ISA World Standup Paddle and Paddleboard Championship

ISA World SUP Championship NicaraguaThe ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championship is an annual event organised by the International Surfing Association (ISA), in which paddlers compete in national teams for both individual and country medals.

The first ever ISA Worlds were hosted in Peru in 2012 and won by the mighty Team Australia (who went on to win the 2013 event, also hosted in Peru). The ISA Worlds combine SUP races (both short and long distance) with SUP surfing and prone paddleboarding events.

The 3rd annual ISA SUP World Championship will take place from May 3rd – 11th 2014 in Nicaragua and SUPracer.com will have complete coverage of the entire event, including live webcast.

In the meantime you can get the latest news about the event below…

SUPAA And The ISA Are Working Together “For The Betterment Of The Sport”

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

2014 ISA Worlds Nicaragua Final Day (19)Saw an interesting press release today from the SUP Athletes Association (SUPAA), which describes their recent collaboration with the International Surfing Association (ISA).

Long story short: SUPAA and its President Chase Kosterlitz have been working with the ISA over the past couple of months to get its World Championship event running at a higher standard. After a couple of meetings in San Diego earlier in the year, the ISA liked what they saw from SUPAA and invited the group to Nicaragua to help ensure a well run World Championship event.

It’s not like the ISA Worlds were lacking for experience before this: Barrett Tester (same guy who runs the Battle of the Paddle) has been the race director for all three annual editions, while the event has the largest budget of any SUP race in the world fueling it. However this is an event with big ambitions (being a “World Championship”) that’s working toward an even bigger goal (getting into the Olympics), so the ISA is gonna need all the help they can get.   → READ MORE

#comebackshak: Why Shakira Westdorp Was The #1 Athlete At The Worlds (And How She’d Be A Contender At The BOP)

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

2014 ISA Worlds Nicaragua Final Day (6)Australia’s Shakira Westdorp was the best all-round athlete at the ISA Worlds in Nicaragua. No question. An amazing performance, where she scored four medals across both surfing and racing, showed just how strong this humble paddler is and what could be in store if Shak ever wanted to take racing seriously.

After reaching the final of her preferred SUP surfing, the Aussie defied expectations to claim silver in the distance and then go one better in both the short course and team relay. As Shak said in her own words: “I came here to win the surfing but ended up winning the race… Can’t believe it!”

So now how about the Battle of the Paddle?   → READ MORE

ISA Worlds Day 8: Shakira Westdorp Wins Hard Fought Gold, Casper Steinfath Channels His Inner Viking While Team Australia Make It A Three-Peat

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

ISA World SUP Championship - Team Australia
And that’s a wrap.

The 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship has officially come to a close. Congratulations to Team Australia for making it three in a row, though everybody who competed this week deserves a round of applause. Massive event and a lot of fun here in Nicaragua.

As exciting as it was to watch the powerhouse nations put on a show, it was just as good to witness how many emerging paddleboard nations there are. Over 200 athletes from 27 nations came to Nicaragua, and as ISA President Fernando Aguerre point out after the event, this is quickly becoming the ISA’s biggest event in terms of countries competing. It’s a very good sign for the future of the sport.

Thank you for the hospitality Nicaragua. See you somewhere next year… But in the meantime here’s a full recap, results and pics of the final day, plus my takeaways from the event in general.   → READ MORE

ISA Worlds Day 7: Titouan Puyo Breaks An All Star Field To Win The Distance Gold. What An Epic Race…

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

ISA Worlds Men's Distance (12 a)Holy shit… what a race.

Day 7 saw the men’s distance event here at the 2014 ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championship. After the women’s race gave us a glimpse of this unique and exotic course, I had the feeling we could be in for a classic showdown today. And the guys certainly didn’t disappoint…

With a deep field of talent lining up at 9am for the 18km grind around Lake Nicaragua, and with the wind blowing strong enough to become a major factor, conditions were set for an intense battle. Click through for a full recap, results and pics of the action…   → READ MORE

ISA Worlds Day 6: Long, Hot Day For The Women’s Distance Race, With Lina Augaitis And Jordan Mercer Claiming Gold

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Shakira Westdorp and Lina AugaitisWell that was a tough race…

Friday, day six, saw the women’s distance event here at the 2014 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship. Both the SUP and prone women hit the water at 9am to begin the 18km trek around the ‘Isletas de Granada’ to the finish line. It was always going to be tough but the conditions were particularly brutal today. Even in the early morning, the sun was blazing hot and the wind was blowing strong across Lake Nicaragua, which produced a stiff headwind for the first few kilometres.

