From Sarasota to Abu Dhabi: Who will be racing for glory at the 2025 ICF SUP Worlds?

Four hundred and seven athletes are now registered for the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships, set to take place in Abu Dhabi from October 29 to November 2. The stage is set for a very competitive edition, bringing together returning world champions and rising stars. After last year’s thrilling showdown in Sarasota, Florida, USA, all eyes are now on the desert city’s turquoise waters, where heat, wind, and strategy will decide who claims the next set of world titles. Based on last year’s podiums — and what we’ve seen so far this season — we’ve compiled the ultimate open athletes’ form sheet: who’s back, who’s missing, and who’s ready to make history at the 2025 ICF SUP Worlds in Abu Dhabi. While this article focuses on the elite, the juniors, 40+ and 50+ categories are just as thrilling, with fierce competition and plenty of action to enjoy.

MEN’S LONG DISTANCE
Over the long haul, few (if any) can match Japan’s Shuri Araki, unbeaten this year. The reigning long-distance world champion from Japan returns to defend his title, combining tactical precision with explosive power. He’ll be chased by Flying Fish’s Eri Tenorio from Brazil, who took bronze in Sarasota and has been training relentlessly for this rematch.
Missing from the lineup, however, are France’s Noic Garioud and Ethan Bry, both former medalists whose absence will be deeply felt by the French supporters.

2024 Men’s Podium
1. Shuri Araki JAP
2. Noic Garioud FRA
3. Eri Tenorio BRA
4. Ethan Bry FRA

WOMEN’S LONG DISTANCE
In the women’s long-distance, three familiar names who were on last year’s podium return to the start line: the Infinity SPEED FREAKS duo Mariecarmen Rivera from Puerto Rico, Juliette Duhaime from Argentina, and Japan’s SIC Global Team athlete Rika Okuaki. But the big storyline is the absence of Esperanza Barreras, the reigning champion. Without her, the door is open for a new queen of endurance to rise — and the rivalry between Rivera, Duhaime, and Okuaki could define this year’s race.

2024 Women’s Podium
1. Espe Barreras ESP
2. Mariecarmen Rivera PUR
3. Juliette Duhaime ARG
4. Rika Okuaki JAP

MEN’S TECHNICAL RACE
In Sarasota, Japan’s Shuri Araki came within inches of gold in an epic final. The young phenom is back, stronger than ever, and hungry for redemption in this discipline where he is still to win gold under the ICF. Spain’s Manuel Hoyuela — one of the most versatile paddlers on the circuit — also returns after a fantastic year, ready to prove he does indeed belong among the very best. But not everyone from last year’s podium will make it. France’s brothers Noic and Vaic Garioud, both technical powerhouses, will be absent in Abu Dhabi. Their absence leaves the men’s technical race wide open for new names — and possibly, new nations — to reach the podium.

2024 Men’s Podium
1. Noic Garioud FRA
2. Shuri Araki JAP
3. Manuel Hoyuela ESP
4. Vaic Garioud FRA

WOMEN’S TECHNICAL RACE
In Sarasota last year, two of the favorites — Mariecarmen Rivera and Seychelle — missed their big moment in the final: Mariecarmen was pushed at a buoy while leading, and Seychelle was disqualified, leaving the podium wide open.

For 2025, three of Sarasota’s top four return: NSP rider Duna Gordillo and Starboard’s Alba Alonso — both representing Spain — are joined by Japan’s Rika Okuaki. Esperanza Barreras will not defend her silver medal, a major shift that changes the race dynamics. With last year’s mishaps in mind, everybody will look to capitalize on any opportunity in what promises to be another unpredictable final.

2024 Women’s Podium
1. Duna Gordillo ESP
2. Esperanza Barreras ESP
3. Rika Okuaki JAP
4. Alba Alonso ESP

MEN’S SPRINTS
If there’s one discipline where the level of competition borders on the insane, it’s the sprints.
All four Sarasota podium finishers are returning: Bulgaria’s Andrey Kraytor, Spain’s Manuel Hoyuela, South Africa’s Cameron Tripney, and Japan’s Rai Taguchi.
It’s a dream lineup — the exact same four athletes who lit up Florida last year — now meeting again on the turquoise waters of Abu Dhabi among many other hungry-for-victory contenders. Expect chaos. Expect speed. Expect fireworks.

2024 Men’s Podium
1. Andrey Kraytor BUL
2. Manuel Hoyuela ESP
3. Cameron Tripney RSA
4. Rai Taguchi JAP

WOMEN’S SPRINTS
The women’s sprint field mirrors that same intensity. Once again, all four podium finishers return: Katniss Paris and Seychelle from the United States, Spain’s Alba Alonso, and Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera. Four of the fastest women in the world — reunited for a rematch one year in the making. Notably, Seychelle has just announced that she is three months pregnant, adding a remarkable personal storyline to an already thrilling competition.

