‘I’m not going there just to participate’: USA Tech Champ Campbell Carter returns to Europe for the ICF Worlds

With the second half of the racing season now in full swing, we’re keeping a close eye on the growing appetite among US athletes for the European SUP racing circuit. And with the ICF European calendar stacking up, there’s plenty to tempt them across the Atlantic, including: Agios Nikolaos on SUP (18-23 September) now part of the ICF SUP World Cup, the ICF World Championships (14-18 October) in Sabaudia, Italy, and the SUP Cup Kemer (28-31 October) an ICF World Ranking event, also on the horizon.

One athlete who has been increasingly hard to miss is Campbell Carter, whose training videos, sharp technique and impressive board control have been blowing up across our social media channels. We’ve been getting a front-row look at the work behind the racing – and it’s clear he’s putting in the miles.

An Infinity SUP Speed Freak and now a fully-fledged elite open-division pro racer, Campbell is a Team USA representative and bronze medallist in the Junior SUP Technical Race at the 2022 ISA World Championships.

The Wilmington, North Carolina, multi-discipline waterman has steadily progressed from promising junior to a serious force in the elite ranks. And 2026 has underlined that progression. Fresh off becoming USA Tech Champion, with an additional silver medal in the Long Distance, Campbell is carrying some serious momentum into the second half of the season.

We caught up with Campbell to find out what he’s been up to, what life is like rolling with the Infinity SUP crew and what he’s expecting as he takes on the world stage in Italy.

Hi Campbell, welcome back to TotalSUP! What have you been up to? You’re coming off a USA Tech Championship title and a silver in Long
Distance – how are you feeling about the season so far?

I’m feeling really good so far. It’s been a busy summer. I’ve mostly been on the water and working a lot, so I’ve been staying pretty active. I’m still really stoked about winning the USA Tech Championship this year. That was a huge moment for me, and definitely gave me a big boost of confidence. I think carrying that confidence into the next few months is going to be important as I get back into racing. I haven’t raced a whole lot this summer, but I’ve had plenty of time on the water, which has been great.

Now I’m two weeks out from my next race, and I’m starting to get really excited to get back out there, put the work to the test, and see where I stack up against everyone. I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident, and now it’s just about getting out there and competing.

Your technique drill videos have been exploding on our channel. From the outside, it looks like everything is pretty dialled in – what have you actually been focusing on behind the scenes?

Yeah, I’m stoked to see the videos getting more and more views. It’s always cool to see people connecting with what I’m doing. I’ve really been working on every part of my game. A big focus for me has been technique, especially making my paddle stroke as efficient and powerful as possible. At the same time, I’ve been building my fitness throughout the year and really testing how far I can push myself physically.

For me, this year has been about building. Putting the work in, learning, getting stronger, and seeing what I’m capable of. I’m taking it
one day at a time, focusing on the things I can improve, and then coming back the next day ready to push it a little further.

You’re a real all-round waterman, but is there one format you find yourself drawn to or pushing for more than the others – Sprint, Technical or Long Distance?

I’ve always been drawn to tech racing, especially when it’s in the ocean. There’s just something about it that gets me fired up. At any race, the tech events are the ones I find myself most drawn to. I love a good distance race, but tech racing brings a different kind of challenge. You’re dealing with the surf, the timing, the decisions, and the physical demand all at once.

You’ve got to pick your moment going out, fight your way through the waves, then execute again coming back in, all while pushing your body to the limit. It’s that combination that makes it so exciting for me. It’s not just about endurance, it’s about timing, composure, aggression, and execution. You’re constantly having to make decisions while under pressure, and that’s what I really love about it.

You’ve been riding for Infinity since 2024. What does that partnership look like behind the scenes – from testing and giving input on new gear to working with the team? And what’s the team vibe like?

Riding for Infinity has been absolutely amazing. I’ve loved being part of the team, not just on race day, but behind the scenes as well. Whenever I’m on the West Coast, I’m always testing prototypes and helping out wherever I can. It’s pretty cool to be involved in that process and actually see the amount of work, thought, and development that goes into creating new equipment.

And the team itself is something else. Dave Boehne is basically family at this point, so it’s always great getting to spend time with him, work together, and keep pushing things forward.

Everyone else on the team is pretty sick. I feel like we are one of the coolest teams out there in my opinion, it’s always nice to have everyone at a race because you know it’s going to be fun and its going to be competitive. The combination of being able to laugh and push each other is always nice.

What’s your current Infinity setup, and what do you look for in a race board? Both flat water and ocean…

The EVERREADY is my go to board for pretty much any condition. It’s honestly one of the most versatile boards I’ve ever ridden. I’ve used it in flat water, in the ocean, and going in and out through the waves, it just performs. That’s why it’s become my first choice. You know what you’re getting every time you jump on it, regardless of the conditions. It’s reliable, it’s versatile, and it just works.

Now if the surf gets big enough, I do like to bring out the Blackfish. When the waves are overhead and really starting to dump, there’s something about having that flat deck that just feels better. It gives you a different level of confidence when you’re dealing with bigger, more powerful surf.

Are you primarily focused on the US racing scene at the moment, or are we going to see more of you on the European and international circuit?

Yes, I was pretty focused on racing in the US this year, but I’m definitely looking to race more internationally next year. I love how all the events are ran over in Europe as well and I’ve been dying to get back over there. The US racing scene has been really good to me this
year, and I’m proud of how I’ve performed and the progress I’ve made throughout the season.

I haven’t raced a ton over the summer, but things are starting to pick back up now, and I’m really excited to get back out there and start racing again. Next races are Olukai Lowcountry Paddlefest and then USA SUP nationals. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season goes and hopefully carrying this momentum into next year.

You’ve confirmed you’re heading back to Europe for the ICF Worlds. What does that race mean to you this year and what’s the ambition for it?

The ICF Worlds is a big one for me this year. I’m really excited to get back to Europe and race against the best in the world. I’ve put a lot of work in this year, both physically and technically, and I feel like I’m in a really good place heading into it.

The ambition is simple: go there, race my race, and put myself in a position to do my best. I have a lot of respect for everyone lining up, but I’m not going there just to participate. I want to compete at the highest level, test myself against the best, and see what I can do when it all comes together on race day. I’m confident in the work I’ve put in, and I’m excited to see where that takes me.

And finally, what’s one thing you’re still chasing on a SUP?

Honestly, I’m still chasing that feeling of knowing I’ve reached my full potential on a SUP. There’s always another level to find, whether that’s getting faster, becoming more efficient, or pushing myself in conditions that challenge me. I want to keep testing the limits of what I can do on the board and see how far I can take it.

Obviously I’m chasing that World Champ title, but for me, it’s bigger than just one race or one title. I want to look back years from now and know I left nothing on the table. That’s what keeps me hungry and keeps me pushing.

Thank you so much for your time Campbell and we can’t wait to see you in Sabaudia, Italy!

To find out more about Infinity SUP, visit infinity-sup.com

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*Images courtesy of Campbell Carter