under 14), Nuria Chiquero (under 16), Adriana Juan and Luis Aganzo (Rookie), Laura Fluxa and Jorque Chiquero (Open Inflatable), Natalia Piñeros and Rubén Ponce (Open Absolute), Alexia Soto and Iván Esteve (Elite Junior), Teresa Criado and Fernando Pérez (Elite Senior), Esperanza Barreras and Roberto Cañedo (Elite Master), Eva Ruiz and Javier Coloma (Elite Kahuna), MªJesus Garcia, Daniel Fenoll (Elite Grand Kahuna).
But there was not only time for competition, the event also had a more recreational day on Saturday morning, where different activities were carried out on the beach to bring sport closer to the whole society. There were open days of SUP and inclusive SUP classes, with the collaboration of users of the Apda Aspe Association and its Inclusport project of Lanzadera Deportiva; the participants were able to do different activities in the water; from SUP on adapted boards, games in the water with Bigsup boards, to getting on the Dragon Boat boats and taking a ride around the bay rowing. For many of them it was the first time they got on a boat and they had an excellent experience. Another of the most emotional moments of the day was thanks to the company Kokitoko, a collaborator of the event. It is a company that is dedicated to making clothes and accessories where it shows the drawings made by people with disabilities. So once the experience in the water was over, the participants were able to express the emotions that the experience in the sea had transmitted to them in a drawing.
Due to the tragedy that occurred in Valencia due to the storm DANA, the organization decided that a tribute to all those who died and disappeared due to the storm would take place at the event with a floral offering at sea. In addition, all participants wore a black bracelet throughout the race in memory of all the victims. Without a doubt it was one of the most emotional moments of the entire event.
The event was visited by Loreto Serrano, Mayor of Santa Pola and Provincial Deputy of Alicante, Angel Piedecausa; Councilor for Sports and Beaches of Santa Pola, and the Councilor for Tourism and Health of Santa Pola, Borja Merino. The Great Mediterranean SUP Race has had the support of the Provincial Council of Alicante and from the collaborators, Convotis, Mercalicante, Coca Cola, Kokitoko and Apda Aspe among others.
CHICAMA
Chicama has always been famous for being the longest wave in the world. It is divided into different sections most days. From the point, which is where it starts, to the boardwalk where there is a pier, there are 4 km of wave.
One day in the water, together with Xavi from Windparadise, we talked about the idea of organising a foiling trip to this destination. Months later we organised it and in a week with hardly any publicity, we had already sold all the places.
Albert Asenjo Albert Asenjo. Carlos Marich. Frank Chicama
A. Asenjo
The end of October arrived, and the whole team was already boarding the plane. We took surfboards, foil surfboards, wing boards and foil SUP boards. In other words: all the toys to make the most of the conditions. The trip consisted of two stays: one week in Chicama and 3 days in Pacasmayo, a wave in the north, well known for its good surfing and windsurfing conditions.
The days in Chicama had the following schedule: wake up at 5:30 am to have coffee and some breakfast watching the waves, do a towin session from 6:30 to 9:30, second breakfast, discuss the play afterwards and a wing session in waves or surf after lunch. Then finish the day with a good ceviche.
The tow in sessions were the highlight of the trip. Being a group of nine, we split into three different boats that took us to the first section of the wave called La Punta. There we jumped into the water and with the zodiac we were towed to the wave, where we were released and could enjoy endless waves. Within the group there were different levels, some had barely done tow-in and half of the team came only from wing foil without ever having done foil surfing.
We were divided into levels so that we could have a rhythm without anyone expecting too much. The first session exceeded all our expectations, even though it was a small day. As they were very long waves that didn’t close, each run lasted a long time. And besides enjoying yourself, it allowed you to have time to think and try new lines. All the sessions were recorded with a drone, so every night we did videocorrection and the next day everyone did their homework on the wave. Absolutely everyone noticed a huge improvement, as the spot is ideal to increase your level while having fun at the same time.
F.Chicama
F.Chicama
The wind always came in at midday and most of us went in with our wingfoil equipment, as we could also enjoy km-long waves in a fairly gusty wind, but more than enough to fly, even with small equipment. And best of all, there was no one in any session.
F.Chicama
At the end of the day, the wind calmed down and there were good conditions for surfing or foiling. More than one of us caught some really good waves with the SUP foil at sunset.
F.Chicama A.Asenjo
The last day at Chicama was the biggest day, so it became the test day. It was 2 m with an 18 second period and no wind. It was sunny at dawn and, even though we were all too tired to move, we were like children. We jumped into the zodiacs and started the session.
The sea was clean. The lower level group were surfing the middle section of the wave, catching 2km waves (4 or 5 minutes). The advanced group were catching waves from the point, where they had more power and size, and all the way to the pier. 4 km of carving at high speed in what seemed like a snowboard descent that left you with your legs burning after up to 9 minutes on the same wave, so that they came to pick you up and after 10 minutes on the boat, you were back on the point again. It was a day among friends, in 10 conditions in an unbeatable spot and without people. In other words: a dream.
Afterwards, we went to Pacasmayo for the next 3 days, where we had some great surfing sessions in a left-handed wave, also tubular and about 200 m long. First and last hour there was little wind so there were good conditions for surfing. Then throughout the day, it was very good for wing foiling with about 20 knots every day. At the end of the day, we went to dinner in tuktuks or ‘moto taxis’ as they are called there.
F.Chicama
In terms of material, we used to use small foils so as not to get spit out. People arrived in Peru thinking they would need the big foils (900-1000 cm2) more, but they ended the trip using only the smallest foils they brought and wishing they had brought even smaller foils to be more comfortable on the wave. The line on the wave was more important than the pumping. We all swapped gears and tried different combinations of airframes and stabilisers.
I went with the Code 500S for all tow in sessions and the 615S for the wing sessions. Coming out of the wave with height and speed still let me connect one or two waves back without too much trouble, and in the wave, pure controlled speed with a very good turning radius.
It was a memorable few days, where we all spent many hours in the water, and we improved a lot. We all caught the longest waves of our lives, ate like there was no tomorrow, and enjoyed the company of a phenomenal group with great energy throughout the trip. We will definitely repeat it next year!
More than a hundred SUP Race lovers from Spain and Portugal participated in this new edition of the
SANXENXO
SUP FEST
long distance & sprints
Last September 28th, Silgar beach in Sanxenxo was the setting for the successful Sanxenxo SUP Fest 2024, an epic day that marked the closing of the Galicia SUP Race Cup and hosted the Galician Surfing Federation’s Galician Sprint Championship. The competition brought together 115 riders from different communities and Portugal, and offered a day full of action and excitement in both the long distance events and the explosive sprint races.
The day started in the morning with the long distance races, where the riders faced a challenging course along the Pontevedra estuary. In the elite category, the course was particularly demanding, with a total of 13 km that tested the endurance and strategy of the competitors. The Atlantic waters and sea conditions provided the perfect challenge for the national and international participants, who competed for the last points of the Galicia SUP Race Cup. The atmosphere was electric, with the riders giving their best while the crowd enjoyed the spectacle from the shore.
