The Uffizi SUP Race is Back!

The Uffizi SUP Race is back! After a 2 year pause, the race has been relaunched, with a collaboration between Toscanasup, Martino Rogai and Riccardo Tonini this race has been made a fixed stop for the Italian circuit, and the race has been recognized as “regional event” of the Paddle League and will be valid for the world ranking points. The Uffizi SUP Race is Incorporated as part of the Florence Paddle Games . The Saturday pro race will host a number of international athletes, it will also be included in the FISW Surfing calendar, the Italian Federation of Stand Up Paddle and there is whooping €5000 prize money on offer! TotalSUP talks to co-organiser Martino Rogai about The Uffizi SUP race.

Hi Martino, The Uffizi SUP race sounds amazing can you give us brief introduction?

The goal of the Florence paddle games is to make the event a classic, also to launch and promote Italian races on the International SUP scene.  The previous 3 editions have seen an impressive international line up including paddlers such as Bruno Hasulyo (ISA 2017 world champion), Daniel Hasulyo, Leonard Nika, Martino Rogai, Paolo Marconi, Susak Molinero, Chiara Nordio, Claudio Nika, Davide Codotto, and we have Bruno, Olivia and Susak confirmed for this year.

Where will the race be held?

The race will run through the center of the amazing city of Florence, Tuscany taking in the unique historical buildings of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. The event will be hosted in the extraordinary location of Canottieri Firenze, a famous location in the Florentine rowing scene right under the Uffizi Gallery! This location was the famous Medici Family’s horses stable during their Florence kingdom in the Middle ages and it’s a truly fascinating place paddling location, just 100 meters to the magnificient tourist attraction of Ponte Vecchio, this time paddlers will see it from a completely different view!

Can you describe the race format?

There are 3 races, all set within the Florence Paddle Festival, Saturday 28th April is dedicated to the classic Uffizi Sup Race, This is the 4th edition, and is a truly international race with €5000 euro of prize money. It will be a Pro and Amateur long distance between the central bridges of Florence. For the first time in Italy, The main categories will have a completely seperate start time, we have done this to focus the attention on each individual race category. For example the Pro men will start after the end of Pro women race, as should it be in International field. It is important to point out that the prize money is equal between genders.

On Sunday 29th April, we have a day dedicated for sup lovers and groms alike, there is 1st edition of the  prestigious Junior Uffizi Cup, the first official Italian race dedicated to all the Junior Categories, divided into 4 categories: under 18, under 16, under 14 and under 12. The junior course will be between Ponte Vecchio arches completely spectacular scenery.  Juniors and the older athletes will compete on exciting circuit and in quick heats to crown a winner pumped by thousands of people.

On the Sunday there will also be the Florence Fun Race hosted by Starboard.

What is the prize money on offer?

The prize money for the Uffizi SUP Pro Race for first place is €1,000, second €700, third €400, fourth €200 and fifth is €100 this is for both female and male paddlers. The florence fun race for first place is €100 for both female and male paddlers.

Can you describe the SUP clinics?

​The race will host a number of clinics run by the international riders present including Bruno Hasulyo (The ISA world champion), Olivia Piana (the European champion and vice ISA world champion)  and the vice European champion and Spanish champion Susak Molinero will run a clinics focused on SUP racing skills, specifically skills in efficiency of paddling,  generating speed and maneuverability of the board, and in race strategy. There will also be a lot of emphasis on technique and training methods to improve your level and take the best learning from Innate Sport Excellence private clinic.

Follow TotalSUP Event Page for more information and Race registration.