I was fortunate to be sitting on the lead camera boat, which gave me a privileged insight into a race that was held on a distant, exotic and very unique course. So click through for a full race recap, results and pics and then tune in tomorrow morning for the men’s distance race.   → READ MORE

ISA Worlds: Recap From The Opening Day Of Racing (Not What We Expected…)

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

ISA World SUP Championship Nicaragua (14)Day five of the 2014 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship was meant to be a slow day. The qualifying heats for the SUP course race, prone course race and team relays were on the schedule, with the favourites expected to cruise around the course and do just enough to qualify while saving their energy for the big final. But somebody forgot to tell that to the favourites…

Despite the generous cut-off point meaning all the big names were always going to safely qualify for Sunday’s final, both of the men’s SUP course race qualifying heats were run at a very solid pace. That was particularly the case in heat #1, which was stacked with talent and that saw some interesting tactics as the paddlers tested each other out. It looked like there were a few mind games going on, with a bit of pride and ego forcing the competitors to throw out their “play it safe and conserve” strategy and go for broke on the final lap.

It wasn’t what we expected to see but certainly made for an entertaining day at the Lake.   → READ MORE

ISA World Champs: Racing Starts Tomorrow, Here’s The Schedule, Heat Draw, Course Maps + Current Team Standings

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Stand Up Paddle championship NicaraguaAfter the SUP surfing contest wrapped up yesterday and with the three favourites – Australia, France and the USA – holding almost identical points atop the overall team standings leaderboard, it’s time to get down to the business end of the 2014 ISA Worlds. The racing.

Over the next four days we’ll see the course race, distance race and team relays in the host city of Granada on Lake Nicaragua. The action starts tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 9am with the course race qualifying heats. We’ll have the whole thing webcast live her eon SUPracer.com, so check out the schedule to see when it’s all going down…   → READ MORE

#ISAWORLDS PREDICTIONS: Who Will Win Gold And Glory In Nicaragua?

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

2014 ISA World SUP Championship
After a very colourful start, the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship is off and running. We’ve got over 200 athletes from 27 nations assembled here in Nicaragua in a true celebration of the sport. It really is a special event that brings together paddlers from all corners of the globe…

But enough with the formalities: Who’s gonna win?!

Which paddlers will claim the gold, silver, bronze and copper medals (yes, the ISA goes four-deep with their medals) that are up for grabs this week? Which nation will take home the prestigious Team Trophy? It’s time to have some fun and predict who’s going to win the 2014 ISA Worlds in another installment of Boss Man’s Bold Predictions.   → READ MORE

With Plenty Of Colour And Flair, The 2014 ISA Worlds Officially Opens In Nicaragua

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

ISA World SUP Championship Opening CeremonyWell that was colourful.

Today saw the opening ceremony of the 2014 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (we’re just gonna go with “ISA Worlds” from here on…) in the quaint, colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua.

Flanked by dancing girls and masked drummers, the 220 odd athletes from 27 nations walked through town as the “Parade of Nations” marked the official start of the event.

I’m not entirely sure what I just watched, but I think I like it…   → READ MORE

Who’s Racing In Nicaragua? ISA World Championship Team Sheets Revealed

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

ISA World Champs - Team AustraliaSo the ISA Worlds in Nicaragua kicks off tomorrow, when 25 nations will wander through the streets of Granada in the “Parade of Nations” – the colourful opening ceremony that’s a unique feature of ISA events. On Sunday May 4th we start three days of SUP surfing, before a lay day on Wednesday is followed by four straight days of SUP and prone racing. From Thursday the 8th through to Sunday 11th of May, we’ll see the distance and course race medals up for grabs.

But who actually made it to Nicaragua for this event? I’ve been getting this question non-stop the past few months (“Who’s going to Nicaragua?” “Is so and so gonna be there?” “Why isn’t such and such racing?” “Who’s gonna win?!”) but it’s been a tough question to answer. Nobody really knew until this week. However now that we’re on the eve of the event things are a little clearer and the contenders are starting to shape up.   → READ MORE

Welcome To Nicaragua

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

La Boquita NicaraguaSo we’re in Nicaragua for the ISA Worlds. We flew down straight from Carolina, as did a whole bunch of guys and girls. The event doesn’t officially start til Saturday so we got a place on the coast for a few days. Fun little waves yesterday. Found a kid on the beach who let me ride his mule. When in Rome…

The opening ceremony is Saturday, surfing runs Sunday-Tuesday and racing from Thursday to Sunday. The festivities and racing all take place at the city of Granada on Lake Nicaragua, while the surfing is happening out in the tiny, tiny little village of La Boquita.    → READ MORE

The Long Road To Nicaragua Continues: Official Trailer, Website Get Released

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

ISA World SUP Championship NicaraguaWhile all the excitement over the next 10 days will inevitably center around Carolina, the big ISA event is only just around the corner as well. The Carolina Cup main event is on Saturday 26th April, but then just seven days later we’ll be in Granada, Nicaragua for the opening ceremony of the 2014 Worlds.

