Sergio Cantoral wins the Technical Race and lands triple Top 5 in Italy at the Spring SUP Race

At just 20 years old, Spanish SUP athlete Sergio Cantoral has already built an impressive international racing résumé. Based in Santa Pola, Alicante, and riding for NSP, Sergio’s journey from standout junior talent to consistent podium contender on the world stage has been shaped by grit, determination, and a dynamic paddling style. At last weekend’s Spring SUP Race in Italy, he once again showcased his versatility, finishing in the Top 5 across all three disciplines – including a brilliant win in the Technical Race.

Picture: keepsporting

Sergio, congratulations! You had an outstanding performance at last weekend’s Spring SUP Race in Italy, finishing strong in all disciplines and taking the win in the Technical Race. How do you feel about your overall results, and what do you think was the key to your success in the Technical Race?

Thank you so much! It was an amazing weekend. Being able to fight for a podium finish in all disciplines at such an international event is incredible. I really enjoyed every moment of it, and winning the Technical Race made it even more special. I’m so happy and stoked about my results, and I can’t wait for the next races. The start is definitely really important in a short and explosive race like this. So for sure, those first meters were a big part of the key to winning the Tech Race.

Picture: Planet Canoe

You’re part of the NSP team – which boards did you use in the different races, why did you choose them, and how did they help you perform at your best?

For this event, I used the NSP Ninja 20” in all my races. Its easy acceleration and top speed made it the perfect choice for both the sprint and technical races. But also, its comfort was super helpful for putting all the power into the sprints, doing quick beach starts, and sharp turns. The tail we’ve had on the Ninja for two years now is amazing for turning. My Ninja was also super comfortable for handling the versatile conditions we had in the long-distance race. Some parts were flat, where top speed was crucial, and others were rough, with crazy side-winds around 30 knots, choppy water, and draft battles! I’m quite tall, so having a fast board that is also comfortable to ride is essential for me, that’s why I love NSP boards.

Picture: Gran Carrera del Mediterraneo SUP Race

Your whole family is into SUP – how did that start, and who exactly in your family is paddling as well?

Yes true! In my family, we’ve all done SUP, but the first one to start was my little brother, Ruben. He began after the pandemic in September 2020, and about a month later, my father and I joined him. Then my sister and mother tried it too, we were amazed by the sport and the feeling of freedom and calm in the ocean, as well as the incredible environment at Club Deportivo Parres. It’s really close and familiar, so it suited us perfectly.

Picture: ICF

What does a typical day in your life look like? How do you balance training, recovery, work, and your studies?

Normally, I start my day with a SUP training session early in the morning before my classes. Then I go to university for the rest of the morning, and after that, I go back home to eat and rest. In the afternoon, I do another training session, usually at the gym. On some days, I also go back to the water to coach the group training sessions at the club. This way, I can fit in more sessions in my day and have more recovery time between each one than if I only trained in the afternoon.

SUP is essentially an individual sport, but since childhood, you’ve been training with Club Deportivo Parres. What does this team dynamic mean to you?

Yeah, it’s been almost five years now since I started practicing watersports at Club Deportivo Parres. Sharing the same passion for SUP and love for the ocean with people from your hometown is incredible, we’re like a family. Every day at the club, the atmosphere is amazing. I think training alone is important for developing mental strength, but imagine having the chance to train with 40–50 people on weekends, it feels like you’re in a race! Being part of one of the biggest SUP clubs in the world is amazing. The great results my teammates and I have achieved over the years also belong to everyone who is paddling with us every week – they make us try harder and improve every single day.

Picture: Club Deportivo Parres

What’s next for you – do you have a clear goal for this season?

There are going to be a lot of important races in the first part of the season with the new European SUP League, so it’s a clear goal for me to be strong in those races, especially with one of the biggest events of the year happening at home: the World SUP Festival. And of course, both World Championships – the ICF in Abu Dhabi and the ISA. I’ve never had the opportunity to represent my country in an ISA, so that’s a big goal for me this season.

Picture: Euro Tour

Finally, your top 3 tips for young SUP athletes who want to be strong across all disciplines?

Definitely discipline – if you want to be good in different types of races, you might need to work on things you don’t enjoy as much. But if you want to be a complete paddler, it’s essential. Choosing the right gear for you is also really important. For me, having fast and versatile boards that can perform at a high level in different race conditions, like the NSP range, is crucial. And most importantly, have fun! Learn to enjoy every moment of the process, and be patient. That’s really important in a sport where the conditions are always changing.

Picture: ICF

For more information about NSP products, visit their website or Instagram page. You can also follow Sergio Cantoral on his Instagram page for updates.