At midday, after the morning’s intense effort, the athletes took a break to enjoy a Galician lunch. The organisers served an authentic menu, which included tripe, fresh mussels, empanada and pasta salad, allowing the riders to replenish their energy and share moments of camaraderie in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The excitement continued in the afternoon with the Galician Sprint Championship, in which the local athletes shone in the short distances, as the international competitors did not participate in this modality. The races were short but intense, with every paddle counting in the struggle to reach the finish line first. The Galician riders demonstrated their technique and explosiveness, offering a vibrant show that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
The success of the Sanxenxo SUP Fest 2024 was not only the result of the talent of the riders, but also of the collaboration of several local companies that contributed their bit, and the constant support of the Sanxenxo City Council, which contributed to the impeccable development of the event. In addition, the tireless work of the volunteers was essential for everything to go perfectly. From the logistics to the attention of the athletes, they were always present to ensure that the day was a complete success.
The awards ceremony at the end of the day was the highlight of the event. In addition to the trophies that recognised the best competitors in both modalities, special gifts were also raffled, such as the now traditional boxes of seafood, which have become a hallmark of the Sanxenxo SUP Fest. These details added a unique touch to the celebration, connecting the sport with the rich gastronomic tradition of the region.
The Sanxenxo SUP Fest 2024 was much more than a sporting competition; it was a true celebration of paddle surfing in Galicia, celebrating the sport, the community and the local culture. With the resounding success of this edition, Sanxenxo continues to consolidate its position as a benchmark for SUP, offering riders and fans an unforgettable experience that unites sport, gastronomy and nature in an incomparable setting.
This ¨all water¨ board is made from Dragon Fly Wood sandwich molded wood, with the same high performance features found in the award winning RS in SF, but in a DF construction, durable and affordable. The RS in DF is a great race board for beginners and the perfect Touring performance option for those looking to paddle long open ocean crossings.
LANDBOARD
LONG BEACH
Within the possibility of making a completely custom SUP, we have this long SUP specially designed both for walks and enjoy nature and to get started in surfing small and medium waves. Its generous volume in any of its sizes will give you great stability and ease when catching waves. Also available in a smaller volume version for those more experienced SUPers.
A board that can not miss in your quiver! Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
RST AIR
The RST Air series follows RST’s exciting new scheme, our innovative Fusion Lite Welded (FLW) technology. This lightweight construction, made from drop stitch material, incorporates durable welded seams, ensuring a tight seal without the risk of glue weakening and added stiffness. It is also available in narrower competition sizes for youth and athletes looking for portability and performance.
WINDPARADISE
SUNOVA REVOLUTION TR3
Do you remember why you first got into SUP Surfing? That extra freedom and glide to have fun on waves you couldn’t surf on your surfboard. This is a throwback to those days, but with increased performance. The Revolution is the high performance SUP longboard that you can put on the roof of your car and have fun in any conditions, from ankle waves to way overhead. The Revolution is the complete board!
MATERIAL ENSIS
SCORE LIMITED EDITION
The Score Limited Edition will blow you away with its power, speed and yet easy maneuverability. Pure bliss, when you fly at full speed over the water and a jump catapults you high into the sky. The X-PLY wing material combined with the Hookipa weave used for the leading edge allows for an ultra-arid profile, pure power. The innovative stiff and perfectly positioned handles contribute to the high responsiveness. The Ensis Score Limited Edition is for any ambitious rider who wants to feel pure performance and top quality.
CODE FOILS
The range of Code Foils rear wings is: 142AR, 150AR, 158AR, 175AR and 188AR. Each wing has different characteristics, but in general they all offer a great balance between glide and carving ability. The 175AR and 188AR are more stable and have a bottom end more suitable for beginners and riders who need a little more control in the front end. On the other hand, the 150AR is versatile and balanced, recommended for intermediate to advanced riders. If you are looking for more maneuverability, the 175AR may be a better choice. For example, for beginner to intermediate foil downwind users, the 188AR is recommended, as it offers more height and safety. The right choice will depend on your weight, your preferred discipline and your ability.
SIC
KUNALU
The KŪNALU, a downwind SUP, wing and downwind foil specialist, is SIC’s highest performing foil board to date. It offers exceptional stability and effortless porpoising before pop-up, providing smooth, responsive riding with the agility of a shorter board. This remarkable performance is combined with sophisticated carbon tech support, making the KŪNALU a spectacle.
LANDBOARD
MOLOKAI
The Molokai is our new model of downwind SUP Foil and is an excellent board also to be used both with the wing and prone (lying down). The paddling speed is fast, which helps to make the foil take off quick and easy. Once launched, the board is designed to be stable and the length of the board helps you to carry the speed to the next bamp, this allows for greater efficiency when connecting waves.
This board is easy to use, and like all the boards we manufacture, it can be customized to any size and design.
The 5th edition of the SUP Challenge Cabo de Palos offered us an exciting day of Stand Up Paddle in this paradise of the Region of Murcia.
V SUP CHALLENGE CABO DE PALOS 2024
For the last 4 years, the Spanish SUP has been keeping an eye on Cabo de Palos. Year after year, this incredible place in the Region of Murcia offers us the SUP Challenge, a SUP Race competition very consolidated at national level, thanks to the support of the City Council of Cartagena and the whole team of SUP Club Cabo de Palos.
Last Saturday 19th October was the 5th edition, scoring for the Spanish Cup and the Mediterranean SUP Race Circuit 2024. As in every edition, the weather and sea conditions were the main focus of attention, with very changeable forecasts the days before the event, which finally subsided to enjoy a pleasant competition throughout the day of the event. The only significant change was for the Elite and U18 categories, modifying their course from other years due to the strong currents present in the area of the Cabo de Palos lighthouse.
However, as last year, the visibility of the different competitions of all categories was a plus for all the pub-lic attending the Levante beach. And the highlights were the finishes of the Elite, U18, Amateur and U16 categories; arriving at the finish line at the same time and generating a lot of spectacle on land. Very attractive long distance courses where we could see several trains in the upwind area and overtaking in the cleanest areas of the circuit.
Bianca Toncelli and Rubén Cantoral reigned in the U18 category, ahead of Henar Butragueño and Natalia Collado for the girls; and Enzo Ponzó and Alejandro Villanueva for the boys. Alexia Soto was the winner in the Elite women’s category, with Laura Paricio and Inés Blin in second place. Sergio Cantoral from Alicante took first place in the boys’ category, although it was not easy for him against Iván de Frutos, who took second place, with Iván Esteve closing the podium.
W
e highlight again the great participation, as usual in this Mediterranean SUP Race Circuit, the large number of participants in the Master and Kahuna categories. We highlight the great results of Laura Baccaro and Salva Mora in Master, Ana Domenech and Javier Coloma in Kahuna, and our international Andy Burrows in Gran Kahuna. We love the passion and motivation of these ¨SUPer@s¨, as they transmit it to other categories and motivate the atmosphere on the beach.
The SUB 14 male category offered us a great race, where Edu Mira and Lucas Chicoy fought until the end to climb to the top of the podium. Finally, Lucas took the victory in the last meters of the race. The rider Vega Soto was the winner in the female category.
