‘Unity is the way forward’ – Lido Gandoli, Taranto hosts European SUP League Stop #2: Interview with Mario Tagarelli

Putting the spotlight on the next generation of SUP talent, Mario Tagarelli has transformed junior racing and athlete development in Italy. As Coach and President of SUP Academy Taranto, based at Lido Gandoli in Taranto, southern Italy, he is the mastermind behind a training programme that cultivates young paddlers and elevates clubs dedicated to developing future champions. The first major international breakthrough came in 2023, when Claudia Postiglione won Double Gold at the World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, showcasing the success of his approach on the global stage.

Under Tagarelli’s guidance, SUP Academy Taranto has risen to prominence in Italian SUP, producing top-level competitors who excel nationally and internationally. His coaching work earned him recognition in the SUP community, including a spot among the top coaches, highlighting his influence in shaping competitive paddlers and supporting young talent. The academy emphasizes technical development, inclusivity, social engagement, and passion for paddleboarding, offering programmes that support both beginner learners and ambitious racers.

With the full European SUP League (ESL) circuit calendar now announced, we caught up with Mario for an inside look at the Lido Gandoli location and his training philosophy ahead of Stop #2 in Taranto (1 week after stop #1 in Santa Pola, Spain), where from 1 to 3 May, Lido Gandoli in Marina di Leporano will host three days of top-level stand-up paddle racing set against the stunning backdrop of the Ionian Sea, with over €7,000 in prize money.

Mario and his Team at the 2025 ICF World SUP Championships in Abu Dhabi

Hi Mario, welcome to TotalSUP! Could you tell us about your personal story – how you discovered stand-up paddling and what led you to found SUP Academy Taranto in Taranto?

Hello TotalSUP, and thank you for the opportunity to introduce our club. I was born in Taranto, the “city of the two seas,” and my whole life has been closely connected to the sea and to water sports. From sailing to kayaking, and later kitesurfing and SUP, I have always loved spending time at the beach and in the water with friends.

In 2014, I helped found Kitesurf Taranto, and from that beautiful experience, SUP Academy Taranto was born in 2021. The idea was simple: to create a place where everyone could truly get closer to water sports, especially stand-up paddling.

First of all, congratulations on the incredible results your team has achieved over the past three years, including multiple world titles. What has been your role as a coach in building this success, and what is your coaching philosophy when working with young athletes?

Thank you! I am very proud of what our athletes have achieved over the last few years. These results come from daily dedication, constant study, and a strong focus on every part of an athlete’s development: training, nutrition, lifestyle, and education. My philosophy is simple: consistency, commitment, and respect for the process.

I also believe that no athlete should be left behind. If a young athlete shows willingness and determination, they deserve time, care, and full commitment from their coach.

Your club has become one of the strongest Junior programmes in Europe. Can you list the main ICF and ISA titles and podium finishes your athletes have achieved in recent years?

The first major international result came in 2023, when Claudia Postiglione won Double Gold at the World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand. After that, podium finishes by Claudia and Sveva Sabato were repeated at the European Championships in Szeged, Hungary, and at the 2024 World Championships in Sarasota, USA.

Last year, we reached the podium in every discipline in Abu Dhabi with Claudia, Sveva, and Velia Pisanelli. At the same time, young athletes such as Serse Sabato and Matteo Pernisco are also emerging strongly and improving their positions in the world rankings year after year. I am very grateful to the ICF for giving so much space and visibility to junior racing. At the same time, I am also very attracted by the ISA format in the waves, which I find truly spectacular.

Can you tell us the story behind the Lido Gandoli Race? How did it start, and how has it grown into one of the key events on the Italian calendar?

The Lido Gandoli SUP Race began in 2016 as a small end-of-summer event, created simply for fun. I still remember that people were racing on all-round boards. Over the years, we transformed that informal and friendly gathering into an event on the national federation circuit, with good participation and very positive feedback.

Thanks to the support of the Lido Gandoli ownership, we have continued to grow the event to the point where we can now think of it as an international-level race. The real engine behind this growth has always been the desire to welcome fellow paddlers to our home spot and to share our place with friends from the SUP community.