The 2014 ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Padddleboard Championship (bit of a mouthful… let’s just go with “ISA Worlds” shall we?) runs May 3rd to 11th, with the first few days reserved for SUP surfing over on the west coast, before the second half of the event is all SUP racing (and prone racing) back on Lake Nicaragua.

And Team SUPracer.com will be there to bring you all the action as well as insights into what’s happening behind the scenes. In the meantime though, here’s the official trailer…   → READ MORE

The ISA (And Casper Steinfath) Pitch SUP To The Olympic Movement In Turkey

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

International Surfing Association ISA SportAccord Stand Up PaddlingRemember how we mentioned that the ISA was off to Turkey, Casper Steinfath in tow, to promote SUP to the Olympic world at some big sports conference? Well that happened yesterday.

Along with International Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre, Casper showed the gathered Olympic dignitaries what stand up paddling actually is with a brief but enthusiastic demonstration during the SportAccord convention. Granted it was held in a luxury hotel pool, which is a long way from the Ka’iwi Channel or the beach at Dana Point, but I’m sure the novelty value alone would have made everyone in attendance stop and take notice. And no doubt that was the main point of the whole exercise: Spread some basic awareness to those in power.   → READ MORE

Team USA Turns To Crowdfunding To Put Its Paddlers On The Plane To Nicaragua

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

USA SUP TeamIn a sign of the times, Team USA has turned to crowdfunding to help pay its way to the ISA Worlds in Nicaragua. The 2014 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Champs are happening from May 3rd – 11th in Nicarauga and the U.S. squad is looking to raise $10,000 to help get its paddlers on the plane.

The Team, which is organised by Surfing America and features the likes of Slater Trout, Chuck Glynn and Shae Foudy, were the silver medalists at ISA 2012, before they fell off the radar in 2013 due to a lack of funding. The $10,000 fundraising goal will pay for airfares (and board freight) for the entire squad, however that’s only part of the deal. The team actually needs $35k all up (accommodation, transport, food, etc), so throw in a couple dollars extra if you’re feeling generous.

So if you wanna help get Team USA to the Worlds (and give the Aussies some competition in their quest for a three-peat), then head on over to the Indiegogo campaign and donate. There’s even some cool schwag – from hoodies to private training clinics – on offer for financial backers. Or you can just feel good knowing that, if one of the Americans wins gold, you helped get Star Spangled Banner played at an international paddleboard event.   → READ MORE

With Casper Steinfath As Ambassador, The ISA Continues Push For Olympic SUP At Major Sporting Conference

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Jamie Mitchell wins Gold ahead of Casper SteinfathRemember that big article we posted last week about Stand Up Paddling in the Olympics? And about how the International Surfing Association (ISA) was doing a lot of work behind the scenes to push for surfing and SUP racing to be in the Games one day?

Well, here’s a specific example… Early next month, reigning ISA Gold Medalist and modern-day viking, Casper Steinfath, will join ISA President Fernando Aguerre in Turkey, where they’ll be pushing the cause of surfing and SUP racing to the head honchos of the Olympic movement at the big SportAccord conference.

But what exactly is SportAccord? And why should fans of SUP racing even care?    → READ MORE

Meet The Man Who Wants To Make SUP An Olympic Sport (And Then Ask Him A Question…)

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Olympic Stand Up Paddling
How long have you been working to get surfing in the Olympics?

“Well… my whole life actually.”

And with that comment Fernando Aguerre, the International Surfing Association (ISA)’s charismatic President and promoter-in-chief, recounts the full story of his childhood in Argentina and the early influence of surfing on he and his brother.

At age 11, after five years of bodyboarding on plywood bellyboards, the Aguerre boys discovered and were able to try one of the very first surfboards in Argentina. It was ugly, heavy and didn’t have a particularly good shape, but they convinced their dad to allow them to sell one of their bicycles so they could buy the board. They were instantly hooked.   → READ MORE

ISA World Champs Nicaragua: Full Schedule Released (Downwinder!)

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Lake Nicaragua volcanoThe complete schedule for the 2014 ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championship in Nicaragua has just been released. The third annual edition of this event will stretch across nine days and two locations, with a total of eleven SUP surfing, SUP racing, prone paddleboarding and team relay Gold medals up for grabs.

The official event location is the city of Granada, situated on Lake Nicaragua. That’ll be where the SUP racing (and prone racing) takes place in the second half of the week. Meanwhile the surfing is going to happen an hour or two away in the small fishing village of La Boquita.   → READ MORE