The Popular competition closed this 5th edition of the SUP Challenge Cabo de Palos, where after a floral offering in the most Hawaiian style, thanking the sea and the environment for the great moments it gives us in each SUP session or any sport, paddled in a short circuit to enjoy the waters of Cabo de Palos and the atmosphere of this event.
As in previous editions of the SUP Challenge Cabo de Palos, the organization always works to make the SUP Challenge Cabo de Palos a totally sustainable and ecological event, taking care of all the details of the structure of this event and promoting the environmental care of the area of La Manga. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this event a reality, as well as the assistance of all the athletes, parents, family and friends. Not forgetting the great support of the Institute of Tourism of the Region of Murcia, Estación Náutica Costa Calida, Cartagena City Council, Cartagena Puerto de Culturas, Federación de Surf de la Región de Murcia, La Manga Consorcio, Hidrogea, Hero, Garvi Trigueros Correduría de Seguros, Avatel and Marca-ser Construcciones.
I t is worth commenting that we have seen a more festival-like edition than other years, with the same passion for the competition, but under a great atmosphere of fraternity and fellowship, en-joying every minute of the day without pressure. We believe that this should be the way forward for the SUP Challenge Cabo de Palos, and we are sure that next year will bring us more joy.
Les Ailes de Saint Tropez¨ is an event made by riders for riders. It is designed for high level competitors as well as intermediate riders to have a good time, whether on the water or on land. The goal is to give the participants what they came for: a good downwind!
We provide the riders with incredible facilities to ensure that the event is launched in the best possible downwind conditions. We have a fleet of boats with experienced pilots (used to the most prestigious sailing races), to transport the riders, to take them to the best possible starting point, taking into account the direction of the waves and the wind, and then to ensure their safety, whatever the sea conditions. This year the level in downwind foil, as in SUP Race was incredible.
Fred Bonnef Les Ailes de Saint Tropez / Yacht Club Saint Tropez
We started Thursday with a photoshooting and warm-up day for the competitors. I like this concept because, as well as ensuring good images, it allows the riders to get used to the place, to test their equipment, and for me as the organiser to check details: to observe the physical and technical level of the riders, to get the boat skippers used to the speed and specificity of the SUP Race and the downwind foil.
Friday, first day of SUP foiling competition. Things are starting to get serious, with a forecast that is not obvious, but we are convinced that something good awaits us. But in Saint Tropez there is absolutely no wind at all, and we will have to look for conditions outside the bay. We have big and comfortable zodiacs to transport all the riders and their foiling boards safely and comfortably, and to go upwind and waves. I can read in the eyes of the riders that on the one hand they’re excited about the boats available, and on the other hand they’re still unsure of what they’re going to find once they’re out there. I assure them that we are going to have good conditions and that they can still take the foils they need in case the sea is weaker than expected.
As we leave the bay, there is not much movement, but my gaze quickly fixes on a line of wind in the background after Cap Camarat. My friend Olivier Pasturel, who is organising the event with me, has seen it too. He knows the area perfectly well and is convinced that we are going to have the expected conditions. We pass the Cap Camarat headland and we see the eyes light up in a matter of minutes as we approach the finish line. I can hear the laughter and smiles: that’s pumping! Suddenly we are in 35 knots of wind, and big bumps. Even I freak out a bit as the weather forecast was for 12 to 14 knots in this area. We knew we were going to have more than expected, but I really didn’t expect it to be so incredible.
I see my Hawaiian friends Simeon, Hobey, Kawika and Eric jumping on the boat with excitement. The Australians Kai Thomson and Adrian Destang are screaming, as well as the guadeloupeans Romuald Mamadou, Melvin Mouret or Giovanni De la Rosa from Puerto Rico. My friend Ramon Pastor from Tarifa is also looking at me, flipping out: Wow...this is perfect!
The French look very happy too, but they already know what is in this area. They know that the area between Marseille and Saint Tropez and beyond is a paradise for downwind foiling. The waves and the wind are perfectly aligned, there are no tides or currents to complicate the reading, and the slightest bumps come in as well.
We go up to a bay sheltered from the wind on the island of Port Cros, an ex traordinary natural park, with a brutal and totally wild environment. It is the ideal place to set up the equipment, eat something, hydrate before sailing again, and this time with the equipment set up, to the area of the bumps. The first boats were off in good bumps, the first ones shot off, it was a good thing that we had anticipated this and sent boats well ahead to prepare the finish line because we knew that the 26 kilometers of the pick-up would be done in less than an hour for the best riders.
We quickly saw two trajectories, those going straight ahead to make as little distance as possible, and those going offshore to get more depth, that is, for the fastest foilers.
In the middle of the pick-up the bumps are very good, at the level of the Hawaii races or even better, because they are per fectly aligned and clean. Some people are with their knives be tween their teeth to get the best spot possible, others just enjoy a great downwind in an amazing environment.
France’s Tom Constant first, Thomas Goyard second and Australia’s Kai Thomson third finish close together, with hawaii’s Simeon Ke Paloma close behind. Olivia Piana, the only girl in the event, finished close behind them: ‘It was so good that I didn’t even think of it as a competition,’ said Olivia. In the words of Hawaii’s Hobey Moss: ‘It was better than Hawaii. And in the words of australian Kai Thomson: ‘It’s the best downwind foil event I’ve ever seen.
In the end there were only smiles at the finish and few were really interested in the standings, but rather in the incredible ex perience they had just had. In the evening, my phone was buzz ing with people telling me that they will be in Saint Tropez next year... I can see that in 2025 I will need more boats!
It’s Saturday and there’s no wind, the sea is flat, but it’s the ideal day to set up the first SUP foil relay event. A super fun event for the riders and spectacular for the spectators, which also allows everyone to work on their starts in flat water, try out different changes to their equipment and test each other’s equipment. The day goes by quickly when there is so much passion and so much desire to learn. After a good sunset, everyone shares their experiences around a good barbecue provided by the Saint Tropez Yacht Club, a great time for those who love the sea!
Sunday and still no wind, but the day is spectacular, sunny and warm. It’s time to launch the SUP Race. There is a lot of level in the water, and some surprises, like the foilers Melvin Mouret, Adrian Destang, Kai Thomson who decide to sign up for the SUP race and make the task more difficult for Ludo Teulade, Lois Chardebas... Among the women, the Tahitian Iloa Eychenne has come to challenge the world champion Melanie Lafenetre, and other very strong girls such as Emanuelle Marcon, Virginie Samson…
The course, around the bay of Saint Tropez, is simply spectacular with a natural park, the old town of Saint Tropez, multi-millionaires’ houses with turquoise water, a flat section, another slightly downwind section, and finishing in flat water until the final sprint.
No surprise among the men, Ludovic Teulade won after a good battle with Melvin Mouret. Among the girls, there was a very big surprise, as Iloa Eychenne (Canoe World Champion) clearly won ahead of Melanie Lafenetre and was third in the general classification. Remember this name because we will be hearing a lot about Iloa in SUP in the future (at the time of writing, she has already become French long distance champion).
