Phaedon Doukas is ready to rip the sprints and solidify Greece as a world top SUP racing destination

With the scenic routes, international athlete line-up and a grand prize pot of 9000€, Agios Nikolaos On SUP 2023 (7-9 July 2023), the only ICF SUP World Cup event in Europe, is uniquely positioned in the SUP racing calendar. This National Panhellenic SUP Championship event will also see a strong representation of local elite athletes ready to solidify Greece’s  position as the world’s SUP racing destination.

TotalSUP caught up with Phaedon Doukas, National Team Rider, SUP and windsurfing pro athlete, to chat about this highly anticipated event and its perks!

Photo credit: Georgia Schofield

Hi Phaedon, welcome to TotalSUP! Could you tell us more about your watersport background and how did you get into the sport of stand-up paddleboarding?

Thanks for having me! I grew up in Athens, Greece. From a young age I was a sea enthusiast because of my father who taught me how to windsurf at the age of six. Around 2012 I started competing and winning my first podiums in Techno293. I had the opportunity to travel around Europe and participate in many windsurfing competitions, both Techno293 and RS:X.

Soon after stand-up paddleboarding SUPs arrived in Greece and I had the opportunity to get into the sport early learning advanced SUP techniques from the likes of Casper Steinfath, who often trained with us in Greece. I have been involved in the sport of stand-up paddleboarding since 2010. In 2012 I did my first Corinth Canal SUP crossing race! Here in Greece, in the National Championship rankings organized by the Hellenic Canoe-Kayak*SUP*Surfing Federation, I’ve held the top podium place for Sprints and Short distances since 2016.

Being also part of the Greek SUP National Team, I’ve had the opportunity to compete in all ICF World SUP Championship events in China, Hungary and Poland. Of course, when I am not on a downwind blast, I enjoy every moment on the water kitesurfing or wing foiling.

Photo credit: Georgia Schofield

Are you hyped about the way your local SUP racing scene is progressing?

Greece has amazing potential and awesome conditions for organising SUP racing events. For the past decade, we’ve kept the momentum through well-organized races in iconic locations such as  Agios Nicolas or Corinth, Corfu, Andros, Parga, Tzia, Chania, Sitia, Artemis in Athens and recently Thessaloniki where we raced next to the White Tower! The scene has though taken a hit from the COVID19 Pandemic. I am optimistic and hope that great events like Agios Nikolaos on SUP will attract the investment needed to make Greece the world’s next SUP racing meccah.

Greece winning the National Teams in Long distance and Technical race / Photo credit: Georgia Schofield

We’re catching up in the run up to the Agios Nikolaos on SUP event. Could you tell us more about your experience with this event?

I am excited to be returning to Agios after my first event in 2016. The event matured immensely and obviously the competition this year will be high. My focus is on sprint races and competing in the National Panhellenic SUP Championship and the ICF World SUP ranking.

Agios Nikolaos on SUP in 3 words and reasons to participate…

Words to summarize Agios: OPEN, WARM WELCOME and GREAT VIBES. Reasons to join the race: The location offers excellent alternative options for the organizers to set race courses irrespective of the weather conditions, plus there’s a stunning finish backdrop at the old harbour (but it can be choppy 🤪)

Which race formats will you be competing in during the event?

I am taking part in all disciplines – Sprint, Technical and Long Distance.

What’s your board set up for this event?

I will be riding my awesome NSP Carolina!

Thank you for your time Phaedon – Good luck with the event and the rest of the season!

>> To find out more about Agios Nikolaos On SUP, visit agiosonsup.gr

CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE EVENT HERE 

>> To REGISTER for the event, click here 

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>> Join the conversation on social media using the official event hashtags: #AgiosOnSup2023 #AgiosOnSup #AgiosNikolaosCrete #icfsup #icfsupworldcup #icfworlds #planetsup #planetcanoe