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
5 Oct 2026
Several destinations are bidding to host the next edition of the Paddle Worldwide SUP World Championships, with China’s Suzhou and Burlington, Vermont, among the leading candidates. The 2027 host could be announced during this month’s World Championships in Sabaudia, Italy. The International Canoe Federation (ICF) has adopted Paddle Worldwide (PW) as its new official name, […]
28 Sep 2026
Eri TenĂłrio has been making plenty of noise on the other side of the Atlantic this season. Fresh from a clean sweep at Lowcountry PaddleFest on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – taking the wins in Sprint, Technical Race and Long Distance – the Brazilian has been building an impressive run of results across the […]
23 Sep 2026
We’re slowly moving into the phase of the SUP season when brands will start rolling out their 2027 ranges. And when it comes to Infinity, anything carrying Dave Boehne’s signature is bound to generate interest and plenty of hype. We’ve been catching glimpses of the 2027 EVERREADY in some compelling Cali sunlit sessions and big […]
10 Sep 2026
With the second half of the racing season now in full swing, we’re keeping a close eye on the growing appetite among US athletes for the European SUP racing circuit. And with the ICF European calendar stacking up, there’s plenty to tempt them across the Atlantic, including: Agios Nikolaos on SUP (18-23 September) now part of the […]
9 Sep 2026
How about a slice of iconic Hood River? TotalSUP welcomes Christian Andersen – aka “Polar Bear” – back to The Polar Bear Chronicles. The two-time SUP World Champion, multiple-time European Champion, and NSP Team rider – gives us a glimpse into life between training, racing and the road. After two months at altitude in the […]
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 […]