Monday, the last day of the event. The wind picks up little by little, and above all, I see that there are small waves and the sea is moving. It’s time to get on the zodiacs, but this time, due to the wind direction, the start will be from offshore, with choppy conditions, and the riders arrive at the boat with the equipment almost ready. Leaving the bay, the wind is light, around 10 knots, but I can feel that the sea is strong thanks to the remains of a south-easterly squall. Among the riders, I can tell that some of them are struggling to choose which foil to use, but suddenly I see Tom Constant riding a 700 wing (very small), and that confirms what I was quietly thinking: the conditions are much better than they look! The light wind is deceptive and once the start is given, everyone flies very fast and the 8 km is done in less than 20 minutes for Tom Constant, ahead of the Hawaiian Hobey Moss and the Frenchman Thomas Goyard. Shortly after, New Caledonia resident Alexandre Janin and Kai Thomson arrive.
I have to say that never in my career as an organiser or race director have I heard so many positive comments about an event, and I can only see that the event, and the sport of downwind foiling in general, is going to grow a lot next year...
2V Manilva SUP Race
THE SECOND EDITION
CELEBRATED A NEW COSTA
DEL SUP 2024 EVENT IN STYLE
Last 21st of September took place the second edition of the 2V Manilva SUP Race. An event born under the protection of the Andalusian circuit Costa del SUP, to continue giving quality sporting options to the large number of fans of this sport that there are throughout the Andalusian provinces, and of course, an opportunity for our young talents can be trained in the competition in the face of major sporting commitments. In this sense, the event that is being held in Manilva, aims to offer a demanding test, in which riders have to test their expertise as we are in a coastal region, such as the Campo de Gibraltar, where sea conditions are often fickle and very influenced by currents and winds.
So the day in Manilva dawned with a threat of rain and some swell although wind was not expected until later in the morning. With this scenario began the smallest, in their respective categories, enjoying and making us enjoy their sportsmanship and enthusiasm, facing without batting an eyelid to whatever it was. And as the categories progressed, the sea conditions became more demanding, according to the skills required to participate in each of them, until reaching the largest category, where we could enjoy the riders taking out all their weapons to face a test in which nothing was missing.
A demanding, hard test, but that undoubtedly delighted its participants and in which a great Alvaro Blanco of the Hercules team, shone and dominated from start to finish taking the overall victory. Followed closely by his teammate Jorge Valenzuela and the junior Rodrigo Lopez the honubense of the team paddle surf Fuengirola who progresses by leaps and bounds, achieving third place overall and first in its category, followed by a young talent Kornel Krisztian Toth who surely we will see in future events and we will have to take into account.
Nick Gandano Club Paddle Surf Manilva
As for the girls, Marina Navarro won the race, demonstrating that even in extreme conditions the Malaga rider from the Hoenalu team dominates her category, followed by the incombustible Isabel Valverde and the newcomer to the master category, Ana Estable, both from the Fuengirola club. In the Men’s Master category Fofi Recio from team Hercules took the top of the podium, followed by José Antonio Paniz and Francisco Gómez both from the Manilva club.
The Kahuna as usual in the Costa del SUP show exceptional strength and technique, and there we had Josu Allica of team Hoenalu, who has no intention of winning any event, followed by Ivan Martinez, the Hawaiian, Moises Lopez of the Triana club and Magdalena Vergillos in the women’s category.
As for the junior categories, it is obligatory to mention Alvaro Coscollano, who is undoubtedly in excellent form, and we look forward to seeing him soon competing in junior, where he will surely be fighting for the top positions. Second place went to Luis del Pino from the Triana club and third to Lucas Pimentel from Manilva. In the women’s category Laura Ailing Sanchez once again took first place followed by Katrina Hansen. The U14 category went to Ana Moreno Sancho and Alfred Gregory Barbeito respectively.
One more year, the amateur category is proving that this sport is alive and that more and more people are venturing to compete with 14¨ boards, either to take a step further or simply to enjoy a day of competition on more affordable courses. Reflecting this is the large number of entries in these categories that undoubtedly give an added value and an excellent atmosphere in each event.
The organization of the 2v Manilva SUP Race thanks all its sponsors for their selfless support to this sport, in order to promote it and promote Stand Up Paddle on the coast of Manilva in this case and in Andalusia in general.
Up Suping Shannon Stent
GabrielaBella
Gabriella, it is a great pleasure to have you in our magazine. How is this 2024 being for you? How do you feel?
Thank you so much. This year has been one of the most fun years of my life so far, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all the opportunities that have come up and the people who have encouraged me to say yes to trying new things. I’ve found myself more inspired than ever to learn and pro-gress, and foiling allows that process to never end.
Tell us how was your preparation for the Koa Kai Triple Crown and how do you value your great results in each of your events?
2023 was my first year competing in downwind foiling, as well as my first time crossing the Pailolo and Kaiwi channels (Maui to Molokai and Molokai to Oahu). It was an amazing experience that really ignited a fire in me to prepare and progress as much as possible for the following year. My preparations for the race season this year focused mostly on getting time on the water and be-coming as comfortable with my gear and the downwind runs as possible. Keeping consistency as a priority leading up to the competition helped a lot, as just one fall can cost you the whole race. I’m really happy with how the race season went, and although results were less important to me than personal progress, it was really nice to achieve a bit of both. I learned a lot and walked away with even more ways to improve for next year. I took 2nd place
at Paddle Imua, 1st place at M2M, and 3rd place at M20, culminating in 2nd place in the first-ever Koa Kai Triple Crown.
It is a real wonder to see your videos on social networks, enjoying all the modalities of Foil. How do you describe your passion for this sport and the environment where you practice it?
To me, foiling feels too good to be true, and when you combine that with the wild conditions and breathtaking beauty of Maui, there are really no words to describe how wonderful it is. Another aspect I love about foiling is that there is a discipline for every condition, which allows us to be on the water pretty much every day, unlike so many other water sports.
What is it about downwind foil that gets you so hooked? What sensations does it give you to be offshore connecting one wave to another over and over again?
Downwind foiling is a thrill like no other. It is essentially wave riding, but instead of waiting at a surf break, we venture offshore. With the insane efficiency of foils these days, it allows us to ride wind swell, which can be anywhere from ankle-high to well overhead. Connecting bumps down the coast requires a unique skill of reading the terrain on the water and making early decisions that will set you up to connect bump after bump instead of riding into the flats. Combining endless wave riding with a heated 3D chess game makes for an experience you can’t wait to have more of. The speed, glide, and feeling of continuously dropping in for miles at a time is incredible, and the amount of fun we have downwind foiling is off the charts.
Tell us what material you usually use depending on the conditions and modalities, and your feeling with Axis material.
Riding Axis foils has been a perfect fit for me, as they have a foil option to suit every condition. This allows me to never miss a session and feel really confident in my gear across all foil disciplines.
The newly released Art V2s have become a staple in my foil quiver and my go-to choice for surf foiling, wing foiling, and cruising downwind. I love that the team at Axis is so passionate about foiling and creating great products, and I feel very inspired by their efforts to constantly improve and progress.
How was the experience with the mild European cold at the Crozon Foil Festival?
Being spoiled by the warm tropical weather at home made for a bit of a difficult adjustment to the cold water and wetsuit life, but it was well worth braving the cold for some of the amazing ses-sions we had in Crozon. Hopefully, on my next trip, I’ll be more prepared and spend less time in the water shivering!
Tell us about the atmosphere among all the athletes, friends and foil lovers. There is a very strong community all over the world!
