5* EuroTour Race at Mondello Water Festival 2024: A Must-See Water Sports Adventure on Sicily

Dive into the heart of Sicily for an unparalleled adventure at the Water Festival, curated by stand-up paddle enthusiast and outdoor sports addict, Vincenzo Michelucci. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Gulf of Mondello, just a stone’s throw from Palermo, Italy, this festival, happening from May 3-5, is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of water sports, wellness, and community. Under Michelucci’s visionary leadership, participants from around the globe are invited to explore a variety of activities ranging from SUP, e-foil, to wing foil, amidst crystal-clear waters and Caribbean-like sands. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a curious beginner, the Water Festival promises an unforgettable experience, blending the thrill of a Euro Tour prize competition with a prize money of 8000€  – and with the joy of learning and connecting with fellow sports enthusiasts. Make unforgettable memories by the turquoise sea in a setting that offers both challenge and charm, making it a must-attend event for athletes and water sports fans.

Ciao, Vincenzo! What role has stand-up paddleboarding in your life?

Hi, TotalSUP friends! I’m Vincenzo Michelucci, a stand-up paddle athlete since 2014 -although lately, I’ve not been paddling as often as before- and an outdoor sports addict. After practicing many sports like mountain biking, climbing, show jumping, rally, and many others, I discovered stand-up paddling and fell in love with it. A few years later, Water Experience was born, and I kicked off my first competitions around Europe.

How was the idea of a water festival born?

The Water Festival was born from the evolution of the Mondello Sup Festival – a SUP race event that needed to become something bigger. I’m perfectly aware of the costs and efforts involved in organizing events, as well as the expenses incurred to participate in a race. That’s why I decided to create something that is not just a simple race but something that mixes show, fun, and an opportunity to spend time with many other passionate sports enthusiasts. The Water Festival aims to be more than just a simple sports event; it aims to be a gathering, bringing together the strongest athletes and those who are new to the sport, aiming to entertain and, above all, create memories by the sea. Indeed, our hashtag is #MakeMemoriesByTheSea.

What different sports are represented at the festival?

For the 2024 edition, we’ve pushed significantly further. The Water Festival will host six competitions: EuroTour Sup, Wings For Life World Run, Italian Beach Volley Championship, Italian Beach Tennis Championship, Lift E-Foils Battle Race (a format we’ve created last year), and a Wing Foil race for amateurs. Furthermore, we’ve planned promotional activities such as SUP excursions, clinics, e-foil demonstrations, wing foil lessons, beach volleyball and tennis trials, as well as yoga, flying yoga dance, crossfit, scuba diving, and much more, including evening entertainment.

Eurotour is a high-level race!

For years, I’ve been thinking that Mondello is the perfect bay for SUP, offering weather conditions that can cater to all types of paddlers. Unfortunately, SUP isn’t widely practiced here, and I’ve always had the dream to see this sport grow and to showcase this spectacular place to paddlers from around the world. There couldn’t have been a better opportunity than to be one of the most important stages of EuroTour. I’m grateful to Belar for believing in Water Festival since the beginning, and I can’t wait for him to experience this place firsthand.

How will the conditions be?

We can expect anything. As mentioned earlier, Mondello can offer any condition imaginable, from incredibly flat seas to 2-meter waves crashing on the beach, strong winds, or perfect conditions just outside the bay for downwind paddling. It’s hard to predict now, but we know for sure we all are going to have a lot of fun.

We’ve established agreements with nearby accommodations (you can find them on the official website), and within the event village, there will be refreshment points offering local and healthier food options. Participants in the Water Festival will also have access to a dedicated price list. For those who decide to integrate their registration into the Water Festival after signing up for the EuroTour, there will be a €40 reduction, making the registration cost only €24. All details are available on the website.

What makes this race interesting for athletes from abroad to join? 

The prize money is certainly attractive, and the setting of the Water Festival makes everything even more exciting. We expect international athletes, and we know for sure that some of the strongest Italian athletes have already shown interest in the race.

Who are the leading names from Italy?

Davide Alpino, Riccardo Rossi, Filippo Mercuriali, Tommaso and Cecilia Pampinella, Velia Pisanelli, all the team from Sup Academy Taranto, and many other big names will be on board!

There will be many social programs as well. How will the vibes be?

About the vibes: only good vibes. The program will be packed with activities to experience. At the time of this interview, we’ve posted a draft of the program on the website, to give those who sign up for the races a clear idea of when the competitions will take place (remember that it could always undergo changes), but I’m sure that within the next week, we’ll launch the whole and detailed program with planned activities.

What athletes can do before or after the event in the region, if they want to stay longer?

We’re on the cusp of the May Day holiday, which will be celebrated in many European locations. In Sicily, there are countless activities to do, from mountain excursions to museum visits, adrenaline-filled activities in nature. I could go on and on about what to do, but Sicily needs to be discovered. If you have a few extra days, I can’t help but suggest enjoying a sunset aperitif at the Stagnone di Marsala. In any case, together with my staff, we’re ready to provide suggestions to all those who want to spend a few extra days on vacation.

For more information on the 2024 Water Festival, visit:

Official Website
Facebook page
EuroTour
All EuroTour events are on the TotalSUP calendar

Photos by courtesy of: Water Experience