“A book full of surprises” – Bianca Toncelli prepares for European SUP League Finale at Sesimbra SUP Festival

The European SUP League (ESL) now enters its decisive final stretch, with the next stage taking place in Isla Cristina on 4-6 September, followed just one week later by the Grand Finale in Sesimbra, Portugal, on 11-13 September. Hosted by Surf Clube de Sesimbra as part of the Sesimbra SUP Festival, the final stage will bring the season to a close with the league titles on the line, while also putting the spotlight on a generation of young SUP athletes approaching the transition from the junior ranks to the Open division.

Among them is 17-year-old Bianca Toncelli, a Fuerteventura-based racer coached by Esperanza Barreras. Her journey in SUP began at the age of seven, training alongside Barreras at the Escuela Náutica de Corralejo. She entered her first competitions with the club at just nine, and with every race and shared experience, her passion for the sport continued to grow.

Toncelli has made a strong impression in 2026, marking herself out as one of the young athletes to watch as she prepares to make the step up to the Open division. At the 2026 World SUP Festival in Santa Pola, she made an early statement by winning the women’s Elite Sprint race in a dramatic final against Cecilia Pampinella, demonstrating that she has the speed and confidence to compete at the highest level beyond her age category. With 2026 marking her final season in the junior division, the ESL finale represents an important moment in that transition.

She now returns to Sesimbra, a venue where she already enjoyed success last year, claiming two bronze medals in the Technical Race and Long Distance. As she prepares for another ESL finale, Toncelli will be looking to build on that experience and close out her junior season on a high.

“I just want to give it my all and show the hard work behind this season,” says Bianca. We caught up with her to talk about her journey in SUP, her breakthrough 2026 season, the transition from juniors to Open, and what she is expecting from the final stage in Sesimbra.

Hi Bianca, welcome to TotalSUP! You opened the 2026 European SUP League season in style at the World SUP Festival in Santa Pola, winning the Elite Women’s Sprint. What did that victory mean to you?

To be honest, winning in Santa Pola completely blew me away – even today, it’s hard to believe I managed to take first place at such a prestigious event and I really don’t know how I did it! Winning was an incredible achievement, but the absolute best part was crossing the
finish line and seeing the faces of everyone who was cheering me on.

Seeing their sheer joy, receiving all those warm hugs, and feeling that unconditional support made the victory truly unforgettable. That support is what turned a great result into the real triumph for me.

What does racing the European SUP League mean to you as a young European athlete?

The European SUP League is doing something great for our sport by bringing together paddlers from different countries into one big, well-organized tour. For me, being able to race here is a huge opportunity. Getting to compete against some of the strongest paddlers in the
world – and learning so much from them in every race – is amazing, especially as a Junior.

What makes it so special is sharing the starting line and long distances with girls from all over the world and of all ages. Seeing both experienced athletes and a new generation of Juniors pushing hard inspires me every single day.

You’re heading back to Sesimbra for the final stop of the 2026 European SUP League. What comes to mind when you think about returning to the place where you had such a strong finish – 2 Bronze medals in Tech & LD!

Sesimbra is an amazing place, and I can’t wait to be back! Returning there really pushes me to challenge myself even more and try to do even better than last year.

It brings back great memories of the incredible people and the thrill of racing with my girls again on a windy course surrounded by spectacular views.

When you arrive at a venue, what are you looking for first – wind direction, current, bumps, turns, the start line?

Before racing, I actually love watching other paddlers training on the beach. It grounds me and lets me analyze the conditions from the outside to see how everyone is affected.

When I step onto the site, I focus on testing the start line, reading the seabed, checking the beach layout, and seeing how the wind hits the buoys. Knowing exactly what I’m facing brings me peace of mind, which I think is key to staying calm when it’s time to race.

Does having raced there before give you an advantage, or does Sesimbra still have enough variables to keep you guessing?

I think Sesimbra is like a book full of surprises. Knowing the beach layout gives me some peace of mind, but conditions can change in an instant.

Last year we had strong winds and challenging water, but this year could be completely different – from the surf to the wind
direction. Either way, I’m keeping my head high because we are ready for whatever comes our way!

What makes the conditions in Sesimbra challenging? Is it a place where you need to be ready to adapt during the race?

The conditions could definitely be tough, but as I said, anything can happen out on the water. That’s why you have to be ready to adapt to whatever gets thrown at you during the race.

Above all, the main goal is to go out there, adapt, and have a great time!

Photo by Mf.d3sign | SCS

The level of women’s SUP racing in Europe is getting deeper every season. Who are the athletes you look up to or learn from when you line up in an Elite field?

Honestly, every single competitor gives me something to learn from and helps me grow. Lining up alongside world-class paddlers like Espe (Esperanza Barreras), Alba (Alba Frey), and Duna (Duna Gordillo) and watching them put all their experience into action is amazing.

At the same time, I learn just as much from the younger paddlers breaking into the Elite field. Seeing this new generation push their limits and raise the bar together with the top athletes is super inspiring.

Photo by Mf.d3sign | SCS

Do you have any particular SUP goals for the end of the year that you can share with us?

Honestly, my main goal this year has simply been to enjoy the sport and every race. It’s been a tough year balancing my studies, training, and work, but that’s exactly why I feel so proud of everything I’ve managed to build and keep moving forward.

For the remaining races, I just want to give it my all and show the hard work behind this season. And looking ahead to the ICF Worlds in Sabaudia, my goal is to soak up every single bit of experience and learning in what will be my final year competing as a Junior!

And also to be able to represent Spain in the European championship and maybe the ISA World SUP Championships!

Thank you Bianca! We wish you a great event and the rest of the racing season!

Find out more and register here

European SUP Tour Calendar 2026:

• Spain – Huelva, Isla Cristina | September 5–6
• Portugal – Sesimbra | September 11–13

To find out more about European SUP League (ESL), visit europeansupleague.com

Follow ESL on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Follow Surf Clube de Sesimbra on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Follow Bianca Toncelli on Instagram

*Images courtesy of European SUP  League (ESL)