Published by US Higher Sports | News | July 2026
The 2026 World SUP Festival confirmed once again why Santa Pola, Spain, is the heartbeat of competitive Stand Up Paddleboarding in Europe. Held April 23–26 along Playa del Varadero — opposite Tabarca Island, Spain's first Marine Reserve — this year's edition drew more than 200 elite athletes from 22 countries across 6 continents, generating over €2,000,000 in local economic impact.
Racing Under Extreme Conditions
The festival opened under challenging skies: wind gusts of nearly 40 knots swept Santa Pola on Thursday, delaying setup and testing every team on the water. Organizers delivered the full competition schedule regardless — coordinating safety crews, Red Cross support, and GPS athlete tracking throughout.
Japanese paddler Shuri "Shrimpy" Araki was the story of the week, claiming victory in the Long Distance, Technical Race, and SUP Foil disciplines. In the 15-kilometre Long Distance around Tabarca Island — the festival's signature event — he finished in 1:23:20, over a minute clear of the field. On the women's side, Esperanza Barreras (ESP) edged out Alba Frey (ESP) by just five seconds in one of the closest finishes the event has produced. Frey reversed the result in the Technical Finals.
Beyond the elite races, the World SUP Festival served its broader mission: free beginner SUP classes, adaptive paddle sessions, children's workshops, SUP yoga, and the Parade of Nations made the event a true community celebration. As the inaugural venue of the European SUP League, Santa Pola is now firmly established as the season-opening hub of professional paddle sports in Europe.
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