ICF SUP Committee activities Q2 2026

During the period from April to June 2026, the ICF SUP Committee focused on key strategic and operational areas related to competition management, event development, governance, communication, and coach education. 

World Ranking Series and Events 

The Committee reviewed the successful delivery of the second event of the World Ranking Series, the Lake Rocks Festival on Lake Faak in Villach, Austria. The Committee also oversaw preparations for the next major international event of the season: ICF SUP World Cup – Torbay, Great Britain (24–28 June 2026), featuring Sprint, Technical and Long Distance races for Open, Junior, Master 40+ and Master 50+ categories. Although the event will take place after the reporting period, final preparations and coordination formed an important part of the Committee's work during June. Discussions focused on improving consistency in event naming and branding across all ranking events to ensure clear communication for athletes, organisers, sponsors, and national federations. The Committee also addressed issues related to age group classifications and ranking points allocation, identifying the need for greater standardisation of junior and masters categories across international SUP events. 

2026 ICF SUP World Championships 

A significant portion of the Committee’s work was dedicated to preparations for the 2026 World Championships in Sabaudia, Italy. The Committee monitored organisational progress, reviewed venue and governance challenges, and provided feedback on competition logistics and course design. Detailed discussions were held regarding sprint, technical, and long-distance race formats. Following consultation with Committee members and advisors, it was agreed to increase the long-distance race distance to 12 km for 2026, reflecting athlete expectations and enhancing the endurance component of the championship. The Committee also reviewed course layouts to improve both athlete experience and spectator engagement. 

Coaching and Development Initiatives 

The Committee initiated work on the development of a SUP-specific coaching pathway. Discussions focused on assessing existing ICF coaching programmes, identifying target audiences, and exploring how coaching education can support national federations and athlete development. The Committee also considered development opportunities in emerging SUP nations. 

Communication and Stakeholder Engagement 

Improving communication with athletes, organisers, and national federations remained a priority. The Committee discussed measures to increase transparency around rule changes, event information, and committee activities. Plans were initiated to publish committee member biographies and improve dissemination of updates through official media channels and SUP community platforms. 

Committee Governance and Future Planning 

The Committee welcomed Kelley Yang as the new ICF liaison and discussed future Committee composition requirements, including upcoming gender balance regulations. Members also reviewed future event opportunities, including potential World Cup and World Championship hosts in 2027, and received updates on the forthcoming rebranding of the ICF to Paddle Worldwide. Overall, the Committee continued to strengthen the governance, visibility, and development of stand-up paddling while supporting the delivery of international events and preparing for future growth of the discipline. 

Noémi Horváth, Chair of the ICF Stand Up Paddling Committee