Mark your calendars for June 7-8, 2025, as the Gran Canaria PRO returns for its fifth edition and this year, it’s making waves like never before. Now officially part of both the Liga PRO SUP and the Liga Federación, the event promises two action-packed days of racing on one of the most iconic courses in the Canary Islands.
Direct flight from Madrid or Barcelona bring you and your material directly to Gran Canarias’s airport.
Don´t miss the livestream on YouTube channel, Gran Canaria PRO and enjoy the action.
Behind this evolution is Eduardo “Edu” Díaz, coach, organizer, and lifelong advocate for the sport of stand-up paddle. Since launching the event in 2015, Edu has worked tirelessly to elevate its standard and visibility, and 2025 marks a turning point: high-level competition, youth development, and international participation all converge at this milestone edition.
We spoke with Edu to hear more about the upcoming event from what makes the Gran Canaria course so unique to what’s new this year, and why this edition is a game-changer for SUP in Spain.
Hi Yes, that’s right. After years of considering the possibility of organizing a two-day event, this year the Gran Canaria PRO will finally feature two full days of competition.
Saturday will be dedicated to the Long Distance Race, which is part of both the Liga PRO and the Liga Federación.
Sunday will focus entirely on Sprint races, covering all categories.
It’s important to highlight that the Gran Canaria PRO will continue to be an open and international event, once again welcoming athletes from all over the world, just like in every past edition.
The location of the Gran Canaria PRO is the best on the island, southwest of Gran Canaria, is a spot that is well protected from the northeastern trade winds.
At this time of year, conditions are generally comfortable and accessible for all levels, making it a favorable environment for both elite and amateur paddlers.
One of the biggest highlights of this fifth edition is definitely the introduction of two full days of racing.
Another major addition is that the Saturday races will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel, Gran Canaria PRO.
And finally, for athletes competing in the Liga PRO, the €4,000 prize money for the Long Distance race adds a competitive edge and sets this year apart from previous editions.
The Spanish Surfing Federation has made a strong commitment to our sport, starting 2025 with major updates—, ncluding new competition formats across all categories.
The inclusion of Liga PRO and Liga Federación replaces the older “Copa” structure and encourages athletes to move up in category each season, boosting their motivation and commitment.
Just like in professional surfing with the WCT and WQS, our sport will now have two parallel circuits.
The Liga PRO will be reserved for the Top 15 athletes from the previous year’s ranking in this case, 2024.
There are no age categories in Liga PRO, meaning U18 athletes can compete directly against the elites.
Only those in the Top 15 will be eligible for prize money.
For 2025, the Liga PRO will include 5 events, and only the top 3 results will count toward the final ranking.
Among these events is the Gran Canaria PRO, which offers 1,000 points.
Meanwhile, the Liga Federación will be open to a wider range of categories: U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, amateurs, masters, elites, and kahunas.
Competitors in this league can climb the rankings over the season, and the top 3 to 5 athletes at the end of the year will be promoted to the Liga PRO for the next season.
In my opinion, these new formats will help keep young athletes more motivated than ever.
However, I believe we should reward the younger categories with more than just trophies.
Brands in the industry could get more involved by offering equipment and gear as prizes, which would be a big incentive for up-and-coming athletes.
Many young paddlers don’t progress or even stop practicing due to lack of proper equipment, and this is something we should address to support their long-term development.
25 Mar 2025
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15 Nov 2024
The Gran Canaria Pro is back! Taking place in the stunning southwest of Gran Canaria on 7th of December, this open international SUP event welcomes paddlers of all levels to race in one of the best SUP destinations in the world. With warm December temperatures averaging 26°C and courses tailored for both experienced competitors and […]
