Come for the racing, stay for the party!
SARASOTA, Florida. (August 10, 2023) – Stand Up Paddling athletes from around the world will be coming to Sarasota, Florida to race for world titles. This highly anticipated event, to be hosted by Nathan Benderson Park, promises to thrill spectators new to the event and dedicated SUP athletes alike.
Participating athletes have the chance to compete with hard board or inflatables (up to 14’) in the events. As one of the fastest growing sports on the planet, the addition of the recreational race adds a refreshing level of inclusivity to the competitive side of the sport. Paddlers competing in the recreational race can choose to use inflatable boards in contrast to the hard boards that are required by athletes competing in the 10K distance, 200m sprint, and the 800m technical races.
“This event is a unique opportunity for recreational paddlers to compete in an international competition,” says Beth Spilman, Executive Director of the American Canoe Association. “We encourage anyone who is curious about SUP racing to come out. Racing or spectating, this is an event that you won’t want to miss!”
Don’t miss out on your chance to race with the best SUP athletes in the world! As if you needed another reason to compete, a total prize purse of $10,000 will be awarded for the ICF distance, sprint, and technical open events.
Those who are excited about this event but are not interested in competing should know that attendance is free of charge for spectators! Nathan Benderson Park, in addition to being a beautiful venue within 15-minutes of award-winning beaches, is a wonderful host who consistently pulls together professional and flawlessly executed events.
For more information about the event and to register, please visit: https://paddleguru.com/races/ICFSUPWorldCupSarasotaFL
###
About Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy
Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy’s vision of Nathan Benderson Park is to serve as a global, innovative, and premier destination that welcomes and connects people, while fostering a healthy, sustainable and safe environment. NBPC is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to manage and promote Nathan Benderson Park as a world-class recreational destination, enhancing the quality of life for our community and generating economic impact for our region. Sarasota County has entrusted the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy with the complete day-to-day care of this 600-acre community asset. As the stewards of the Park, the Conservancy tends to the complex maintenance, visitor services, event management, outreach programs and so much more. For more, please visit: https://nathanbendersonpark.org/
About the American Canoe Association
The American Canoe Association (ACA) was founded in 1880 and is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the National Governing Body for Canoe/Kayak as well as serving the broader paddling public by providing educational programs, supporting stewardship initiatives that affect paddlers, and offering competition opportunities to athletes of all abilities. The ACA has over 15,000 members and 300 paddling clubs and affiliated organizations. The ACA provides insurance to hundreds of events and races every year. The ACA education program has an estimated reach of over 800,000 people per year. ACA members reside in all 50 states and over 35 countries worldwide. For more, visit americancanoe.org
About Visit Sarasota County
Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is the official tourism marketing entity and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry. It is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program of the Destination Management Association International (DMAI). VSC meets the highest standards of professionalism, leadership, fiscal management, and ethical principles. Visit www.visitsarasota.com for more information.
Photo courtesy of Nour Refaat (SUP Athlete)