2024 Women’s Podium
1. Katniss Paris USA
2. Seychelle USA
3. Alba Alonso ESP
4. Mariecarmen Rivera PUR

MEN’S FIELD: THE OTHER BIG NAMES TO WATCH
Indonesia’s Arip Purnama — the 2023 Junior Sprint World Champion — now races among the elites under the guidance of sprint legend  and title holder Andrey Kraytor.

Europe’s number one, Donato Freens from the Netherlands, also joins the lineup, bringing consistency and power after dominating the European events.

Donato Freens has had an amazing season so far

And then there’s Spain — with Aaron Sanchez, Antonio Morillo, Fernando Pérez Serra, and Sergio Cantoral joining Manuel Hoyuela. Five elite racers, all capable of podium finishes, making Spain one of the deepest national teams on the planet.

Keep also an eye on some potential surprises from Greece with Phaedon Doukas and Tasos Tsouris who could shake things up with their aggressive explosive style for one and endurance ability in variable conditions for the other.

Another huge name to watch, though easy to miss in the registration list, is Brazilian SUP racer Guilherme Dos Reis, who is registered under the name Guilherme Batista de Souza — the same powerful paddler who was on the podium of the Pacific Paddle Games in 2018 and has been steadily making a return to top-level SUP racing since last year.

Sergio Cantoral, 2 x Junior world champion now in his 2nd year in the elite division

WOMEN’S FIELD: EXPERIENCE AND NEW ENERGY
On the women’s side, France’s Mélanie Lafenêtre, the 2022 Technical Race World Champion and two-time podium finisher in 2023, returns, though with a question mark on her current form. From Mallorca, Aida Nepola and Sonia Caimari, who have been patiently waiting for their moment, join their teammate Duna Gordillo, forming what’s shaping up to be a formidable Balearic trio. Adding further depth and experience to the field are Natalia Noviskaia, silver medalist in 2021 and 2024 European Champion; Erica Revil from France; Rea Logotheti, the 2023 Junior Sprint World Champion; and Germany’s Skadi Langbein, racing on a SUNOVA board.

Rea Logotheti the 2023 Junior World Champion

RISING STARS: JUNIORS NOW OPEN
But Abu Dhabi isn’t just about returning champions — it’s also about the next generation stepping into the spotlight.
From last year’s male junior podiums in Sarasota, six young men are now moving up to the Open division, ready to test themselves against the world’s elite.

– Nariakira Shimazu — 2024 Junior Technical Race World Champion and Long Distance Silver Medalist, a composed and technically gifted racer already tipped as Japan’s next star.
– Kotaro Miyahira — Junior Long Distance World Champion, known for his endurance, smart race strategy, and calm control under pressure.
– Simon Ackermann — Junior Technical Race Bronze Medalist, France’s top junior from last year, stepping confidently into the Open field.
– Nikolaos Malekakis — 4th in Junior Technical Race and Silver Medalist in Junior Sprints, a powerful and determined Greek paddler who’s been steadily rising through the European ranks.
– Lluis Perotti — 4th in Junior Long Distance, part of Spain’s deep and fast-moving new generation of racers.
– Unax Etxeberria — Bronze Medalist in Junior Sprints, a fierce competitor with explosive starts and fearless racing energy.
These six athletes — all podium finishers or finalists in Sarasota — now line up shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world.
They represent the new wave of SUP racing talent, bringing fresh energy, precision, and ambition to Abu Dhabi.

On the women’s side, all of last year’s junior podium makers remain in the junior category, with the notable exception of Cecilia Pampinella, who will be one of the big names missing this year.

Kotaro Miyahira on the SIC Maui RST

THE STAGE IS SET – LIVE FROM ABU DHABI
TotalSUP will be on the ground in Abu Dhabi to cover every moment of the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships. Founder Mathieu Astier, alongside his co-commentator Rob Cynowa, will serve as the voices of the event + live broadcast, guiding viewers through the action, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories. The livestream will be available for the final three days of the competition only, on the ICF / Planet Canoe Youtube Channel giving fans around the world a front-row seat to the sprints, long-distance races, and technical showdowns as the world’s best SUP athletes battle for glory. With expert commentary and in-depth analysis, TotalSUP ensures that whether you’re following from home or on the water, you won’t miss a single stroke of the action!

CONNECT WITH TOTALSUP: FOLLOW, TAG, AND SHARE THE ICF SUP WORLDS
Whether you’re competing on the water, supporting an athlete, or watching from home, there are plenty of ways to interact with the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships coverage.
Follow TotalSUP on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with live updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes content. If you’re in Abu Dhabi — or tuning in from anywhere in the world — tag @TotalSUP on your stories to show where you’re following the action from. You can also collaborate with TotalSUP on your posts and reels, sharing your own perspectives, highlights, and experiences from the event. Every share, tag, and story helps bring the excitement of Abu Dhabi to the global SUP community.

OFFICIAL LINKS
Event website
Event Facebook page
Event Instagram
Youtube live broadcast