Touchdown in Abu Dhabi: Light Board Corp lands with a heavy-hitting team & gear at the ICF SUP Worlds

The Light Board Corp squad is already warming up in Abu Dhabi, setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable week of racing. Reported by Planet Canoe, over 460 paddlers from 54 nations have gathered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for the 2025 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships – a historic edition marking the first time the UAE has hosted the event.

Known for their camaraderie and team spirit, Light Board Corp arrives in serious numbers. Dubbed by the Light Board Corp Boss Gerd Weisner  as the “Army of Amateurs,” these Light Riders will bring everything they’ve got into a highly stacked field.

In what may be the largest single brand presence at the event, Light Board Corp showcases an impressive lineup across divisions – with a particularly strong representation in the 50+ category, perfectly aligning with the founders’ advocacy for inclusion and visibility in the master age groups.

From left: Peter Weidert and Gerd Weisner at the 2024 ICF Worlds

Gerd Weisner, said:

“The ICF World Championships are the highlight of the international SUP calendar, bringing together athletes from around 50 nations. Despite being an ‘open invitation’ event, the level of competition is incredibly high – and those who make it to the podium truly earn their place in the global spotlight.

In past Championships, we’ve already celebrated podium finishes and world titles across several divisions. Thailand marked our debut with the PARADOXA race boards, and many competitors were seeing our designs for the first time.

Peter Weidert’s two world titles in the Master 50+ category sparked a wave of curiosity. By the time Florida 2024 came around, our small team had grown, and for the first time, athletes from other continents raced on our boards.

Francisco Giusti, Argentine Master 40+ Champion, claimed the Vice World Title in a thrilling long-distance final, leading most of the race. Peter Weidert built on his Thailand success with an incredible three world titles across all disciplines, while Normen Weber once again showed that he’s always capable of surprises in the Open Class.

Looking ahead to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, we’re welcoming many new team riders and see strong potential for more titles and top-10 finishes. The team has grown tremendously over the past 12 months, with exceptional athletes in every category. Alongside our confirmed participants, several international paddlers – from Canada, China, and Slovenia – have chosen to compete on Light Board Corp PARADOXA models from our quiver. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone in Abu Dhabi, especially the new faces joining the Light Board family.”

Here’s who you’ll see on the start line representing Light Board Corp at the 2025 ICF World SUP Championships:

Open Men

• Normen Weber, Germany
• Vadim Korobov, Lithuania
• Gal Gros, Slovenia

Normen Weber | Photo by Uros Kekus Kleva

Normen Weber said:

“Working as a team is a huge advantage. We can swap boards depending on the conditions and constantly support each other with feedback and tips.

Right now, I’m training daily, focusing on both endurance and sprint work. Before the World Championships, we have the German Championships, where we’ve set up the 100m course and technical race following the World Championships format. In my opinion, it’s the best possible preparation.

I’ll be competing in the Men’s Open – 100m sprint, technical race, and long distance. In such a strong field, I’d be very happy with two top-10 finishes. I’m really looking forward to spending 10 days with my Light Board Corp team and soaking up the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi.”

Benyam Bossack | Photo by Andy Klotz

Junior Division

• Benyam Bossack, Germany
• Selwyn Pritchard, United Kingdom

Francisco Giusti

Master 40

• Francisco Giusti, Argentina
• Manuel Lauble, Germany
• Hermann Husslein, Thailand
• Szabolcs Fodor, Hungary
• Balázs Dóri, Hungary
• Edith Turcotte, Canada – Guest Team Rider

Balázs Dóri | Photo by Andy Klotz

Balázs Dóri said: “Over the years, I’ve had boards from several different manufacturers, always searching for the fastest board with the best stability. I’ve long known that Light Board Corp produces top-quality, high-performance boards. I was always interested in their products, but the previous race models were a bit too unstable for me.
That’s why I was so excited when I first read about the superpower board — the PARADOXA. I knew immediately I had to order one. During the World Championships in Thailand, I met Gerd Weisner and had the chance to try his board — it was love at first moment. That’s the feeling I’d been waiting for while searching for a new model.

Now I’m in my second season with the PARADOXA, and every time I ride it, there’s a smile on my face. It’s a fantastic pleasure to be part of the Light Board Corp team. I don’t just have one of their boards – I’m a team rider, part of the family. Whenever I have questions or face any challenges, Gerd and his team are always there to help and find the best solution. I’m truly happy and proud to be a member of this team.

Last year, I finished 10th in the long distance. This year, I’m aiming to get closer to the podium – even though I’m a year older now! I just hope the younger competitors aren’t in such great shape. The weather will definitely be a challenge, but I’ll give it my all. For now, the conditions in Hungary are similar to Abu Dhabi’s, but by the end of October, it will be completely different – so that’s another test in itself!” 

Master 50+

• Peter Weidert, Germany
• Guido Donzé, Switzerland
• Shi Deqiang, China
• Chris Stinger, Canada
• Bruno Turcotte, Canada
• Tomas Varnas, Lithuania
• Johan Skarskog, Sweden
• Jürgen Kress, Germany
• Gerd Weisner, Germany

To find out more about LIGHTBOARDCORP® designs, visit lightboardcorp.com  and check out our full interview with Gerd Weisner

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