The Key West Paddle Classic – the longest-running paddleboarding and paddle sport event on the U.S. East Coast – returns for its 29th edition, continuing to prove the power and pull of a true waterman race, drawing athletes from across disciplines. Kicking off on 9 May, this 12-mile, multi-sport challenge remains one of the region’s […]

When you think of the King of the Bay (KOTB) festival, it brings to mind the vibe of Poland’s Open’er Festival – a grassroots idea that grew into a globally recognised music phenomenon. The founders of festival seem to share that same ambition: to build something local in origin, but world-class in reach. Held on […]

As the European SUP League (ESL) circuit heads to southern Italy, Lido Gandoli in Marina di Leporano will host three days of top-level stand-up paddle racing from 1-3 May. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Ionian Sea, the event will feature over €7,000 in prize money and bring together some of Europe’s best athletes. […]

The 2026 edition of Race to the Castle (R2TC) has wrapped, with the Kings & Queens of the river crowned after a demanding 40km journey from Nottingham to Newark. In the 14 ft board division, Starboard UK rider Paul “PJ” Simmons and Karis Parker—defending her title and representing the Frangipani SUP Team – set the […]

The upcoming 2026 ICF SUP Junior International Cup, taking place in Bascov, Romania, from 19 – 21 June, promises to be one of the most prominent showcases of young international SUP talent. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Budeasa Regatta Course – one of the best-equipped canoeing venues in Eastern Europe – the stage is set for […]

If there’s one SUP athlete to ask whether our sport has truly carved out its identity among other water and board sports, it’s Michael Booth – a name that carries both weight and integrity. A multiple World SUP Champion, elite waterman, Starboard Dream Team rider, coach, entrepreneur, and member of the ICF SUP Advisory Committee […]

In our last interview, what struck me most was something Rylee Walker, endurance paddler and Cystic Fibrosis advocate, said: “One of the biggest challenges I continue to face is the constant question: ‘Is what I’m doing enough?” It’s a question many of us grapple with – it can either unsettle us and make us fold […]

As the week heats up and the inaugural European SUP League (ESL) stop is about to kick off, we caught up with Maria Laura Metta – one of the founding members and advisors of SUP Academy Taranto, hosts of the European SUP League (ESL) Stop #2 in Taranto, Italy. A 23-year-old from Taranto, Maria Laura […]

As the SUP racing season draws to a close – or just before it begins – curiosity builds around the athletes followed so closely: where they go, how they train, and what fills the space between competitions. The Polar Bear Chronicles lifts the lid, offering a glimpse into that world beyond the start line. TotalSUP […]