The foiling community is the most welcoming, supportive, and overall stoked group of people ever. I’m constantly blown away by the enthusiasm surrounding the sport and how positive the whole experience of foiling is, thanks to the amazing community across the world.
What are the most amazing places where you have experienced great moments with your foil team? And for sure Maui can’t miss in that list....
Foiling at home with friends is something that is hard to top, and I feel so lucky to live on Maui and have the renowned Maliko downwind run to enjoy. There have been some unforgettable moments foiling during my recent travels that I value highly in my memory bank. After this summer of rac-ing, a trip opportunity arose to go to Indonesia, where I was able to foil on insane waves and discover spots that were absolute foil heaven. A recent session that blew me away was a 30km downwinder in France leading up to the Crozon Foil Festival; the conditions were wild, and it felt like victory at sea, but in the best possible way.
What would you say to the young promises who want to enter the world of foiling? What steps should they follow to enjoy the most?
It is an amazing time to be learning to foil and entering the world of foiling. My main piece of ad-vice for both new and seasoned foilers alike is to enjoy the process. Learning to foil is challenging, but there is so much fun to be had even in the struggle. It takes an open-minded person to want to try foiling, and if you can maintain that same open-minded perspective throughout your journey in foiling, you will
continuously encounter opportunities to learn and keep the passion burning.
Thanks to….
Thank you to everyone who has cheered me on and supported me throughout the past few years, especially Axis Foils, Kalama Performance, Black Project SUP, LF Supply, and Kaohi Leashes. An-other thank you goes to the Maui water sports community, which provides me with so much inspi-ration on what a life lived enjoying your passions can look like
Pablo Franco
Pablo Franco
SAN FRAN CIS CO
A
WALK ALONG THE USA WEST COAST
I was in the final stretch of an exciting journey through incredible cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco, passing through the Grand Canyon of Colorado, where I had the opportunity to see the most incredible sunrise of my life. I travelled like a movie freak. I visited locations from movies and series or videoclips like Marty McFly’s house from Back to the Future, or the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills where Richard Gere stays in the popular movie Pretty Woman. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel where Ghostbusters was filmed, or the house that appears in the Thriller video clip by the famous artist Michael Jackson, and the house next door where the famous series Charmed took place.
Rodrigo Moral
I was on my way to do one of the last activities on this trip, a ¨paddlelera¨ crossing of the San Francisco Bay with Joey, head of the Dogpatch club. Well, Dogpatch Paddle started as a community club during the height of the pandemic. When Crane Cove Park opened in September 2020, the club was founded to connect local paddlers to share information on safety, routes, environment, techniques, connections and equipment. Now, with over 1200 local members, Dogpatch Paddle Club is a voice for our paddle community and a social club with regular free events.
From these humble beginnings they have catered to their members’ demand for services such as rentals, lessons, youth programs and storage. In April 2021 Dogpatch Paddle Shop opened to provide these services and added retail sales. Today, it is the thriving heart of the Crane Cove community, hosting hundreds of children in youth camps and teaching locals and visitors alike the skills, safety and joy of paddle sports. Looking ahead, they have partnered with the YMCA of San Francisco on their successful proposal for Building 49 at 701 Illinois Street within Crane Cove Park. They anticipate opening their doors in the fall of 2024.
Dogpacth is located next to one of San Francisco’s most modern beaches in the Crane Cove park district. It took ten years to build, from design to opening. It quickly became the crown jewel of the neighbourhood with recreational opportunities unique to San Francisco. Today, this area is the best place to access the bay for recreational water sports.
Joey and I waded out into part of the San Francisco Bay and could see from the water the NBA Chase Center basketball stadium or the Oracle Park baseball stadium as well as the incredible skyline of this wonderful city. But if I had to highlight something spectacular on this trip, it was the sea lions that, curious and harmlessly, played around our boards. They are completely harmless animals, although it is important not to get too close or invade their territory. Joey was very attentive with me, and the amount of anecdotes, as well as the history of this city, made this trip a highly recommendable activity and one that I would certainly recommend to anyone who wants to visit this city.
CABO DE GATA-NÍJAR SUP FESTIVAL 2024
A day to remember
Last Saturday 12th October, the SUP Race returned to Cabo de Gata-Níjar in the form of a competition on the beach of San José. A day that will be remembered by the 130 participants, friends and family who came to this Almeria paradise from different parts of Andalusia, Alicante, Fuerteventura, Basque Country and Asturias, among other places.
The sporting objective was to compete in one of the official tests of the Costa del SUP circuit, being a scoring test for the Spanish Cup of Fesurfing. In addition, celebrate the return of this great Stand Up Paddle event after 5 years of absence with a concert, clinics, raffles and activities for the public.
Under the organisation of the MedialunAventura team, volunteers and the support of nationally and internationally recognised experts in the sport, the beach of San José was the main stage for this festival, on a magnificent day for this type of SUP competition, both for the athletes and for the public.
The beginning of the competition was in charge of the youngest athletes, with Fátima Rodriguez Jiménez and Francisco Gómez Fernández as winners of the SUB 8 category. The SUB 10 category followed, with Nora Lhassar Estable and Elías Agudo Villegas climbing to the top of the podium, as well as India Del Río Sánchez and Ignacio Morales Muñoz in the SUB 12 category. However, we highlight as always the great effort and commitment of every one of the competitors who participated in these categories.
The beach of San José gathered more than 130 participants enjoying a wonderful day of competition and coexistence
Nuria Chiquero won the first position in the U16 women, followed by Carla Ibáñez and Laura Ailing. The young Basque Aetz Ibarloza took the first position for the boys, ahead of Lucas Pimentel Coque respectively. As for the U18, the rider Blanca Toncelli showed a great performance taking the first position in the women’s category. Álvaro Coscollano and Kornel Krisztian Toth completed the men’s podium.
In the Elite category, Antonio Morillo from Cadiz was unrivalled, climbing to the top of the podium ahead of Javier del Río Muñoz. Santi Cantó from Alicante won in the Master category, accompanied by Ruben Ponce Díaz and Francisco Gómez Carrasco. And Victoria Sánchez, Gadea Ibarloza and Nana García obtained the same results but in the women’s category. We highlight the results of Antonio Dominguez first position in Kahuna, followed by Quique Bizcocho and Julio Pérez.
With the sea and the weather calm, the competition of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar SUP Festival continued with the SUB 14 category, where Beatriz Bizcocho got the first position ahead of Carmen González Moreno, great level shown by both riders. As well as the boys, where Alfred Gregory Barbeito was the winner for the boys, followed by Borja Camacho Ortega and Marco Mazure Méndez.
The Amateur category, one of the most loved and important for the growth of this sport, gave us great images to remember; filling the waters of San José with ¨SUPers¨ together with the Popular category, who also enjoyed and lived the experience of competing in this festival.
To highlight the great results obtained by Magdalena Muñoz Martínez, Natalia María Hidalgo and María del Rocío Pérez in the female Amateur inflatable category, and Alberto Molina Boyero, Fran González Romero and Pedro Manuel Méndez in the male category. The rigid boards were also the main protagonists, with Juan de Dios Rodríguez, Abel Porras and Gianluca Toncelli taking the podium, and Ana Estable Díaz, Susana Ron Bravo and Gabriela Bustamante accompanying them in the women’s category.