This year, the race is part of the European SUP League as Stop #2. Why did you decide to join the league, and what do you expect it to bring to your event and your athletes?

Joining the European SUP League was a natural choice for us. My relationship with Daniel Parres (ed: one of the co-founders of the ESL), and the respect I have for him both as an athlete and as a person, certainly played a role. I see the ESL as an important step for the growth of SUP in Europe.

If we want a stronger future for our sport, we need more cooperation, more shared vision, and more opportunities for athletes to compete at a high level. I believe the league can help create exactly that.

One of the most exciting aspects of the European SUP League is that several events are organised by clubs with strong youth programmes and highly active coaches. How important is this network for the future of SUP racing in Europe, and how do you collaborate or share ideas with other coaches?

As I said before, unity is essential if we want to grow the sport and multiply opportunities for both clubs and athletes. For years, we have lived in a divisive climate that is often unnecessary and sometimes even offensive. I believe we should instead appreciate the many sides of our sport and teach our athletes that SUP is extraordinary precisely because it works on lakes, rivers, the sea, and ocean waves.

Every environment brings its own unique challenges and qualities. Personally, I never stop learning from traveling to different places, paddling in different conditions, and meeting other coaches and athletes along the way. It is a wonderful journey of both human and sporting exchange.

The event is not only part of the ESL but also included in the FICK (Federazione Italiana Canoa Kayak / Italian Canoe Kayak Federation)  and FISSW (Federazione Italiana Surfing Sci Nautico e Wakeboard / Italian Surfing Federation) circuits. Can you walk us through the race formats, courses, and categories for the weekend?

The Lido Gandoli SUP Race is itself the result of this journey of learning and sharing. We will begin on Friday with the ESL–FICK Technical Race, with a course of approximately 500 to 1,000 meters and a format similar to what we see at the ICF World Championships. Saturday will be dedicated to the ESL – FISSW – FICK Long Distance races, for both hard boards and inflatables, with distances ranging from 10 km for the main categories, 6km for under 14 category and down to 3 km for the youngest paddlers.

There can be different interpretations of what a long-distance race should be, but for our event we believe that 10km, especially the day after technical races with heats, is the most balanced and respectful choice for the athletes. On Sunday, we will close the weekend with the sprints in an ISA-style format, with beach start and beach finish, and the buoys set at 100 meters. The event will count for the ESL ranking, for the FISSW Italian category Championship, and for the FICK Italian Cup, which is relevant for selection toward ECA and ICF international events.

And finally, for international paddlers, what is the best way to get to Taranto? And do you have any recommendations on things to see and do when not paddling?

Lido Gandoli is a beach venue set in a beautiful bay. It is located about 110 km from Bari Airport and around 90 km from Brindisi Airport. We have arranged a partnership to offer a shuttle service at a reduced price, including for athletes traveling with their own boards. Our club is also working to provide overland board transport at a discounted rate from Italy to Santa Pola for Daniel Parres’ race, and then from Santa Pola to Lido Gandoli, in order to make logistics easier for international paddlers racing on both weekends.

Everyone in our sport knows that logistics can be complicated, so we are doing our best to help paddlers in the most practical way possible. Lido Gandoli is surrounded by campsites, B&Bs, and several hotels within just a few kilometers. The full list of accommodation options will be published from April 1st on the official information and registration link. So, stay tuned and keep in touch with us.

Amazing! We can’t wait to experience this ESL stop firsthand on your home turf.

Registrations will open on 2 April

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

Follow ESL on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Follow SUP Academy Taranto and Mario Tagarelli on Instagram.

European SUP Tour Calendar 2026:

• Spain – Santa Pola | April 24–26
• Italy – Taranto | May 1–3
• Switzerland – Zurich | June 19–21
• Poland – Racibórz | June 26–28
• Spain – Huelva | September 5–6
• Portugal – Sesimbra | September 11–13

*Images courtesy of SUP Academy Taranto