Abu Dhabi Set to Host a Spectacular 2025 ICF SUP World Championships

Meet Krisztián Bártfai, the dynamic force behind the 2025 ICF SUP Worlds set to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE. An Olympic sprint kayaking bronze medalist and multiple world champion, Krisztián has spent the past 14 years helping build a thriving paddling community in the Middle East. As the founder of PaddlersHub and a long-haul airline captain, he splits his time between flying and fueling his passion for paddlesports. In this exclusive interview, Kris shares the vision behind bringing the ICF SUP Worlds to the UAE for the first time, what makes Abu Dhabi a standout venue, and what athletes and fans can expect from this world-class event. From logistics and rentals to cultural tips and cold beers after the race, Kris gives us the full picture of what promises to be an unforgettable championship in October 2025.

Hi Krisztián! Let’s start by getting to know you a bit. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your background in sport and your major achievements?

Hey! I’m Krisztián, but most people just call me Kris. I’ve been around water my whole life—Olympic sprint kayaker, bronze medalist, multiple world championship titles, all that. These days, I’m more focused on running paddling services and trading companies in the Middle East, but the part I still love the most is coaching, organizing events, and helping more people experience the sport the way we did growing up. It’s been quite a ride—especially here in a region where paddling is still developing, so there’s loads of potential. Outside of paddling, I’m also a long-haul airline captain—so I’m either flying or paddling most days!

You seem to know the United Arab Emirates very well! How long have you been living there, and what are your main activities in the region?

Yeah, the UAE has really become our second home. We’ve been here for 14 years now with my family. I run two companies with my family and business partners called PaddlersHub. We’re all about non-motorized water sports—kayaking, SUP, surfski, dragon boat, outrigger… if it floats and paddles, we’re into it. We also advise other institutions across the GCC on operations and strategy. We coach, race, organize events, and focus on growing the whole paddling ecosystem here.

What motivated you and the organizing committee to submit a bid to host the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi?

The paddling community here is growing fast, and the locations are amazing with huge potential. Hosting a World Championship felt like the natural next step. The ICF has been around for over 100 years, and not one world event has happened in this region—that’s wild, especially with the amount of water and the thousands of locals, expats, and tourists paddling every day. It was time to change that and bring a world-class event here.

In your opinion, what makes Abu Dhabi an ideal location for a world championship of this scale?

Abu Dhabi has it all—calm flat water, great weather in late October when it starts to cool down, and a city full of family-friendly and adult activities. It’s a perfect mix of modern urban life and peaceful natural surroundings. Whether you’re racing or relaxing, it’s got something for everyone.

Can you walk us through the different spots selected for each discipline—sprint, technical, long distance? What kind of conditions can athletes expect?

Yeah! We’ve selected locations that are both stunning and race-ready. The sprint will be held in a deep, calm canal right in front of the Shangri-La Hotel beach, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the background—super cool vibe. The technical race is just off the beach on a course that’s crown-shaped, very visual and spectator-friendly. Long distance will pass by Abu Dhabi’s city center with great views of hotels and beaches. The venue itself is amazing—Shangri-La has four beaches, pools, kids’ areas, restaurants, nightclubs—perfect for athletes and families alike. Expect warm water, sunny skies, and absolutely no need for wetsuits!

Could you introduce us to the organizing team behind the event and the roles each member plays in bringing it all together?

We’ve got a really passionate and diverse team—former athletes, coaches, logistics experts, and creatives. Everyone has a role, but we all jump in wherever needed. It’s more like a paddling family than a formal committee. And we’re all volunteers doing it because we love it. At this point, the organizing committee has grown to about 10 different sections, each with their own team. The ICF is also fully involved. I won’t start listing names, but I’m sure TotalSUP will feature some of the key people very soon.

You can count on us! Let’s talk logistics. For individual athletes, national teams, or brand crews—what’s the process and timeline for shipping boards to the UAE?

We’re working with Prowave for board shipping from the EU and trying to find an affordable air cargo solution. But with the large dimensions, the volumetric weight makes air shipping quite expensive. We’re doing our best to improve that. Meanwhile, we’ve launched a webstore on sup2025.com where athletes can either rent or pre-order race boards from top brands—with amazing deals on the newest models. If I were an athlete, I’d take the chance to race on a brand-new board and then ship it home after with little to no extra tax (VAT 5% only). But act fast—these boards are made to order, and the clock is ticking. By the end of June, pre-purchase will most likely be phased out due to production and shipping constraints. So if you’re thinking about pre-purchase with the installment option and want a highly discounted new SUP, don’t wait—head to the sup2025.com webstore and book it now.

And for those who prefer to travel light, what rental options will be available on-site in terms of race gear?

We’ve got you! High-end race boards from Starboard, NSP, Lightboard, and others will be available—but not forever. Rentals are limited and must be booked early. The window is open for just about 14–21 more days for all models, and after that, availability will drop due to production and shipping timelines. By the end of June, rental options will be down to second-hand boards or pricier third-party services. So if you’re thinking about renting, don’t wait—head to sup2025.com and lock it in.

Some athletes and travelers might feel a bit unsure about cultural expectations in the UAE. Can you help demystify things like dress codes—both at the beach and away from it?

For sure. The UAE is actually a very relaxed and welcoming place—you’ll find more here than in most countries. At the beach and during the event, wear what you’d normally wear paddling. In public areas like malls or restaurants, just be respectful—cover your shoulders and knees, and you’re good. The UAE is one of the safest countries in the world—basically no crime, very clean, and super modern. I really encourage people to do a little research and check where the UAE is located—it’s far from any conflict zone, even though people sometimes confuse that. Once you arrive, you’ll be wowed.

And just to settle a question I’ve personally been asked a lot: if I want to enjoy a cold beer after eight hours of commentating live, is that going to be possible?

Haha—yes, 100%! Nothing different than in Australia, Singapore, or the US. Honestly, sometimes it even feels more chilled here. The UAE and Abu Dhabi have loads of licensed hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs—many of them near or inside the venue. You’ll be surprised at how much is available.

Finally, where can athletes, teams, and fans find all the official information in the run-up to the event—news, schedules, registration updates, logistics, etc.?

All the official info is at sup2025.com. We’re also posting on social media—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more. We’ve already released our first bulletin, and a second one is coming soon with more details. We’ll launch a WhatsApp group for real-time updates too. Just one small favor: if you DM us, give us a little time—we get a ton of messages, and a lot of answers are already in our posts or bulletins. Please check those first—we really appreciate your understanding and support!

So what are you waiting for? Register now!
www.sup2025.com