Situated in the renowned Orange County region of Southern California (SoCal), San Clemente is something of a best kept secret among the Californian surfing population. Located just south along the coastline from the often thronged and universally famous Laguna Beach, as well as rival surf spot Dana Point, San Clemente has the merit of being a little bit more of a low-key and less developed coastal conurbation. It doesn’t boast the buzzing nightlife of its coastal pairs, and though it lays claim to a decently sized local population, it is very much a more residential area than some of its livelier fellow seaside destinations.
That doesn’t make it any less rich in waves and challenging swells however. Quite the contrary. Indeed, San Clemente’s geographic positioning means that it is privy to both impressive northwesterly swells in the winter months and summertime southerly ones. These consistent year-round conditions, and the fact that the coastline is dotted with ideal surf spots such as San Onofre (aka “Sano”), San Clemente Pier, Riviera Beach, Threstles or Cotton’s Point, to name but a few, mean that surfers flock here in great numbers when the surf is up, and in recent times, SUP riders have begun to gravitate en masse to San Clemente as well. Indeed, the SUP culture here is thriving, with multiple manufacturers and purveyors of SUP boards and accessories taking up residence in the town. San Clemente is also a hive of activity for SUP meetups and local (along with not-so-local) enthusiasts. Hobie SUP, Brawner Boards and Brusurf are just a couple of local names that specialize in board sport accessories of all kinds, while other establishments, such as Riviera Paddle Surf and the aptly named Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals Company, more specifically focus on appealing to SUP riders in particular (though they cater to all tastes to some degree as well).
San Clemente is now teeming with SUP industry names and youth paddlers, and SUP superstar Candice Appleby even originates from the area. Having won countless national and international titles, and beyond her impressive surfing credentials, Appleby is undoubtedly one of the foremost female SUP racers of her generation. And though SUP brand par excellence Infinity SUP is headquartered in nearby Dana Point, master craftsman Steve Boehne, along with his two sons, Daniel and Dave Boehne (themselves shapers and designers), actually reside in San Clemente too.
The town is also home to numerous SUP events, which take place there throughout the year. Perhaps the most noteworthy of these is the San Clemente Ocean Festival, which emcompasses all manner of beach-based activities, from sand sculpting and concerts to art exhibits and kids’ fishing derbies. The jewel in the crown regarding the athletic component of the festival however remains the SUP Surf Championships, which are open to all. Â
13 Mar 2026
Our sport needs people who make you want to show up – voices grounded in a deep understanding of the ocean, the disciplines of SUP and surf, and the delicate balance between its limitations and possibilities. In an era often dominated by noise and influencer culture, what truly stands out is authenticity: the raw perspective […]
28 Feb 2026
This could be a breakthrough year for Jacques Thomas. Stepping up from the kids division into juniors and recently named a GBSUP Junior Ambassador, the 14-year-old from the Channel Islands is entering a new chapter. He’s built a reputation for doing the hardest thing in sport: consistently showing up. In all conditions, on every start […]
25 Feb 2026
Miami is one of the most dynamic stand-up paddleboarding destinations in the United States, offering an unbeatable mix of tropical scenery, urban skyline views and year-round warm water. Biscayne Bay sits at the heart of the scene, with calm, protected waters that are perfect for beginners and ideal for sunrise and sunset paddles framed by […]
23 Feb 2026
From her historic stand-up paddle crossing between Cuba and Key West to countless miles logged along Florida’s wild coastline, Victoria Burgess has built a reputation as a multicraft waterwoman on grit, endurance, and heart. But beyond the big crossings and bluewater challenges, her passion runs just as deep for her home waters. Now she’s inviting […]
16 Feb 2026
Infinity SUP returns to Santa Cruz Paddlefest 2026 (27-29 March) as the official SUP surfing division sponsor, continuing their tradition of showing up strong both at the start line and in the break. The longest-running paddle surf competition on the planet, Santa Cruz Paddlefest has been setting the standard since 1985. Its iconic venue, Steamer […]
13 Feb 2026
Mariecarmen Rivera burst onto the scene with incredible power and hasn’t let go since. Her focus and explosiveness demand attention every time she steps on the start line. A triple gold performance (Sprint, Technical, and Distance) at the ICF World SUP Championships stunned the community, backed up immediately at the ISA World SUP Championships with Sprint […]
22 Dec 2025
There are SUP conversations that stick with you – those that intuitively reveal the direction the sport is headed. Catching up with Susanne Lier, 4x World SUP Champion, elite athlete, Coach, and SUNOVA Team Rider, has always offered nothing short of philosophical depth and insider insight into our sport – and the timing couldn’t be […]
4 Dec 2025
Welcome to the livestream marathon of Last Paddler Standing 2025 – the most unpredictable, sleep-deprived, edge-of-your-seat SUP race on the planet. Starting December 6 at 9 am at Lake June in Winter, Florida, athletes will paddle a 3.33-mile loop every hour on the hour… and keep going until there’s only one paddler left. No finish […]
22 Aug 2025
Guilherme Dos Reis, 27, from Caraguatatuba, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil, has carved a name for himself in the country’s watersports scene. He became Brazil’s youngest National Champion at just 17 and has since claimed the title five times. Coming from a windsurfing background, he discovered stand-up paddleboarding in 2012 and our sport quickly captured his passion […]
