The 10 things you need to know about the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship are:
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1. The Event
The ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) will gather the world’s best SUP Racers, SUP Surfers, and Paddleboarders to compete in an International Teams competition.
It is an “Olympic Style” event – teams compete for medals and the honor of representing their countries. The excellence of competition reaches its highest level as each participant defends his or her country’s flag.
2. The Venue
Sayulita is a quaint, coastal village about 25 miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, with a population of approximately 5,000.
Summer temperatures in Sayulita average 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) with high humidity and chances of rain.
Punta Sayulita is a rock/reef bottom break that is fed sand by a river-mouth, offering up right and left waves to surf.
3. The Competition
The ISA WSUPPC is an annual competition that will visit Mexico for the first time, and will feature defending Gold Medalists and up-and-coming athletes from around the world.
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4. The History
The ISA is Surfing’s World Governing Authority as recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1995. The ISA first held the World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in 2012, in Miraflores, Peru and again in 2013.
During the 2014 ISA WSUPPC that took place in Granada and La Boquita, Nicaragua, the Australian Team won 11 Individual Medals and the Team Relay Gold Medal, awarding them the overall World Team Championship for the third consecutive year.
5. The Mission
The ISA’s mission is to develop Surfing and SUP globally. The 2015 edition of the World Championship was brought to Mexico to further develop the sport in the country. The ISA’s mission is fulfilled through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Surfing and SUP’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
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6. The Numbers
More than 300 SUP Surfers, SUP Racers, Paddleboarders and Team Officials from 27 countries will participate in the event. It will feature the following divisions with the maximum number of competitors per country in parenthesis:
SUP Surfing: Men (2), Woman (1)
SUP Racing Technical: Men (2), Woman (1)
SUP Racing Distance: Men (2), Woman (1)
Paddleboard Racing Technical: Man (1), Woman (1)
Paddleboard Racing Distance: Man (1), Woman (1)
Paddle Team Relay: (4 athletes per team)
SUP Racing: Man (1), Woman (1)
Paddleboard: Man (1), Woman (1)
7. The Schedule
The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Opening Ceremony will officially take place on May 10th, 2015 in Sayulita, Mexico, with the Parade of the Nations and the Sands of the World Ceremony.
The Parade of Nations is a colorful and energy-filled event, complete with teams chanting, flags waving and locals cheering who come out to watch the celebration.
The Sands of the World Ceremony symbolizes the true fraternal spirit that bonds all members of the global surfing tribe. The union of the countries in this Ceremony is symbolized through the mixing of the sands from the shores of all participating International Delegations, showcasing the ISA’s desire for a better and peaceful world.
Full Schedule Below (Subject to change according to local conditions):
Friday, May 8th
Press Conference 11am
Sunday, May 10th
Opening Ceremony 5pm
Monday, May 11th
First Day of Competition – SUP Surfing
Tuesday, May 12th
Long Distance Women Finals (SUP and Paddleboard)
Wednesday, May 13th
Long Distance Men Finals (SUP and Paddleboard)
Thursday, May 14th
SUP Surfing
Friday, May 15th
Technical Race Qualifying
Saturday, May 16th
SUP Surfing Finals & Team Relay
Sunday, May 17
Technical Race Finals
Team Relay Finals
Closing Ceremony
8. The Expectation
Traditional SUP and Paddleboard powerhouse teams like Australia, USA, France and Brazil have confirmed their participation in the World Championship.
In addition, new teams will have a presence including Hawaii, Holland and the US Virgin Islands.
9. The Growth
The ISA WSUPPC has witnessed explosive growth since the inaugural event in 2012. This World Championship has nearly tripled from 105 to more than 300 participants and grown from 17 to 27 countries.
10. Past Champions
2014 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalists:
Overall Team Champion – Australia
Men’s SUP Surfing – Poenaiki Raioha (TAH)
Women’s SUP Surfing – Emmy Merrill (USA)
Men’s SUP Technical Race – Casper Steinfath (DEN)
Women’s SUP Technical Race – Shakira Westdorp (AUS)
Team Relay – Australia
Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Rhys Burrows (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Men’s SUP Long Distance Race – Titouan Puyo (FRA)
Women’s SUP Long Distance Race – Lina Augaitis (CAN)
Men’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Rhys Burrows (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
2013 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalists:
Overall Team Champion – Australia
Men’s SUP Surfing – Sean Poynter (USA)
Women’s SUP Surfing – Nicole Pacelli (BRA)
Men’s SUP Technical Race – Casper Steinfath (DEN)
Women’s SUP Technical Race – Angela Jackson (AUS)
Team Relay – Australia
Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Lincoln Dews (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Men’s SUP Long Distance Race – Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Women’s SUP Long Distance Race – Angela Jackson (AUS)
Men’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Brad Gaul (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
2012 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalists:
Overall Team Champion – Australia
Men’s SUP Surfing – Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Women’s SUP Surfing – Emmy Merrill (USA)
Men’s SUP Technical Race – Travis Grant (AUS)
Women’s SUP Technical Race – Brandi Baksic (USA)
Team Relay – Australia
Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Brad Gaul (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Men’s SUP Long Distance Race – Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Women’s SUP Long Distance Race – Brandi Baksic (AUS)
Men’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Brad Gaul (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Credits: Original article from International Surfing Association – www.isasurf.org