Once again we would like to highlight the importance of the massive participation in the Popular category, congratulating the winner Esther Carrillo Arcos and the winner César González in this category, and encouraging the organisers of other races to continue promoting this model of competition for everyone.
After the different competitions, participants and companions enjoyed a well-deserved rest in the town square of San José, accompanied by music and food. Afterwards, the SUP Cabo de Gata-Níjar Festival came to an end with the prize-giving ceremony, raffles of material and a concert in the same place, with a fantastic atmosphere, despite the rain that visited us late in the afternoon-evening.
The following day, a clinic was held by the international rider Antonio Morillo with about fifteen participants, who took the opportunity to get more skills in this form of Stand Up Paddle and tips to continue to evolve technically.
We must thank once again the people of San José for their kindness and collaboration to make this great sporting event a reality, as well as the great team of MedialunAventura, Diputación de Almería, Costa de Almería, Ayuntamiento de Níjar, Asemparna, Costa del SUP and Fesurfing.
A great weekend for our sport in Almeria, hoping to get more participants from this wonderful Andalusian province and with our eyes already set on the 2025 edition, because SUP and its athletes will come back to this paradise!
Lucía Clembosky
J. Barboza A.Rodríguez
Let’s start differently. What do you think architecture and Stand Up Paddle have in common? Surprise us...(laughs)
Well, we start with a difficult and nice question to answer (laughs) I think I could say that what architecture and SUP have in common is that neither has a single way of doing it, in both you can develop your style, look and study references, and do it the way you like. Also, within your style, they have their variables...and that makes it much more entertaining. Not all terrains are the same and not all waters have the same conditions, and that’s the magic. Arriving at each new place to visualise a project or a paddle based on what you have in front of you.
In both there is a planning and a process, on the way to a final goal. Architecture made me understand that there are ups and downs, that there are moments of more or less motivation and en-thusiasm, but that if you are sure of your final goal, you return to the focus and go for it.
Your connection with the Paraná River goes back to when you were very young. When did SUP appear in your life?
My connection with the Paraná River was when I was about 10 years old when I did optimist, which was an optional activity offered by the school I went to. At that time I didn’t do any activities on the river, nor did I go very often, but that awakened in me the desire to do it. However at that time, because of so many other activities I had, I postponed the desire for several years. Until SUP appeared in my life in the summer of 2018. At that time I was studying outside my city where I had lived all my childhood and adolescence, and in the summer when I returned to spend my holi-days, I got bored and wanted to find some activity in the water. At that time, I took my first lessons and fell in love with the sport.
Up Suping Jersson Barboza. Ariel Rodríguez. Pablo Franco
J. Barboza
J. Barboza
Tell us about the great experience you had last year at the ISA World Championship in France with the Argentinian national team.
Wow... a dream come true! Last year having my first world championship was a dream that I had been longing for since I was a little girl. All my life I have done sports at a competitive level and always very focused, with the desire to one day represent my flag, and my country. To have lived that was crazy! Seeing people from all the countries of the world, with their different cultures, languages, customs, competition teams, and thousands of other differences, but at the end of the day, all rowing together representing our countries and with the same goal...it was magical. It is an experience that I will never forget!
In addition, you participate in other events all over America. Do you see many differences com-pared to what you experience with SUP in Argentina?
I’m quite new to the sport and I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in many international events yet, just the ISA World Cup last year in France and the America’s Cup this year in Colombia. And yes, I see a lot of difference, mainly in the easy access to equipment of the best brands, either by the price, the delay in arrival, etc...This also makes a difference, because in Argentina most of the riders have 1 board and 1 paddle, unlike what I could see in the World Cup, that depending on the discipline and the water conditions, they could choose what was better. On the other hand I think that only now the sport in our country is becoming more professional, and more and more riders have a coach who accompanies them and follows them.
We can see that you have a very good command of practically all the Stand Up Paddle modalities. How do you manage to maintain this mastery? How do you handle yourself with the waves?
I think what makes me able to perform quite well in all disciplines is that I train for all of them, I don’t train for just one in particular. I like them all and I want to be able to participate in all of them, and although I know that if you want to specialise in one, in particular, you have to train specifically for that one, I think that all the training adds up and strengthens you for all of them.
In the waves is the course that is most difficult for me because I don’t practice it much, I live 12 hours away from the Argentinean sea and in general I only go there when there is competition. It was a scenario that cost me a lot to learn, but thanks to the fact that in recent times I have taken advantage of the opportunity to go on holiday in the same place where we usually compete and where friends of the sport live, I have been able to improve my performance and I no longer suf-fer so much from the races in the sea (laughs).
Tell us about the physical and emotional work you do to be very strong in every training session and competition.
The physical work I do to be strong I think it comes from discipline and perseverance. It’s getting up every day and doing the training that you have to do, always doing it conscientiously. And alt-hough it’s no small thing, I think it’s the easier of the two (laughs) The emotional part is very important in sport, there are many things going around in a person’s thoughts that distract us, and a lot of things that affect us, sometimes to add to us, which is welcome, but sometimes they subtract from us. And it is very hard work to get rid of all those ‘ghosts’, to put them aside and just focus and connect with your paddling. I still have a lot of work to do on both aspects, but I think the emo-tional aspect is even more important. Today, thanks to my coach Natalia de la Lama, I feel very supported, motivated and emotionally accompanied, and always grateful to the beautiful people around me, my family and my friends, who with incentives and motivations help me to sustain myself, grow and believe in me.
By the time this interview is published, you will be or will have participated in the ICF World Championship in Sarasota. What are your objectives and expectations for this great international competition?
My main objective for this new international experience is very much related to my previous an-swer. I don’t have any positional objectives to be honest, although obviously, I aspire to improve compared to my first world championship. But mainly I want to feel more prepared, physically I will because I am training with much more commitment and dedication, but more than anything mentally, understanding that I am in a world championship representing my country and I want to achieve the best results I can give of myself. Last year was the experience of going to a world championship for the first time, but without feeling very prepared at a competitive level, today I live it in a different way; with a lot of enthusiasm too, but also focused on giving the best of me, and achieve the best results, for that I have to be very strong in my head.
Human beings are insatiable and we often want to find our best selves. What do you think are your points to improve?
I feel that I have improved my commitment to training on water and land, but I still need to im-prove my nutrition, rest, stretching, meditation and concentration, and, as I was explaining, my mental work. Although I feel I have strength, for example, I have never abandoned a race, not even my first technical race in the sea of only 6km in which I must have fallen about 30 times and never stopped rolling in the waves (laughs), but there is much more to work on and strengthen. I lack selfconfidence and I think, as I said before, that’s an essential aspect to perform well and achieve good results.
Thanks to...
First, I want to thank Up Suping for contacting me and making this article, I feel very happy and grateful for this! And of course, I want to thank all the people who were and are part of this beau-tiful path I’m paddling: my family who supported me, accompanied me and helped me both psy-chologically and economically whenever I needed it. To all those who have been my teachers and references in the sport, to the school where it all started ¨SUP Paraná¨, to my students from whom I have learned a lot too, to my psychologist who always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, to my friends of life who from day one were and celebrated by my side, and to my friends of the wa-ter that thanks to them SUP makes me much happier.
