ICF Sports
Stand Up Paddling (SUP)
Stand Up Paddling
Stand Up Paddling (SUP) racing is an exhilarating water sport where participants stand on a paddle board and race against each other across various bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, or oceans. The sport combines elements of surfing and canoeing, requiring balance, strength, and endurance. Competitive SUP racing has gained popularity worldwide, with organized events and competitions held in various locations. It requires not only physical fitness but also strategy and skill in reading the water and adjusting paddle strokes to maximize efficiency and speed.
In Stand Up Paddling (SUP) races, athletes use a long paddle to propel themselves through the water while standing upright on the board. The boards used in racing are typically longer and narrower than those used for recreational paddle boarding, which helps to increase speed and maneuverability.
Stand Up Paddling races can vary in length and format. Currently, the most popular race formats are comprised of Sprints (up to 250m, in a straight line with separate lanes for each racer, usually in flat water), Technical (between 800m and 5km, a combination of straight lines and multiple buoy turns), and Long Distance (between 5km and 35km , a combination of straight lines and buoy turns). In addition, each race may also involve heats with best / fastest moving forward into the next round.
Currently the International Canoe Federation (ICF) is the umbrella organization of all national canoe (canoeing, kayaking) organizations worldwide. The International Canoe Federation (ICF) serves as the global authority for paddling sports, overseeing 10 disciplines worldwide, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ICF promotes the sport of SUP with race events around the world with world cups and world championships.
Governance
Stand Up Paddling is governed by the SUP ( Competition Committee (SUPCC). Learn more about the SUPCC, see its current membership, view the sprint racing rules, and read meeting minutes
- SUP Racing Events
- Team Selection Procedures
- ACA SUP Racing Rules
2024 USA SUP National Championships – The USA National SUP Team will be chosen at the USA SUP National Championships at the Olukai Low Country Boil in Hilton Head, South Carolina during September 6 to 8, 2024.The American Canoe Association (ACA) is not a host or affiliated in any capacity with the Olukai Low Country Boil USA SUP event. The ACA SUP Competition Committee will rely on the results from this event for the selection of the USA National SUP Team. https://paddleguru.com/races/OluKaiLowcountryBoilPaddleBattle
2024 ICF World Championship – The USA National SUP Team will compete in the ICF (International Canoe Federation) World Championship in Sarasota, Florida during November 19 to 24, 2024. https://paddleguru.com/races/2024ICFSUPWORLDCHAMPIONSHIP
On ICF SUP World Championships – Current, past and future
2019: Qingdao, CHINA
2021: Balatonfured, HUNGARY
2022: Gdynia, POLAND
2023: Pattaya, THAILAND
2024: Sarasota, Florida, USA
2025: Abu Dhabi, UAE
2026: Sicily, ITALY
2027: Sarasota, Florida, USA
Each year the SUP Competition Committee will decide on the members of the USA National SUP Team based on the ranking points from a National Selection Event(s).
In 2024, the USA SUP Nationals at Olukai Low Country Boil during September 6-8, 2024 will be the National Selection Event. Once selected, the USA SUP National Team will earn points for our country in the Nations Cup at the open ICF SUP World Championships in Sarasota, FL. The American Canoe Association (ACA) is not a host or affiliated in any capacity with the Olukai Low Country Boil USA SUP event. The ACA SUP Competition Committee will rely on the results from this event for the selection of the USA National SUP Team.
The SUP Competition committee understands that there are situations that prevent an athlete from attending and competing in the National Selection Event. We have created a petition process for athletes if they cannot attend the National Selection Event. There is no guarantee, nor refund of application fee, that selection will be successful. The decision will be at the discretion of the ACA SUP Competition Committee when considering the submitted petition. You may submit the petition form by August 24, 2024 deadline if you want to be considered for the USA National SUP Team.
In each of the four (4) categories, four (4) athletes will be selected for Long Distance, and four (4) athletes in the Technical to represent the United States SUP National Team for the 2024 ICF World Championships. The top three of the nominated athletes will contribute points to the Nations Cup.
In case an athlete or multiple athletes cannot participate in the 2024 ICF World Championships, the ACA SUP Competition Committee retains the right to appoint appropriate athletes to represent the USA National SUP Team.
Use this link to access the USA National SUP Team Petition.
Athletes can qualify for the Open Men’s team, Open Women’s team, Junior Men’s team, or Junior Women’s team. Athletes can not compete in more than one category.
Junior – Athletes ages 15 -18 between the date of birth of and 1/1/2009 and 1/1/2006
Open – Athletes of any age
Technical Selection – The top 4 athletes for the 800m technical event at the USA SUP National Championships.
Distance Selection – The top 4 athletes for the 10km distance event at the USA SUP National Championships.
Sprint Selection – Currently sprint is not included in the ICF selection and sprint racing does not count for team points accrued. We are working with ICF to include sprint racing in the future, but for 2024 we will not include sprint as part of the USA National SUP Team selection process.
The ACA SUPCC has adopted the ICF SUP Rule Book.
