The Water Festival 2025 Is About to Make Waves in Sicily

The countdown is on! In just a few days, Sicily will welcome stand-up paddle athletes from across Europe and beyond for one of the most anticipated race events of the season: the Water Festival, happening May 1st to 4th in the stunning setting of Isola delle Femmine. But it’s more than just a race. It’s four days of sport, sea, and celebration where every competitor becomes part of something bigger.

This year, the event also marks stop #3 on the official Italian FISSW circuit, which means some of the best Italian racers will be lining up at the start, adding even more excitement and top-level competition to the weekend.

To dive deeper into what makes this event so unique, we’ve asked the man behind it all—organizer Vincenzo Michelucci—to walk us through the magic of the Water Festival.

Hello Vincenzo ! More than just the sporting event, can you talk about what Water Festival is and the experience you’ve created around it?

Water Festival was born for those who love the outdoors, for those who come alive by the sea and want to experience it to the fullest. It’s an event that brings together all kinds of people: those who’ve always practiced sports, those who’ve never tried but are curious and ready to step in, and those who simply want to explore something new.

It’s not just about races, and it’s not just parties. It’s a way of life.
It means waking up with yoga on the beach, grabbing a board and diving into the water, laughing with someone you’ve just met, dancing at sunset with your feet in the sand, discovering new emotions through sports in full contact with nature, and going home with new friends.
It’s a place where you instantly feel like you belong, because around you are people who, just like you, are looking for real emotions, unforgettable moments, and experiences that stay with you.

What about on the SUP race event within the event? Who is it for? Can beginners also participate, or is it mainly for experienced competitors?

Our event grew out of an amateur SUP race held for the first time in 2018. In 2023, we rebranded and officially launched Water Festival, expanding into many other disciplines and hosting one of the biggest EuroTour events ever.

This year, we’re proud to host the third stop of the Italian National Championship (FISSW). But it’s not just for pros: beginners are welcome and can join a dedicated amateur course designed especially for them.

Can you tell us more about the race course? What challenges will riders face?

The 2025 edition will feature three types of races:

• A technical and fast-paced beach race

• A long-distance challenge with stunning scenery

• A team relay race, made for fun and team spirit

There will also be a 1.5 km amateur race and our iconic WeRoad Big SUP Race  a timed race in costume, with prizes from WeRoad. A crazy, fun tradition everyone loves.

Why did you choose Sicily as the location for this competition? What makes it special for stand-up paddling?

Water Festival is organized by Water Experience, a certified SUP school with two headquarters in Sicily. This is our home, and that’s where everything started.
Sicily offers a unique combination of light, energy, crystal-clear water, breathtaking views and the warmest welcome you can imagine, perfect for water sports.
The format is growing, and we’ve already received requests to bring it abroad. But for now… no spoilers.

How can people register? Do you have different packages for the weekend?

We’ve kept registration simple. For those who don’t want to join the competitive races (except for the Big SUP Race, which is open to all), there are two main passes:

• SEA LOVERS: access to all festival activities except foil-related ones (e-foil, wing foil, pumping foil, etc.)

• FOIL LOVERS: full access to every single activity — foil included

For athletes, we offer specific registrations for:

• SUP U16 and Parasup

• SUP Open

• E-Foil Battle Race

• Pumping Foil

• Beach Volley Tournament

• Beach Tennis Tournament

All details are available on our official website, under the “registrations” section: waterfestival.it

What are the best options for participants in terms of accommodation and transportation? Are there any recommended hotels, nearby airports, or travel tips for those coming from abroad?

The closest airport is Palermo, just 10 minutes by car from the Water Festival venue.
On our website, under the “Useful” section, we’ve listed two recommended accommodations:

• One in Palermo, with a dedicated shuttle service

• One just 8 minutes walking distance from the beach

Everything’s been designed to make your travel experience easy and smooth.

For more information and to register, go to:
www.waterfestival.it
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