Golden sweep sets Lisa Venturelli up for 2026 ICF SUP World Championships on home turf in Sabaudia, Italy

Over the years, we’ve made it a point to shine a light on the next generation of stand-up paddlers, following their journeys as they grow from promising juniors into athletes ready to challenge the world’s best. Few things are more inspiring than watching young SUP athletes make the leap from the junior ranks to the Open divisions, while arriving at world-class international events with a level of discipline, humility and race maturity well beyond their years.

With the season reaching its peak, one young paddler’s breakthrough performance certainly didn’t go unnoticed. While many of the sport’s established names continue to dominate the headlines, Lisa Venturelli announced herself to the international SUP community with a standout performance at the inaugural ICF SUP Junior International Cup in Romania.

At just 16 years old, the Rimini, Italy native has already built an outstanding résumé. An explosive sprinter with remarkable versatility across every race format, Lisa claimed an incredible triple gold in Romania. But her rise didn’t begin there. Two years earlier, in 2023, she became the Italian Absolute Champion at just 13 years of age, defeating more experienced athletes and proving that her success was built on consistency, dedication and the ability to perform under pressure against the very best.

Training with Circolo Canottieri Barion under coach Davide Alpino and racing on her 14′ × 20″ NSP Ninja, Lisa continues to raise the bar. While she enjoys every discipline, sprint racing remains her favourite.

“The sprint is my favourite race because it’s very exciting and requires you to give your absolute best over 100 or 200 meters. It’s also thrilling for the audience to watch.”

We caught up with Lisa fresh from her latest international success to learn more about the athlete behind the medals. What we discovered was not only a fierce competitor, but a humble young paddler who was quick to acknowledge the support of her coach, teammates and fellow competitors—a quality every bit as impressive as her results on the water.

With the 2026 ICF Stand Up Paddling (SUP) World Championships set to take place on home waters in Sabaudia, Italy (14-18 November), Lisa will enter the event as one of the athletes to watch!

Image source: Watertight / Courtesy of Lisa Venturelli

Hi Lisa, welcome to TotalSUP and massive congratulations on your Triple Gold brought from the first ICF SUP Junior International Cup in Romania! What does this achievement mean to you?

Winning three gold medals at the ICF Junior World SUP Cup was an indescribable feeling – one of those moments I will always carry with me.

Every race was filled with adrenaline: the excitement before the start, the intensity of the competition, and finally the incredible joy of crossing the finish line knowing I had given everything I had. Hearing my teammates and my dad cheering for me made it even more special. He has always travelled the world with me, supporting me through every challenge, and having him there meant so much.

Sharing these three victories with Gianluca Corriero, someone I care about very much, was one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. Living those moments together made them even more special and unforgettable.

The prize money was also very important to me because it will help me continue pursuing this sport and cover some of the many expenses that come with competing at this level. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable weekend full of hard work, emotions, and happiness.

Image source: ICF SUP Junior Cup

You’re part of a new generation of Italian SUP racers making an impression on the international scene. What attracted you to SUP racing in particular?

What has always attracted me the most is the opportunity to compete against athletes from all over Italy and even from around the world. Competitions are the moment when you have to put into practice all the hard work you’ve done in the previous weeks.

They have also given me the chance to meet amazing people, many of whom were my childhood idols. What I love most about competing is the adrenaline and, above all, the joy of crossing the finish line.

Lisa at this year’s Lake Rocks Festival | Photo Andy Klotz

Who inspired you when you were starting out?

The first person who inspired me was my brother Luca, who started doing SUP before I did. I wanted to try this sport too by following in his footsteps.

When I first started, my biggest role model was Cecilia Pampinella. I loved watching her videos, and she was a real source of inspiration for me.

Image source: The EuroTour

Which club and Coach do you train with, and what role has it played in your development as an athlete?

I am a member of Circolo Canottieri Barion, and my coach is Davide Alpino. Davide coaches me remotely because he lives in Puglia with the rest of the team. So in a way, I have to rely a lot on my own discipline and motivation. Even so, we regularly have video calls, and I often travel to train with the rest of the team.

He has been instrumental in my development, teaching me how to train properly, listen to my body, and believe in myself more. He has always supported me despite the distance between us.

What do you think makes the Italian paddling scene so good at developing young talent?

In my opinion, the Italian paddlesports scene is very strong, as there are many sports clubs spread throughout the country. This gives athletes the opportunity to compete against each other regularly during the Italian National Championships, helping to continuously raise the overall level of competition.

Furthermore, the support provided by the national federation is essential. Through training camps, competitions, and development programs for young athletes, it encourages continuous improvement and inspires the dream of earning a place on the Italian National Team, with the goal of representing Italy at the World Championships and other major international competitions.

Who are some of the Italian female paddlers you look up to, and what have you learned from racing with them?

Italy is home to so many outstanding athletes, but the ones who inspire me the most are Cecilia Pampinella, Sveva Sabato, and Claudia Postiglione.

Competing alongside them has taught me the true value of competitiveness and, when needed, the determination and fighting spirit that can make all the difference in a race. Thanks to them, I’ve learned how to stand my ground and never give up, always giving everything I have until the very last meter before the finish line.

The best part is that, beyond our sporting rivalry, a wonderful friendship is growing between us. I’m truly grateful to them for everything they have taught me and for helping me grow, both as an athlete and as a person.

Photo by Andy Klotz

The ICF World SUP Championships are coming to Italy this year. How exciting is it to have a world championship event on home waters?

Having the ICF World Championships in Italy is incredibly exciting because we’ll have the chance to represent our country in front of a home crowd. Racing on home waters is something special – it gives us extra motivation and a real sense of pride.

I’m sure the atmosphere will be amazing, with our families, friends, and Italian fans cheering us on. It also brings a little more pressure, but I see that as a positive challenge. Competing for a world title at home is a unique opportunity, and I can’t wait to experience it.

Image source: The EuroTour

Does racing in Italy give you extra motivation, or does it also bring a little more pressure?

Racing in Italy definitely gives me extra motivation. Knowing that I’ll have the home crowd, my family, and my friends cheering me on makes it a truly special experience.

At the same time, it also brings a little more pressure because I want to perform well in front of everyone who supports me. But I try to turn that pressure into positive energy and enjoy every moment. Racing at home is a unique opportunity, and I want to make the most of it.

Have you set yourself any specific goals for the event?

My main goal is to win as many medals as possible.

The events I’m focusing on the most are the long distance and the sprint. The technical race, on the other hand, is always a bit unpredictable. It’s a very fast event where anything can happen, and there’s no room for mistakes. You have to stay focused at all times, anticipate your competitors’ moves, and choose the best line, especially around the buoys.

Of course, I’ll give my best in the technical race as well, aiming to achieve the best result possible.

Lisa at the ICF SUP Junior International Cup in Romania | Image source: ICF SUP Junior Cup

Thank you Lisa, we can’t wait to follow your journey and catch up at the next start line!

Find out more and REGISTER for the 2026 ICF Stand-Up Paddling World Championships in Sabaudia, Italy here 

To find out more about NSP, visit nspsurfboards.com 

Follow NSP on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube 

Follow Lisa Venturelli on Instagram