Seoul SUP Open: KAPP and the APP World Tour Unveil Asia’s Newest SUP Hotspot

This summer, the APP World Tour lands in Korea’s dynamic capital for the very first edition of the Seoul SUP Open, taking place July 5 and 6 on the Han River. Organized by KAPP, this new flagship event promises two action-packed days of world-class SUP racing with sprint and distance formats, plus a vibrant lineup of cultural and wellness experiences — from K-pop shows to Dog Yoga.

We caught up with French expat David Leitão, a key figure behind KAPP, to hear about his personal journey to Korea and how the event is helping position Seoul as a major SUP destination. And thanks to the Bleisure Travel program supported by the Korea Tourism Office, international paddlers are invited to stay a little longer and explore the city’s rich culture, food, and iconic landmarks — making the Seoul SUP Open more than just a race.

David, can you tell us a bit about your personal journey — how did you end up living in Korea, and what’s your role within the KAPP organization?

Hello Mathieu, to make a long story short, I left France to go live in Australia where I met a Korean girl, that would later become my wife. I had traveled to different parts of the world but I had never been to Asia and did not know much about Korea at that time. After having thought about it for a while, I decided to take on a new challenge and
follow her back to her country, experience a different culture, learn another language, meet new people and discover new flavors. I have been leaving in Korea for about 10 years now and I am glad I took that decision few years back.

I have been working with the KAPP and participated in its creation about 4 years ago. My role at the KAPP is mainly to take care of all the international aspects but also I also take part in the marketing, partnerships, organization, management and creation of educational programs. The diversity of tasks and people met combined to my passion for sports is what makes my job interesting and motivating.

After three successful editions of the Busan SUP Open, this year the flagship APP World Tour event moves to the capital with the first-ever SEOUL SUP OPEN — why the change in location?

The KAPP has hosted several SUP competitions since its creation, starting with the Asian Qualifier we organized in 2022 in Busan, in the south of the country. The same year, we organized the first APP World Tour Busan SUP Open and hosted that event there until 2024. In 2023, we hosted the Seoul International Competition and Water Sports Festival on the Han river in cooperation with the APP. Last year, we launched the K-SUP Cup in Gangneung, on the north east coast of the country and in Danyang, in the center south part of Korea.

Having events held in different locations around Korea provides athletes and participants a diversity of environments and conditions with some of them being on open waters while others are held on flat waters. Although we wish to provide that diversity of location, we also take into consideration the accessibility and are aware that getting to those locations can be challenging. Having the main event held in the capital makes the travel for international participants much more convenient, faster and easier. Seoul has two main airports
(Incheon and Gimpo) that are well connected to all the parts of the city and the public transportation system is well developed and very efficient.

Can you walk us through the SUP program of the SEOUL SUP OPEN? What races and formats are on the schedule this year?

The overall program and races remains similar to the previous editions. On the Saturday, we will have the opening ceremony, followed by the Sprint races which finals will be broadcasted live on a national Korean TV. The Sprint race course is 300m in length built around a M shape and includes three turning points. During the day, there will also be side activities that include Floating Yoga, Silent Yoga and African Dance. Then in the evening, the award ceremony for the Sprint races will take place before taking a rest and getting ready for the next day.

Sunday is the Distance race day with the course length varying depending on the category; 9km for the Pros, 6km for the Amateurs and 3km for the youth U14, U16 and U18. The course itself is 1.5km in length and includes five turning points, so participants will do few laps to complete the race. Side events will also take place such as a K-pop performance, Dog Yoga, Floating Yoga, Paddle for the Planet and the 1.5km timing challenge, that gives everyone the opportunity to test themselves without having the pressure of competing against other participants.

On the evening, we will close the event with the awards for the Distance race but also for the Overall results (Sprint and Distance combined).

Who can participate in the event? Is it open to both elite athletes and amateurs, and are there categories for youth or para-athletes?

The events we organize are meant to gather everyone regardless of their skill or experience, both on water and on land. The competition part features both Sprint and Distance races that are split between men and women for all the categories, starting from the under 14 years old, under 16 years old, under 18 years old to amateurs and pros.

For those that are not ready to compete or simply want to enjoy the experience of SUP without the stress of the competition, they can enter the 1.5km timing challenge that will assess their personal time or join us to paddle all together during the Paddle for the Planet event to help increase awareness about the protection of the environment. All Paddle for the Planet participants will also receive a dedicated thirst as a souvenir of their participation.

Finally, everyone is welcome to attend side activities or simply watch the show!

What do you think draws people to Korean culture, and what can international paddlers and visitors expect when they come to Seoul for the event?

The Korean culture spread widely around the globe in recent years, specially through music, dramas, fashion, pop culture in general and food. I believe people want to know more and discover those aspects first hand. For example, you can definitely try a Bibimbap in Paris or New York but will it be the same as being in a traditional restaurant in the heart of Seoul? The fact that Korea offers a mix of traditional customs and modern influences is what makes it attractive and we hope the event gives international paddlers the opportunity to come to Korea to get to experience that.

From the organizer perspective, we try our best to provide an accessible and friendly event that people will enjoy being part of, share good moments and memories. Together with our partners, we also try to support international paddlers when possible, for example by proposing special accommodation deals or being able to offer the opportunity to explore Seoul on a tour. This year, the KTO (Korea Tourism Office) has created a tour program that allows those participating in our event to experience Seoul for a full day at no cost. Those interested can look out for more information on the KAPP website

And finally, outside of the SUP races, what are the must-see spots or must-do experiences in Seoul that you’d recommend to first-time visitors?

The above program proposed by the KTO provides a good start to experience Seoul in a nutshell, with the Gyeongbok Palace and iconic Namsan Tower. Besides that, Seoul has a lot to offer depending on your interest and taste. Nearby the event site, I would recommend the Lotte World Tower, the highest building in Korea that offers a 360-degree view of the city and beyond, and its mall to go shopping. Myeongdong, in the center north side of the city is a well-known place to go, with a huge amount of shops, coffee shops and restaurant. Hongdae, in the east side of Seoul, is a lively area with a busking area, a shopping street that offers plenty of shops, trendy places to eat, and a vibrant nightlife.

Insadong provides a more traditional charm with handicraft shops, bookstores and porcelain shops. Visiting that neighborhood is also a must to find traditional Korean restaurants and try Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). Right behind the Gyeongbok palace is Bukchcon, a neighborhood filled with traditional Korean houses (Hanok), a
nice spot to get back in time or to get that perfect insta shot! Alongside those places, Seoul provides a lot of places to stay active with several mountains to go hiking or the Han river that crosses the city from east to west to go strolling or cycling for example. You can also decide to visit one of the numerous Buddhist temple to relax or go to a traditional Korean market.