DISCOVER HUELVA FESTIVAL
More than a hundred athletes gathered last Saturday July 20th at the Central Beach of Isla Cristina to celebrate the 9th edition of the Discover Huelva SUP Festival. A classic event of the national Stand Up Paddle in the middle of summer, under the great organization of the Club W. Isla Cristina and the Municipal Sports Service of Isla Cristina.
Up Suping Carlota Parras
As every edition, this SUP Race competition was valid for the Fesurfing Spanish Cup; stage of the Andalusian SUP Coast Circuit, Andalusian Championship and always to promote this sport.
The weather forecasts were met, with a magnificent day with different conditions for the practice of this sport, with very attractive routes in front of the Central beach of Isla Cristina for all the public to see it and under the festive essence that characterizes it.
The Discover Huelva SUP Festival is also characterised by raising awareness of the sport and promoting it among children. This year the protagonism has been taken by the SUB 8 to SUB 16 categories, with many riders from Isla Cristina, who kicked off this day of competitions. The excellent sea conditions and the support of all the public present on the beach cheer them on making the future SUP Race champions enjoy every paddle, and we hope they will continue to practice this and other water activities. Thanks to Rocio Bensaid and Emilio from Windzone for their unconditional support to these young riders and teach them the values of this sport!
To highlight the great results of Fátima Rodríguez and Javier Martinez in U8, Nora Lhassar and Fernando García de Zúñiga in U10, India del Río and Pablo Calvo in U12, Enzo Ponzó and Beatriz Bizcocho in U14, and Álvaro del Pino and Laura Ailing in U16.
For the Elite and U18 categories, it would be their first race of the day, as in the afternoon they had a second competition; at the end of the day the sum of the times of both races for the final classification. A circuit with turns of buoys, portage and overtaking offered a lot of spectacle to this model of racing, under an intense heat on this day of competition.
The Amateur category accompanied these skilled SUP racers, making a total distance of approximately 5 km and giving life to one of the most important and enjoyed categories of Paddle Surf. Here we highlight the results of Olga Molina and Álvaro Gómez in Rigid Amateur, and Natalia Ochoa and Fran González in Inflatable Amateur.
In the Elite category, the local rider Augusto García, European Champion with the National Stand Up Paddle Team was unrivalled, winning both races of the day, and demonstrating once again the great level he possesses. On the women’s side, Victoria Sanchez also managed to climb to the top of the podium in both races and become one of the most consistent riders in the Costa del SUP circuit.
Next year the 10th edition of the Discover Huelva SUP Festival will be held, where they will undoubtedly continue betting and working for this type of races in which the federated competition and the promotion among the youngest will be combined. It will be a magnificent anniversary that we will celebrate in style!
We would like to thank the Institutional Support of the Junta de Andalucía, Andalucía Región Europea del Deporte, Diputación Provincial de Huelva, Puerto de Huelva, SMD del Ayuntamiento de Isla Cristina, our coverage at sea with Salvamento Marítimo, Protección Civil and the sponsors Brandt, Hotel Estival Isla Cristina, Starboard, Usisa, Frutas Masía Cis- car, Covey, 21 horas, Up Suping and Emilio with his great team of Windzone that one more year welcome us in their center in the best possible way.
On September 7th, Duchenne World Awareness Day, wingfoilers Doré De Morsier and Yo Wiebel successfully completed their challenging wingfoil journey across the English Channel. The goal was to raise awareness and funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Covering about 60-70 nautical miles from Cherbourg, France, to the Needles in England, they faced strong tides, tricky currents, and busy shipping lanes. ENSIS proudly supported their effort, which combined their love of wingfoiling with a cause close to their hearts.foili con una causa cercana a sus corazones.
Wingfoiling across the English Channel for Duchenne Awareness
A Challenge Well-Prepared For
After the crossing, Yo Wiebel shared how they prepared for the trip and dealt with tough conditions on the water. Equipped with safety boats, GPS trackers, and different wing sizes, they made sure they were ready for whatever came their way. Despite the changing winds, rough waves, and a few crashes, Yo and Doré completed the journey, showing great determination.
This adventure wasn’t just about wingfoiling—it was about supporting those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that keeps many from doing the activities we enjoy. For Yo, the cause is personal, and this crossing was a way to bring attention and help to those in need.
Chatting with Yo
The Duchenne Boys fundraiser is traditionally a run, what made you decide to take the challenge on water?
Last year, I was in Brazil for the whole autumn, so I couldn’t attend the Duchenne Run. That’s when the idea for Foil4Duchenneboys started. Balz liked the idea, and we did a long downwinder of 130 km along the Brazilian coast last year. We wanted to do more. This year, unfortunately, Balz couldn’t join, so I asked a few other riders, and Doré was in.
It was a long trip. Did you guys pack a lunch? Jokes aside, what did you have to arrange to ensure a safe trip—support boats, GPS systems, etc.? I’m really interested in any special preparations one might not consider when traveling over 100 km to another country while foiling.
Of course, we packed lunch! Seriously, yes, we had small backpacks or carried stuff in our life vests. We both had big Camelbaks with energy drinks inside, as well as a few nut bars and cereal bars. Regarding safety, I have some experience from other trips on small sailing boats. We were the first people to foil around Cape Horn in 2015 on a Nacra 20 FCS (with Franck Cammas). In 2017, we set an unofficial 24-hour record on the same boat, covering 361 nautical miles (with Simon Koster). In 2019, I crossed the Channel from Cowes to St. Malo on a 15ft foiling catamaran (with Tamara Baumann), so I’m kind of used to this stuff. We both had a waterproof VHF radio and a waterproof cellphone. Furthermore, we brought a GPS with a tracking function, so everyone could follow us live.
For this trip, it was the first time we chose to have a safety boat. It was always within 500 meters of us. We decided to have it in case we damaged equipment or injured ourselves. It’s also a very busy shipping route, with huge cargo ships that wouldn’t see us on their instruments and wouldn’t even notice if they ran us over. That’s why we chose to go with a support boat!
What were the conditions like during the crossing, did yourself or Doré run into any problems on the water?
The conditions were very different from our lakes back home—challenging. We didn’t encounter any major problems, but it was really difficult, and we crashed a lot more than we expected. The wind was between 12 and 31 knots and changed often. The weather fluctuated a lot; we had both sun and rain. The biggest challenge was the sea state and the waves. In the beginning, the waves came with the tidal current, so it was manageable. But after 2 hours, the tidal current switched, and it came against the wind. The waves grew steeper and more chaotic. Combined with the waves from all the cargo ships and ferries, it was complete mayhem. It wasn’t possible to find a rhythm with the waves—just when you got comfortable, the conditions changed again. Moreover, there was a lot of seaweed, so if you didn’t pay attention, you’d crash.
The channel is notorious for changing wind and ocean conditions, how did you decide what size wing to take, if the conditions did change, were you able to swap equipment?
