Aaron Sánchez: From Port Adriano to World Champion, Without Losing His Team-First Mindset

The Starboard rider from Port Adriano, Mallorca, has been moving steadily up the international ranks since his 2021 junior world title, and  broke through at the highest senior level in 2025, winning the Open Men’s technical world title at the ICF Worlds in Abu Dhabi and taking silver in long distance. In a Spanish team that is currently one of the deepest in SUP racing, he now starts the new season as one of the paddlers to watch whenever the front group forms. His next test comes quickly: the World SUP Festival Costa Blanca, from April 24 to 26 in Santa Pola, Alicante, which opens the 2026 European SUP League.

You’ve moved from junior world-champion status into winning at the highest senior level. What do you feel changed most in you between being a talented young racer and becoming a true world-title threat?

It’s true what they say about time flying by: it feels like just yesterday we were paddling as juniors. The biggest changes for me have been the experience I’ve gained from competing in so many events, and also the way I now approach the season with more professionalism, both in training and recovery. At the same time, I always like to say that my enthusiasm and my desire to compete and paddle haven’t changed at all!

When you look back at your 2025 season, especially the technical world title in Abu Dhabi, what did that win confirm for you — and what did it still leave unresolved?

Last season was unforgettable, and I finished it feeling very happy with most of the races. Beyond the results, I felt I was able to show all the effort and hard work that goes into competing. We also had the chance to travel abroad and take on new challenges like the Molokabra. And of course there was the joy of ending the season at the ICF World Championships with those two great results. At the same time, I also like to learn from the races that don’t go well, when things don’t turn out the way I expect. So from the 2025 season, I want to take those lessons with me, make sure I don’t repeat the same mistakes, and use that as even more motivation to compete against the best and give it everything I’ve got.

How have you prepared for the 2026 race season differently — physically, mentally, and tactically?

The changes we make are usually based on the mistakes we’ve made. But overall, we don’t really deviate much from our training plan. In terms of the mental and tactical side, we’re just about to start the season, and that’s when those aspects really get tested. So the first competitions of the year will show us how those changes are working this season. Also, being able to train at Port Adriano, Mar Balear SUP, with everyone there, gives me an edge in these areas, because in the end I’m always out on the water training with a bunch of other riders.

Mallorca has clearly shaped you as an athlete. At Mar Balear SUP in Port Adriano, Manuel Simoncelli and Laura Quetglas have built one of the strongest development environments in European SUP since 2012, producing paddlers like Duna Gordillo and yourself. What has growing up and training there given you?

Mallorca is a stunning island where we get to enjoy all kinds of conditions and spectacular places. Looking specifically at Port Adriano, where we train, being surrounded by marine reserves, beaches, and an area where you can really enjoy the water makes training even more special. The conditions we have here also give you the chance to become a well-rounded athlete: in the morning the sea can be flat or only slightly choppy, and when the trade winds blow, it becomes a completely different kind of training. I’ve been paddling at this club my whole life, and I still enjoy doing the same routes we’ve been doing for years. I also feel very lucky to be part of Mar Balear, because Manuel, Laura, and everyone around the club have created something that feels more like a family than just a training group.

Spain now has huge depth in SUP racing. How does being part of that Spanish team environment influence you: does it push you, or sometimes make things harder?

It’s a really strong team, and we’ve known each other for several years now. I think that being able to compete at that level, both in national races and at national team training camps, ultimately benefits all of us. Even though they’re your rivals on the water, they push me to give everything I’ve got. At the same time, we shouldn’t focus only on the national team, because there is a very high level of skill and talent among Spanish riders in general.

Can you walk us through your current equipment setup for race season: board, paddle, and how you choose setups for different conditions and disciplines?

When it comes to boards, I’ve always been loyal to the Starboard All Star: right now the 20.5. It’s the board I use in all kinds of conditions because I feel it adapts well, performs great, and is really fast. As for paddles, I used Quickblade for many years, and I want to thank them for all their support during that time. But this year I’ve switched to Starboard paddles. Right now, I’d say I’m going with the Lima model because it feels very responsive and explosive. The size depends on the discipline: for example, I use the XL for sprints and the L for the other disciplines.

When you line up against paddlers like Shuri Araki, Donato Freens, Christian Andersen, Ethan Bry, Sergio Cantoral or the other open men top athletes, what do you think the best in the world are doing better than everyone else — and where do you believe your own edge is?

That’s one of the things I like most about this sport: by the time you get to the starting line, everyone at that level has already done the training. The real difference comes in how each rider reads the conditions, manages the pressure, and chooses the right strategy in the moment. That’s where you really see a rider’s true character, because they know their strengths and try to use them in the smartest way possible. I also think it’s the hours spent on the water that really shape you as a rider. I’ve grown up paddling in Port Adriano, so in conditions similar to the ones we have here, I feel especially strong.

What is one part of your preparation that fans never see but makes the biggest difference on race day?

For me, it’s not about having one secret or one special thing that nobody else does. It’s more about the daily work and the focus you bring to it. I like to spend a lot of hours on the water and really stay tuned in during those sessions. I try to identify the areas where I can improve, even if it’s only a small difference, whether that comes from extra gym work or, above all, from exercises to prevent injuries and build strength. Other than that, I think the most important thing is to enjoy what you do and paddle with a clear goal in mind, so you can give it your all.

What would a perfect 2026 season look like for you, beyond medals?

It’s really important for me, at the end of a season, to feel that I’ve raced the way I’ve trained. By that I mean enjoying myself, giving it my all, and performing at my best in every moment. If that’s the case, I’ll be pretty happy, and the results will then take a back seat. One thing I always enjoy every season is going to events I’ve never been to before, and if they’re historic sporting events or personal challenges, even better.

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*Photos by the courtesy of: Mar Balear SUP