World’s Top SUP and Prone Athletes Converge for the 2018 ISA’s in China

In the next few days the world’s top SUP surfers, SUP racers, and prone paddleboarders will be preparing to compete in the 2018 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC). The 2018 ISA’s will take place from the 23rd November to the 2nd December in Wanning, China, marking the first time the event has been held in Asia in its seven-year history. The opening ceremony will take place on Thursday 22nd November, with elite athletes from all four corners of the world heading over to compete in the long distance, technical and SUP surfing events.

Photo Credit:  Sean Evans

Riyue Bay will host the open ceremony and then will head straight into the SUP surfing event (change in the schedule), due to take place over the weekend, with the finals being on the 26th November. Riyue Bay will also host the technical race before the competition heads over to Shenzhou Pennisula on the 29th November. This will be the location for the sprint racing on the 30th November, long distance race on the 1st December, and team relay, before the event closes on the the 2nd December. A fully charged 10 days of SUP racing, surfing and prone boarding!

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

196 athletes from 27 nations will represent their country including Team Mexico, Team South Africa, Team UK, Team Ireland. They will all challenge to stake their claims for the individual Gold Medals and coveted World Team Champion Trophy. The 2018 edition also includes the first Junior U-18 Gold Medals in the SUP Technical Races, showcasing the future talent of SUP on a global stage. Elite athletes  present include past ISA Gold Medalists Michael Booth (AUS), Shakira Westdorp (AUS), Luiz Diniz (BRA), Casper Steinfath (DEN), Titouan Puyo (FRA), Bruno Hasulyo (HUN), Candice Appleby (USA), and Connor Baxter (USA).

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

ISA HQ commented that “Team Australia has dominated 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. However this year will see Team France heading over with a strong force setting the scene for some good competition”.

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

The first edition of the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship was held in 2012 in Peru with succeeding editions of the event  held in Peru (2013), Nicaragua (2014), Mexico (2015), Fiji (2016), and Denmark (2017).

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

The ISA commented that “with past ISA World SUP Championships being held in the Americas, Europe and Oceania, 2018 will mark an important milestone as the first edition to be held in Asia, while Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong’s first participation in the WSUPPC highlights the growth of the sport across the Asian continent. 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”.

Photo Credit: Sean Evans

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said “The ISA is excited to bring the WSUPPC to Asia for the first time. We have been 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. The elite of the sport are headed to Wanning, setting the stage for an epic showdown of world-class talent for the competition. 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 2018 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship will be streamed live on totalsup throughout the competition.