How SIC Maui’s Star David Leão Claimed His 2024 ISA Sprint World Title

Last month in Copenhagen, Denmark, Brazilian SUP racer David Leão claimed his first-ever world title at the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships, becoming the 2024 Sprint World Champion. Hailing from the vibrant surf town of Itacaré, in the state of Bahia, David’s path to the top was anything but conventional. His childhood, spent between the ocean and his father’s judo dojo, fostered a unique blend of mental toughness and ocean instincts. After more than a decade of dedication to stand-up paddling, his dream became reality as he crossed the finish line first. With unwavering focus and the support of the SIC Maui team for the past 6 years, David navigated the intense ISA SUP World Sprint competition to achieve this monumental victory. Now, as he celebrates his world title, he is also preparing for the next chapter: the ICF SUP Worlds in Florida and giving back to the sport through his social project for children in Brazil.

Olà David! Can you tell us about your journey in SUP racing? What sport(s) did you practice before SUP racing? How many years have you been competing, and what were some of your major milestones leading up to your recent ISA Sprint world title?

Olà Mathieu! I come from a family that breathes the island culture, always growing up in an atmosphere of nature and sports. My grandfather was a fisherman, and my grandmother was a cook in a beach restaurant. They were my inspiration to always be in that environment and to become the simple and determined person I am.

My father is a judo master and has been running a social project with children for 20 years. He always encouraged me to do sports. I started training judo at the age of 3, along with my father and brothers, competing and winning major titles in Brazil until I was 14. My siblings and I were very disciplined and dedicated to sports, and I built a judo career that will never be forgotten, both in terms of personal achievements and the time I dedicated to helping my father with children’s lessons.

I’ve always loved many sports, like capoeira, surfing, martial arts, and even soccer. Judo was the sport I dedicated myself to the most before starting SUP, so I believe that the discipline, respect, and self-control that judo teaches were crucial to shaping me into the athlete and person I am today.

I’ve been competing in SUP for 11 years now. I believe my key milestones before becoming world champion were achieving the runner-up position at the PPG in the Junior category, which was very challenging at the time, winning the European Pro-Junior Championship, being a Pan-American and South American medalist, placing in the top 3 at the ISA Sprint World Championships in Puerto Rico, and the top 5 at the World Sprint Championships in France, along with reaching the sprint finals at the APP World Tour.

Where exactly do you live in Bahia? What does your daily routine look like, both in terms of training and your activities away from the water?

Currently, I live and train in my hometown, Itacaré, in southern Bahia, a town of 30,000 people known as a fishing and surfing village. I love living there because it has a unique atmosphere, great waves, and excellent training grounds, offering diverse conditions like a large river (the Contas River), the same river where Olympic canoe champion Isaquias Queiroz trains. I also do out-of-water training as part of my preparation, and I rely on health and human performance professionals who provide all the support I need. Because it’s a small town with rural areas and many people fishing, I’m fortunate to always have access to fresh, quality food, which is essential to my routine.

How did it feel to cross the finish line as the new ISA Sprint World champion?

Crossing the finish line in first place and realizing I had achieved my biggest goal of being the number one in the world was a unique feeling. It’s an incredibly strong emotion at first, an uncontrollable state of euphoria. It takes a while for it to sink in, but soon you realize that it’s real.

Back in April, you mentioned in a video interview with me that your big goal was to win the sprint world title. What steps did you take and what adjustments did you make in your training to reach that goal?

It was clear that I wanted it so much that I had no doubts I would succeed. Since the beginning of the year, I was determined, and no matter what challenges I faced, good or bad, I only thought about that bigger goal. I was very specific in my preparation and mindset. I believe I visualized that moment so much that the whole process felt like just walking toward the accomplishment I desired.

 Can you share the story of how you became a part of the SIC Maui team? How has the partnership influenced your racing and training?

My story with SIC Maui is very interesting because it all started with a pen and paper, when I wrote in 2017 that I would be part of the SIC team and become a world champion. In 2018, I went to the Pacific Paddle Games (PPG) in California with great difficulty, having no place to stay and no board to race with… that’s when SIC came in. I met Mike and Anthony (ed. Mike Eisert and Anthony Scaturro), and they helped me out by lending me a board. After winning a medal there and showing my potential, I was signed by them, and I’ve been with the team ever since, which totally changed my situation as an athlete and gave me access to high-performance equipment.

What board and dimensions did you use to win your world title, and why did you choose that specific setup?

I used SIC’s latest board at this world championship, and it was an excellent choice. The RST is undoubtedly the fastest board I’ve ever paddled. I love the way it navigates and its functionality in any terrain, giving me great comfort to perform my movements. Even though it’s 21 feet long and 260 liters, the SIC Maui RST is very comfortable and fast.

Looking ahead, what are your big objectives for the rest of this year and into next year? Are there any particular races or titles you’re targeting?

To finish the year, I will compete at the ICF SUP Worlds, which will be a big and very competitive event. Next year, I think it’s only fair to defend my world title, as well as put energy into starting my institute and social project for children in Brazil. The Euro Tour is a big ambition for me next year; I want to try to do the entire tour and see what happens. There are other projects in the works that I can’t talk about at the moment, but I’m super excited for what’s coming next.

To follow David Leão on Instagram:
@davidleaosup

To find out more about SIC Maui:
www.sicmaui.com
SIC Maui RST