SUP Worlds Set For Fiji

FOAMBALLS: Top SUP wave riders are next level. Next stop Cloudbreak. Pic Fiji Tourism

Former national SUP team member Greg Bertish, who travelled with SA to the first World Champs in 2012 in the 'old days' of Standup Paddleboarding, said he was excited for the team after the announcement by the ISA last night.

The ISA has set the fifth ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship for November 5 to 13, also saying that Cloudbreak and other barrelling breaks in Fiji would host the wave riding component of the event, which includes open ocean racing.

"It's unbelievable," said Bertish, who is out of the loop of the competitive and streamlined SUP world these days, also being a bit too old and distracted by saving disadvantaged and sick children and other philanthropic pursuits (see www.thelittleoptimist.org and www.all-heart.org).

"The event in Fiji will be very expensive for us, BUT, also very good because our young guys have been tackling some proper Cape slabs, and our standard should cope. However, some of the smaller nations, especially some European teams, might struggle in heavy, barrelling waves like that."

OPEN SEASON: Racing from last year's worlds in Mexico. Photo: ISA / Ben Reed

The fastest growing outdoor activity (according to the Outdoor Industry Association) is booming. It's been voted into the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru; the 2017 World Beach Games in San Diego, USA; and forms part of the ISA application for the next Olympics. Tokyo 2020 has apparently recommended only surfing, but the ISA has targeted SUP inclusion in the 2024 Olympic Games.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre has been single-minded in a determined bid to take over the world. The ISA now governs 98 member countries. Participation at the SUP worlds has pretty much doubled from its inception in 2012 to 2015. Last year, 27 teams and 260 athletes took part, while in 2012, 17 nations and 105 athletes took part.

The last four events took place in Peru (2012, 2013), Nicaragua (2014) and Mexico (2015), which was won by Team USA, breaking Australia’s three-year reign.

The South African team has not been announced. Fortunately, we have a host of talented athletes to choose from over an organised national series, says Bertish.

However, with the rand falling, and Fiji one of the most expensive countries in the world, sponsorship is key. Go over to http://www.supsa.org.za/ and support.