Almost 900 registrations from 49 nations is set to ensure this month’s ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, will be the biggest yet.
The entry deadline is this Sunday, with a last minute rush expected to tip the number of registrations for the ICF’s fourth SUP world championships over the 900 mark. The titles have been growing bigger every year with more nations also taking part.
It’s a return to Asia for the ICF SUP world championships after the 2019 titles were held in Qingdao, China.
Nearly all of the reigning and former ICF world champions have entered for Pattaya, including Americans Connor Baxter and Fiona Wylde, France’s Titouan Puyo and Noic Garioud, Australia’s Michael Booth, Spain’s Espe Barreras and Italy’s Cecilia Pampinella.
The world championship titles on offer include the long distance, sprint and technical categories, as well as a race for inflatables. There will be junior, masters and elite categories. Ther are additional recreational races such as kids U13 and U15 and SUP one-design races in the event programme, encouraging paddlers of all level to bring their friends and family to join the festivities.
“Every world championships we aim to lift the bar higher, and thanks to the enthusiasm of our Thai hosts and our global SUP community there is no doubt we are going to reach new heights in Pattaya,” ICF SUP Committee Chair, Noemi Horvat said.
“Not only is there going to be five days of incredible racing on the water, but there will also be wall-to-wall entertainment on the beaches, making this week one for everyone to enjoy.
“There has been a strong response from athletes throughout Asia, so we might see some of the more dominant countries that we are used to see doing well at our world championships, really challenged this month.”
This year, a masters’ athlete from India, Sathish Kumar, will be making his return to the world championships after his debut in 2021. Sathis is the founder of SUP MARINAA Club and SUP Chairman IKCA-TACK.
Sathish, like many other stand up paddlers, started SUP as a fun recreational activity then fell in love with the sport. A fisherman by profession, Sathish has made it his goal to spread the beauty of the sport across his home country of India by starting local clubs and sponsoring athletes to compete at international competitions. Impressively, Sathish has set a new world record recently by paddling from India to Sri Lanka and back!
A group Facebook page has also been set up to meet paddlers like Sathish. All participants are urged to add their pics and videos as excitement builds towards the world championships. You can find the latest entry list here. All athletes are urged to check their entries, and add any missing detail. The entry deadline is this Sunday, November 5. Any changes, please email hoichan.kwon@canoeicf.sport
You can make your last minute entries here.
