By Tom Lloyd, La Jolla, California, Nov 16, 2018: The world’s top SUP surfers, SUP racers, and Paddleboarders are preparing to compete in the 2018 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) from November 23 – December 2 in Wanning, China – marking the first time the event has been held in Asia in its seven-year history.
196 athletes from 27 nations will represent their country and stake their claims for the individual Gold Medals and coveted World Team Champion Trophy – with the 2018 edition also including the first Junior U-18 Gold Medals in the SUP Technical Races, showcasing the future talent of SUP on a global stage.
Elite athletes from around the world have already confirmed their presence at the event, including past ISA Gold Medalists Michael Booth (AUS), Shakira Westdorp (AUS), Luiz Diniz (BRA), Casper Steinfath (DEN), Titouan Puyo (FRA), Daniel Hasulyo (HUN), Candice Appleby (USA), and Connor Baxter (USA).
Team Australia return, having been dominant since the event’s inception in 2012, winning the Team Gold in five out of six occasions.
A stellar Gold Medal performance by USA in 2015 is the only blemish on the Aussies’ record.
196 athletes from 27 nations to compete for Gold/Paddleboard Championship/
Having been involved in the development of SUP Racing and Surfing for a decade, the ISA ran the first edition of the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in 2012 in Peru.
Succeeding editions of the event were held in Peru (2013), Nicaragua (2014), Mexico (2015), Fiji (2016), and Denmark (2017).
2018 edition in Wanning, China set to crown first U-18 Gold Medalists/Paddleboard Championship
As the long-time, undisputed World Championship for SUP, the 2017 WSUPPC held in Denmark made history as the first to feature a complete gender equity format, offering equal slots for men and women on each participating team.
The 2018 edition will continue to utilize this format, which has led to increased participation from women around the globe.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“The ISA is excited to bring the WSUPPC to Asia for the first time.
We have committed to growing and spreading the sport around the world, and bringing the event to one of the world’s most populous countries, China, creates great opportunity to gain traction in Asia.
“Wanning’s Riyue Bay and Shenzhou Peninsula will provide excellent venues for the world’s best to perform in front of a global audience via the live broadcast.”
The schedule is as follows of Paddleboard Championship:
November 23 – Opening Ceremony, Riyue Bay
24 – Sprint Racing, Shenzhou Peninsula
25 – Distance Racing, Shenzhou Peninsula
26 – Lay day
27 – December 2 – SUP Surfing, Technical Races and Relay Race at Riyue Bay
December 2 – Closing Ceremony after competition
Photo: ISA / Ben Reed & Augustin Munoz
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