Big names locked in for European SUP League Stop #3 at The Big Paddle Festival, Switzerland

The countdown is on to the biggest edition of The Big Paddle Festival yet, as the popular Swiss event prepares to make history as an official stop of the European SUP League (ESL). Organised by Florian Gander – Founder of SUPkultur Wassersport Center and Co-founder of the Swiss Stand-Up Paddle Association – the festival will take place from 19 – 21 in Richterswil on Lake Zurich.

Serving as ESL Stop #3 while also hosting the Swiss Paddle Cup and SupSuisse Tour, the event will bring together elite racers, recreational paddlers, and watersports enthusiasts for a packed weekend of competition and community.

With the race weekend fast approaching, a strong international field has already been confirmed. Among the headline names are current European SUP League ranking leaders Alba Frey (Spain), Sergio Cantoral (Spain), Filippo Mercuriali (Italy) and Donato Freens (The Netherlands), to name just a few, alongside local favourite Anna Tschirky, the Swiss Champion whose recent return to the racing scene adds an exciting homegrown storyline to the event.

Expanded into a two-day festival, the event will transform the Horn Areal into a vibrant watersports arena, cementing its place as one of Switzerland’s premier SUP gatherings for athletes, spectators, and families alike. Beyond the racing, the 2026 edition introduces a new 18.5 km challenge and a programme of clinics featuring some of the sport’s leading names, including Duna Gordillo and Aaron Sánchez.

Ahead of the event, we caught up with Alba, Sergio, Filippo, and Anna to chat about the upcoming race, their expectations for Richterswil, and what it means to line up at one of the most anticipated stops on the European SUP League calendar.

Hi everyone – welcome back to TotalSUP! What stands out to you about racing on Lake Zurich?

Anna Tschirky on Lake Zurich

Anna Tschirky, Switzerland:

Not only is the lake located right next to one of Switzerland’s largest and most famous cities Zurich, it‘s also the scenery that is really pretty. There are often motorboats, ferries or sailboats out on the water, so there’s always something going on.

The Swiss Championships have already been held there, and I’m excited to have an international race in my home country!

Sergio Cantoral, Spain, NSP Team Rider:

For me, it’s really exciting to have the opportunity to race in such an iconic venue. Events in cities like Zurich are great for the growth of our sport because they bring SUP closer to the public. People can experience first-hand the excitement and spectacle of a SUP race, and hopefully many of them will become curious and want to give it a try themselves. I think that’s something very valuable for the future of SUP.

Alba Frey, Spain, Starboard Team Rider:

For me, racing in Zurich has a special meaning. Not only will it be my first time visiting Switzerland, but my great-grandfather was Swiss, which is where my surname, Frey, comes from. Because of that family connection, I’m really looking forward to the event.

I’m also expecting it to be a fun and highly competitive race, held in a stunning setting. Lake Zurich looks like an incredible venue, and I’m excited to experience both the competition and the atmosphere.

Filippo Mercuriali, Italy, Kokua Rider:

What stands out to me most about racing on Lake Zurich is that it will be my first time competing there. I’ve raced in Switzerland before, but never on Lake Zurich.

Racing in new places always excites me and gives me extra motivation. I also love meeting new SUP communities and sharing the passion for our sport with people from different countries.

How does this race fit into your broader season strategy?

Anna Tschirky:

I’ve decided to spend most of the first part of summer at home down in the valley before escaping into the mountains later on. One reason also being the ESL race in Richterswil, that gives me the chance to have a major race practically right on my doorstep.

Sergio Cantoral:

This race comes at a perfect moment, as it’s one of the last opportunities to compete at an international level before the summer break. Every event is a chance to keep learning, gaining experience, and measuring myself against top athletes.

The ESL is also one of my main priorities this season. Having the opportunity to compete in an official league is very important for me, as the results are recognized and backed by a Federation, which helps athletes like me when applying for support and funding from public institutions.

Alba Frey:

This competition is all about enjoying myself 100%. I reached my peak in May, and since then I’ve kept paddling but without putting any pressure on myself, taking the opportunity to enjoy other sports before starting preparation for the second half of the season.

So I’m coming here relaxed, with no pressure and full of motivation, which is sometimes when the best performances happen.

Filippo Mercuriali:

At this stage of the season, I’m really happy to be racing. After spending the winter and early spring paddling with neoprene boots, I finally feel much more connected to my board. These races are a great opportunity to see where my fitness and performance are right now, and I’m excited to test myself against a strong international field.

What are your expectations coming into this event?

Anna Tschirky:

I hope to be able to draw on my experience and physical condition even though I haven’t trained as intensively, specifically or with as much focus as I used to. I’m excited to be racing against so many strong women and also looking forward to welcome friends and new faces in Switzerland, spending a summer-weekend with the SUP community. Oh, and it’s nice not having to travel that far for once:)

Sergio Cantoral:

My main goal is to learn, enjoy the experience, and make the most of the opportunity. Since some time has passed since the first stops of the league, it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect, but as always, I’ll give my best and aim to be up there competing with the front group. Most importantly, I want to have fun and continue improving with every rac

Alba Frey:

To be honest, I don’t have any expectations other than to go with the flow and enjoy the experience. I’m really looking forward to being back on the start line, enjoying the atmosphere of the stand-up paddle community again, sharing the event with all the riders, and competing against the best athletes in the sport.

Alba Frey winning the Tech Race at the ESL Stop #1 x World SUP Festival

Filippo Mercuriali:

My expectations for this event are twofold. First, I’m currently sitting third in the overall European SUP League rankings, so racing in Zurich and then in Poland is a great opportunity to defend my position and keep collecting valuable points throughout the season.

At the same time, I’m looking forward to racing against many of the top athletes I’ve already competed with this year. It’s a chance to see if the work I’ve put in over the past months is paying off and where I stand right now.

Find out more and register for the event here 

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European SUP Tour Calendar 2026:

• Switzerland – Zurich | June 19-21
• Poland – Rybnik | June 26-28
• Spain – Huelva | September 5-6
• Portugal – Sesimbra | September 11-13

*Images courtesy of the European SUP League (ESL), Alba Frey and Anna Tschirky