We started with a 4.5m wing but decided near Calais to go with a bit more power to ensure an easier start. We crossed using 5.2m wings. Yes, we had all sizes from 2.8m to 6.6m on the support boat, so we could adapt if the wind changed drastically. We both decided to use the ENSIS INFINITY, which glides early and has an impressive top speed as well.
Making a difference
You’re taking on these challenges for a noble cause. Why is the Duchenne Boys fundraiser so close to your heart? Is there anything you’d like people to know?
I personally know a boy affected by this disease, and it’s really hard to witness. Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy lose muscle function over time. Their movements gradually regress, and as they get older, they require more technical support and eventually need assistance just to breathe. It’s incredibly tough for both the kids and their families. These children aren’t able to participate in the sports and activities that we love and enjoy, so my goal is to raise awareness, funds, and support for them.
Doré and Yo’s successful crossing of the English Channel shows how passion for wingfoiling can be used to support an important cause. Their dedication to raising awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, despite the tough conditions they faced, is truly inspiring. By combining their skills with a meaningful purpose, they’ve helped bring attention to those who need it most, proving that sports can make a real difference. If you’d like to support the Duchenne Boys and Yo’s mission, visit foiling-school. com to donate.
Interested in anything wing or foil?
Interested in events ENSIS are hosting or attending or want to try out the gear? Be sure to follow our social media for future announcements, or check out the DEMO DAY page, for future events.The ENSIS team is highly skilled in wing foiling and is eager to assist you in starting your wing foiling journey. Our worldwide retailers offer a variety of ENSIS products. Contact us now to learn more about our products or locate an ENSIS retailer nearby.
SEVIlla SUP FESTIVAL 2024
The 8th edition brought together more than 150 athletes from different places of Spain
Last Saturday 26th October, the city of Seville hosted again an event that welcomes great Stand Up Paddle enthusiasts from all over Andalusia and other parts of our country. We are talking about the Sevilla SUP festival, a competition that closed the magnificent Costa del SUP 2024 circuit, and also scoring for the Spanish Cup of Fesurfing. Without forgetting the 3rd edition of the Milla ¨Ciudad de Sevilla¨, which was held in the afternoon, before the rain made an appearance.
The Elite, U-18, U-16, U-14 and Amateur categories kicked off the competition, following the same course as in the first editions of this sports festival. A very attractive course for all the public, where you can watch the athletes very closely and cheer them on at all times. They even talk to each other and encourage each other, as they cross each other without disturbing each other and make the Guadalquivir always have SUP lovers paddling in its waters.
Esperanza Barreras and Antonio Morillo, current athletes of the National SUP Team, climbed to the top in the Elite category. They were accompanied by Rocío Bensaid for the girls, and Augusto García and Álvaro Blanco for the boys. The performance of all of them has been fabulous. As well as the U18 men who shone in Seville, with an unbeatable Jorge Valenzuela, followed by Álvaro Coscollano and Kornel Krisztian Toth.
The Costa del SUP circuit is also known for its Masters athletes, who attend many competitions in Andalucía and take the competition factor very seriously. Riders Antonio Sudón, Oscar Ruiz and Fofi Recio had a great competition, paddling practically the whole race together at a great pace, with Jaime taking first place. The Andalusian Marina Navarro has shown a great level, as she has level, as we are used to, achieving the first position in the women’s category ahead of Gadea Ibarloza and Victoria Sanchez.
The Kahunas are also very strong in Andalucía and all of Spain, with the great Moises López taking the victory, followed by Antonio Meléndez and the Mallorcan Sebastián Montserrat. As for the girls, the entire podium went to Mallorca, with Silvia Canudas winning on the girls’ side, followed by Eva Trobat and Bea Canudas. Thanks to all the people of Port Adriano for coming to the Sevilla SUP Festival 20204!
The Amateur category, where the Costa del SUP moves more athletes, crowded the waters of the Guadalquivir, with Rubén Ponce and Ana Estable climbing to the top of the podium for the rigid boards. Fran González and Magda Muñoz did the same, but with inflatable boards.
The U16 category was very close, especially for the boys, where Álvaro del Pino took the first position, having to give everything in the last metres against Aetz Ibarloza. Lucas Pimentel closed the podium for the boys. Laura Ailing, a regular on this circuit and also at the Sevilla SUP Festival, took first place in front of Ana Serrano for the girls.
Club Deportivo Traiana had great results in this edition, with a young Borja Camacho taking first place in the U14 boys, followed by Carlos Rodriguez and Marco Mazure. Mallorca would again fill a podium, but this time with the competitors Pia Ravina, Martina Trobat and Amanda Mari on the part of the girls in that category.
We highlight the great performances of the youngest, with Lucas García and Alicia Bizcocho winning in the SUB 12 category, doing the same Fernando García de Zúñiga and Nora Lhassar in SUB 10. And without forgetting Fátima Rodríguez and Alberto Galán, who won in the SUB 8 category.
After lunch at the Lonja del Barranco Market and the awards ceremony of the Sevilla SUP festival, the 3rd edition of the Milla ¨Ciudad de Sevilla¨ took place, where the islanders Augusto García and Rocío Bensaid completed the course in first position. Thanks to the rest of the participants for having generated a lot of excitement in this mile, which ended shortly before the heavy rain made an appearance in Triana.
Big thanks to all the athletes, friends and family for coming to the 8th edition of the Sevilla SUP festival, as well as to Augusto and all the team of Club Windsurf Isla Cristina and Club Deportivo Triana. Thanks also to Mercado Lonja del Barranco, Powerade, Starboard, Covey, Instituto Municipal de Deportes, Usisa, Heineken, Coca Cola, Fesurfing, Costa del SUP, 21 horas and Up Suping.
CAMPEONATO GUIPUZCOANO DE SUP GIPUZKOAKO TXAPELKETA
On November 2 was held in the waters of the town of Hondarribia, the Gipuzkoa SUP championship (¨Gipuzkoako Txapelketa¨). Organized by the historical Triki of the club hondarribiarra HS2 and Enrique of the club Fortuna of Donosti under the auspices of the Gupuzkoako Surfing Federation. With categories for all, making protagonists the youngest, the Amateurs and a great inclusive SUP mode, an example to follow in other future tests. These categories made a short course within the bay of Hondarribia beach. The Elite Open and U18 categories made a route of approximately 8.5 kms. from the beach itself to the lighthouse of Higer and then turn to French waters, arriving very close to the Twins and then make a portage on the beach of Hendaye before crossing the mouth of the Bidasoa ending at the beach of Hondarribia itself.
Two things contributed to the enormous success of the event: the magnificent weather of the weekend in Euskadi and the north of the Peninsula, as well as a succulent prize money for the winners, which caused the arrival of riders from different geographical points such as France, Galicia, Cantabria or La Rioja among others. In the women’s elite podium we highlight the victory in extremis of Melanie Lafenetre ahead of Elene Etxebarria, completing the podium the local Gadea Ibarloza. In the men’s category the victory went to the Cantabrian Manuel Hoyuela ahead of Bastian Grimm and Beñat Villagarcía. The champions of Guipuzcoa, and therefore deserving of the ¨Gipuzkoako Txapelketa¨ were Elene and Unax Etxebarria, young Basques whose progression continues unstoppable.
Pablo Codesido FederArte. Gipuzkoako Surf Federazoia
