Over 28 nationalities represented, €16,000 in prize money, a high level of athletic performance, and a strong commitment to sustainability and inclusion marked the third stop of the European SUP League.
ESL, May 20
This past weekend, Santa Pola became the international hub of Stand Up Paddle with the celebration of the World SUP Festival Costa Blanca, hosting the third scoring event of the European SUP League (ESL). The event gathered over 200 athletes in the official long-distance and technical races, with competitors from 28 countries across all five continents, consolidating the event as one of the most important and comprehensive on the European calendar.
The competition kicked off on Saturday, May 17, with the long-distance race, a demanding course that took athletes from Tabarca Island to Levante Beach, on a day marked by technical conditions and a high level of participation. Young Japanese paddler Shuri Araki was the standout of the day, delivering a flawless performance and taking the win ahead of Spain’s Aarón Sánchez and France’s Arthur Arutkin. In the women’s category, Spain’s Esperanza Barreras triumphed once again in Santa Pola after a fierce battle with Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera, who came in second, and Alba Frey, who completed the podium.
Sunday, May 18, was the day for the technical races, held in a format that was highly engaging for spectators and delivered thrilling moments of action and excitement on Levante Beach. Once again, Shuri Araki dominated clearly, followed by Aarón Sánchez, Christian Andersen, Blue Ewer, and Sergio Cantoral. In the women’s field, the victory went to Mariecarmen Rivera, ahead of Alba Frey, Duna Gordillo, Esperanza Barreras, and Sveva Sabato.
A total of €16,000 in prizes was awarded, distributed equally between men and women, reaffirming the league’s commitment to gender equality and the professionalization of SUP in Europe.
The event was part of the Parres Water Sports Festival, which offered three full days of activities, combining elite competition with recreational and family-friendly experiences. The program included free SUP lessons, inclusive SUP, Dragon Boat races, children’s workshops, dance performances, live music, and a lively maritime fair with local vendors.
Sustainability was another key pillar of this edition. More than 46 actions aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were implemented, including the use of electric boats, medals and shirts made from recycled materials, and free water stations to reduce plastic use.
The event was organized by the Parres Sports Club, under the leadership of Daniel Parres, and had institutional support from the Alicante Provincial Council, the Valencian Regional Government, the Santa Pola City Council, Alicante City & Beach, the Spanish Surfing Federation (FESURF), the European Surfing Federation (ESF), EuroTour, and the European SUP League itself.
Main sponsors included Convotis, Bloomreach, Energy Sistem, NSP Surf, Alavés Innovation, Mercalicante, and Juve & Camps, among others.
With this third stop, the European SUP League enters its decisive phase, with the top-ranked athletes already emerging as strong contenders in the race for the continental title.
About the ESL
The European SUP League (ESL) is the official Stand Up Paddle circuit promoted by the European Surfing Federation, in collaboration with national federations and top organizers across the continent. Founded in 2025, the ESL aims to professionalize, unify, and raise the visibility of SUP in Europe, providing athletes with a solid, accessible, and internationally oriented competitive structure. The league is grounded in values such as sustainability, inclusion, and promoting participation at all levels, establishing itself as a growth platform for SUP from grassroots to elite level.
More information: www.europeansupleague.com
Social media: @european_sup_league
