Could the European Sup League have discovered the next fastest athlete in the women’s sprint field? Meet Núria Chiquero García

At just 17, Núria Chiquero García is already racing at the front of the European field while still competing in the Under-18 category. Building on the strong season she began on the European SUP League (ESL), the Santa Pola athlete, coached by Daniel Parres at Club Deportivo Parres, has delivered a series of notable results on the international stage.

At the 2026 World SUP Festival Costa Blanca, she finished fifth in the women’s Technical Race and seventh in the Long Distance, before taking runner-up spots in both the Technical Race and Sprint at the ODRA SUP Cup in Poland, just behind Alba Frey.

At the Isla Cristina SUP Race in September, she again finished second in both the women’s Sprint and Technical Race, coming increasingly close to her first Open women’s victory.
These results secured Chiquero second place overall in the 2026 European SUP League women’s standings, with 2,574 points behind Alba Alonso Frey.

Now fresh off her Sprint victory at EUROPSUP 2026 in Melilla, Chiquero has capped a phenomenal run, establishing herself as one of the young female athletes to watch in European SUP racing.

We caught up with Nuria to look back on her standout moments from the European SUP League season, how racing at the highest level has helped build her confidence, and the NSP boards she relies on to deliver her best performances on the water.

Hi Núria, welcome to TotalSUP and massive congrats on an incredible season! You’ve finished second overall in the 2026 European SUP League, behind Alba Alonso Frey. How does that result feel now that circuit has finished?

I’m really happy, to be honest. It has been a unique experience being able to share moments on the water with athletes at such a high level. I feel like I still have a lot to learn and improve, but every competition in this circuit has helped me grow, both in and out of the water, and see the races in a different way.

Also, finishing second gives me a lot of motivation to keep working and face the next competitions with even more excitement.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

You’re still an U18 athlete, but you’re finishing ahead of many senior athletes. Do you see yourself differently now?

Yes, I do think I see myself a little differently. After this season, I have more confidence in myself and I approach races with more determination. I’ve also realised that I can give a little more than I thought I could, and that has made me believe in my abilities more.

But I still get the same nerves before competing and I still have the same respect for every race. I don’t go into a race thinking I’m going to win just because of this. I just feel like I now go out on the water believing in myself a little more and in what I can do.

What goes through your head when you realise you’re racing alongside – and keeping pace with – some of Europe’s best?

Honestly, it depends a little on the moment. In some races, especially the sprints, I don’t even have time to think about it because everything happens so quickly. Of course, I have a lot of respect for the athletes who I know are at the very top of stand-up paddle, and I’m aware of the level they have, but when I’m on the water, I see them as just another competitor.

In the end, I approach them in the same way, whether I’m competing against an absolute-level athlete or one of my Under-18 teammates. I think that also helps me not think too much about who I’m up against and just focus on doing my own race.

You’re a very versatile paddler, but is there a particular format you naturally prefer – sprint, technical or long distance? And why?

I enjoy all the events because each one has something different, but the ones I enjoy the most are the sprint and the technical race. In the technical race, I really like the uncertainty around the first few buoys, because you never know exactly how the turn is going to play out or who is going to get ahead.

Also, so many things can change in such a short amount of time during the race, and that’s what makes it so interesting for me. And the sprint is probably my favourite. I really like how explosive the race is and the competitiveness from the start, because everything happens so quickly and even the smallest detail can make a difference.

What have you learned through competition that you couldn’t learn in training?

I think I’ve learned a lot this season, both technically and mentally. Above all, I’ve learned to make better decisions in the turns and to be more decisive from the start. I’ve also learned that even if the start doesn’t go as planned, if I know I can be up front, I have to keep pushing, stay focused on my own race and not worry about what the other competitors are doing.

And, most importantly, I’ve learned to keep racing all the way to the finish line and to control my nerves a little better during races.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

You’ve been riding an NSP board – which models are your go to?

My favourite is the NSP Carolina Evo because I find it to be a very light and comfortable board. Above all, I like it because it’s very versatile and performs well both when the sea is a bit choppy and when it’s completely flat.

I also really like the Ninja Evo. Although I haven’t competed with it, the times I’ve tried it, I’ve found it to be very light and fast, especially for sprint starts.

What are you racing plans for the rest of the season and you biggest goal for 2026?

The European Championships in Melilla with the national team were one of my main goals for the season. It’s something really special for me because it’s my first time being part of the team, and I’m really excited to have this experience and share it with my teammates. I hope to enjoy the competition and perform at my best.

Núria at the European Surfing Federation EuroSUP 2026 – Sprint Championship Title

My biggest goal this season is the World Championships in Italy. I’ve never competed at a World Championship before, so it’s a really important challenge for me and an experience I’m really looking forward to. I want to be as prepared as possible, enjoy the opportunity and give it my all in every race.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

What would you like people to know about you as an athlete?

I would like people to know that my teammates are a very important part of me as an athlete. They help and motivate me a lot because even on days when I’m tired or don’t feel like training, seeing them work hard makes me want to push myself a little more too. I think training and competing together makes everything much easier and more enjoyable.

To find out more about European SUP League (ESL), visit europeansupleague.com

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