ICF SUP Worlds 2024: Bringing Global SUP Fever Back to the USA

With just 6 weeks to go until the ICF SUP World Championships in Sarasota, excitement is building for what promises to be an unforgettable event. Hoichan Kwon, head of SUP at the ICF, shares his vision for the event with TotalSUP and its significance to the SUP scene in the USA. As some of the sport’s roots trace back to the USA, Hoichan is determined to reignite the same passion that fueled legendary races in the last decade. Sarasota’s closed-loop course should elevate the competition, offering a fresh and engaging experience for paddlers at all levels. With a dedicated organizing team and a growing media presence, the ICF SUP Worlds are set to take the sport to new heights. Get ready for a world-class showcase in November!

Hello Hoichan, we are 9 weeks away from the ICF SUP Worlds! Could you tell us a bit more about what Sarasota is trying to achieve with this event and how it ties into the history of SUP in the USA?

Hello Mathieu! I’m really excited about what Sarasota is aiming to accomplish. By hosting the ICF SUP World Championships in the USA, we’re going back to where the sport really took off, with events that were legendary in the last decade like the Battle of the Paddle (BOP), the Pacific Paddle Games, the Carolina Cup and many more. Since then, we’ve seen many incredible local and regional SUP events, but nothing truly international. Many of the big races in the US have been losing traction from international paddlers, as competitive SUP is becoming, in part, more Eurocentric. However, there’s still tremendous talent in the USA, as we’ve seen in the national selections. I hope that by bringing our Worlds to the USA, we can reignite that SUP craze we saw a decade ago. There are still many active paddling clubs across the country, and I really hope they all join us for the festivities. We have such a passionate community, and I encourage everyone to show up, represent your club, country, and home.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE ICF SUP WORLDS:
www.paddleguru.com

That’s a great vision for revitalizing the American SUP scene! Could you share more about the new elements planned for recreational racers in this year’s event?

This year, we’re really focused on making the event fun and engaging, especially for recreational racers. We’re introducing elements that cater to paddlers of all levels, whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just passionate about the sport. It’s about creating a space where everyone can have a good time on the water, regardless of their competitive ambitions. If you have a love for paddling, this event is for you.

Streaming production is key to showcasing the action, especially for long-distance races. How are you enhancing the coverage for Sarasota to make it even better this year?

Yes, last year in Pattaya, we tried to elevate the streaming production, and while we did a good job overall, we struggled with covering the long-distance races. It’s always tough when the race moves far from the beach. But being in a closed loop in Sarasota will finally allow us to overcome those challenges. We can take more risks with drone shots without worrying about drones swimming! The production team in Sarasota is very experienced, and they’re eager to try some cool new things. We’re excited to give every racer the chance to be on camera and wave to their families back home. Plus, the opening and closing ceremonies will be something special!

It sounds like you’re taking major steps toward making the sport more media-friendly. How close do you think SUP is to gaining the kind of media exposure that could bring more money and visibility to athletes?

Absolutely! I’ve said this before in past interviews, but making our sport more professional really comes down to packaging it in a way that’s media-friendly. The goal is to get SUP on TV, to bring more exposure and funding to the athletes. We’re getting closer to that goal every year. Last year, we had so much interest from national TV stations worldwide. There were over 1,500 airings of clips and highlights across 200 countries! At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before a major network like ESPN picks up the live stream and takes us to the next level. And maybe we’ll even have a certain French guy on commentary!

(Laughs) That would be incredible! Lastly, could you tell us more about the organizing committee and the work they’ve been doing to make the World Championships in Sarasota a success?

The organizing committee at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota has been amazing. We started working together last year, meeting weekly to brainstorm and implement ideas to deliver the best World Championships. Bruce, Sarah, and Marnie, along with the rest of the team, are incredibly dedicated and have a wealth of experience organizing events. I’m really excited to see all their hard work come to life in November. It’s going to be a fantastic event, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

Thank you so much for your time, Hoichan! We’re looking forward to seeing how the event unfolds and all the exciting developments in the world of SUP.

Thank you! I can’t wait to see you all in Sarasota!

REGISTER NOW FOR THE ICF SUP WORLDS:
www.paddleguru.com
Official event website:
www.canoeicf.com