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Paddleboarding has gained immense popularity over the years, becoming a favorite water sport for many enthusiasts.

Various prestigious tournaments showcase the best paddleboarding talent from around the world.

Here is an overview of the 20 most important paddleboarding tournaments.

Most Important Paddleboarding Tournaments:

  1. World Championships of Paddleboarding
  2. Battle of the Paddle
  3. Chattajack
  4. Carolina Cup
  5. Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge
  6. Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race
  7. ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship
  8. Ho’olaule’a – Olukai
  9. Zane Schweitzer’s Master of the Ocean
  10. Payette River Games
  11. Gorge Downwind Championships
  12. ChattaSUP Race Series
  13. Pacific Paddle Games
  14. Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival
  15. Australian SUP Titles
  16. Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series
  17. Lost Mills International SUP Race
  18. Paris SUP Open
  19. EuroTour Stand Up Paddle
  20. ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship

#1 World Championships of Paddleboarding

  • 📍 Location: Varies globally
  • 📅 Established: 1954
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: International national teams

The World Championships of Paddleboarding is the premier event in the sport, attracting the best competitors globally. It has a rich history, dating back to the 1950s and has seen great champions like Laird Hamilton and Annabel Anderson.

Governed by the ISA, this prestigious event features various race categories and fosters a strong sense of community across the paddleboarding world.

#2 Battle of the Paddle

  • 📍 Location: Dana Point, California, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2008
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

Battle of the Paddle, held in California, is an iconic event in the world of sup racing. Since its inception in 2008, it has grown to become a famous meeting point for professional and amateur racers alike.

Known for its challenging races, vibrant atmosphere, and various skill-based, open races, Battle of the Paddle has played a vital role in the popularity and commercialization of paddleboarding.

#3 Chattajack

  • 📍 Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

Chattajack is a grueling 31-mile race held in Tennessee, regarded as one of the most challenging paddleboarding events.

Since 2012, the race has drawn a dedicated community of paddlers seeking to test their limits across the scenic Tennessee River Gorge. Chattajack has become an endurance milestone on the global paddleboarding stage, attracting racers from around the world.

#4 Carolina Cup

  • 📍 Location: Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2011
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Carolina Cup, a week-long SUP racing event, showcases various races and clinics, making it one of the most inclusive and welcoming events for paddleboarders of all levels.

The event includes the challenging Graveyard Elite Race, which is a 13-mile race that has seen past champions such as Danny Ching, Annabel Anderson, and Connor Baxter.

#5 Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge

  • 📍 Location: Hood River, Oregon, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2011
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge, held in the scenic Columbia River Gorge, is a prominent SUP event in North America.

Known for its downwind racing, challenging conditions, and welcoming atmosphere, the race has attracted elite paddlers like Kai Lenny, Fiona Wylde, and Connor Baxter. The event offers various race formats, appealing to both professionals and amateurs.

#6 Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race

  • 📍 Location: Hawaii, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1997
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors and teams

The Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, often called the “Channel of Bones,” is a prestigious 32-mile race from Molokai to Oahu in Hawaii. The race is both a physical and mental challenge, as competitors traverse rough ocean waters.

Legendary champions, including Jamie Mitchell, who won ten times in a row, have competed in this event, which has become an essential race in the global paddleboarding arena.

#7 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship

  • 📍 Location: Varies internationally
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: National teams

The ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship is an annual event that showcases the international paddleboarding community’s diversity and skill. The championship spans multiple disciplines, including SUP surfing, technical SUP racing, and long-distance racing.

Hosted by the International Surfing Association (ISA), the event has played a pivotal role in fostering a global community and creating unforgettable moments, like the thrilling 2017 SUP Surfing Final, which was won by Brazil’s Luiz Diniz.

#8 Ho’olaule’a – Olukai

  • 📍 Location: Maui, Hawaii, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2008
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

Ho’olaule’a – Olukai is a celebrated downwind paddleboarding race held in Maui, Hawaii. The event has built a strong reputation for its Aloha spirit, fostering camaraderie, and promoting Hawaii’s cultural heritage.

Competitors from around the world gather to participate in an exciting 8-mile Maliko downwind run in both the SUP and OC1 divisions, creating unforgettable experiences for the paddleboarding community.

#9 Zane Schweitzer’s Master of the Ocean

  • 📍 Location: Cabarete, Dominican Republic
  • 📅 Established: 2003
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

Zane Schweitzer’s Master of the Ocean is a unique event that showcases athletes’ versatility across four water sports: SUP, surfing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding.

Held in the beautiful location of Cabarete, Dominican Republic, the event has quickly made a name for itself in the water sports world, attracting top talents like Connor Baxter, Fiona Wylde, and Zane Schweitzer himself.

#10 Payette River Games

  • 📍 Location: Cascade, Idaho, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Discontinued after 2015
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Payette River Games, held in Cascade, Idaho, was a renowned paddleboarding event that combined SUP racing with a variety of river-based activities.

From 2012 to 2015, the event featured unique challenges, such as the SUP cross, giant slalom, and multiple river races. The Payette River Games played a crucial role in promoting river SUP racing and showcasing the sport’s versatility.

#11 Gorge Downwind Championships

  • 📍 Location: Hood River, Oregon, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2015
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Gorge Downwind Championships, held in Hood River, Oregon, is an intense downwind race for SUP, surfski, and outrigger canoe paddlers.

Since its establishment in 2015, this race has attracted various paddlecraft enthusiasts looking to outrun the competition in the Columbia River Gorge’s challenging and exciting downwind conditions. The week-long event also hosts clinics, demos, and community-building activities.

#12 ChattaSUP Race Series

  • 📍 Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2018
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The ChattaSUP Race Series is a community-driven event held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, aiming to provide opportunities for paddleboarders of all skill levels.

From its first race in 2018, ChattaSUP has offered a variety of race formats, including short sprint races, longer endurance events, and relay races.The event has succeeded in promoting regional paddleboarding and fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship among enthusiasts.

#13 Pacific Paddle Games

  • 📍 Location: Dana Point, California, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2015
  • 🔄 Held: Annually, discontinued in 2019
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Pacific Paddle Games was a prestigious annual event taking place in Dana Point, California, with a diverse range of racing styles for SUP enthusiasts.

From 2015 to 2019, the event attracted top paddlers globally and featured various race formats, such as surf racing, sprints, and the fan-favorite Pro/Open Technical race. The Pacific Paddle Games played a critical role in furthering SUP racing, leaving a lasting impact on the international community.

#14 Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival

  • 📍 Location: Santa Monica, California, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2010
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival combines SUP racing with a celebration of California’s ocean culture. Since 2010, the event has featured various course distances for all ages and skill levels, while also promoting environmental awareness and ocean protection initiatives.

The festival showcases live music, beach games, and an exhibition on iconic surfing and paddleboarding history.

#15 Australian SUP Titles

  • 📍 Location: Australia
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Australian SUP Titles is the country’s premier stand-up paddleboarding competition, serving as an ultimate showcase of national talent.

Since its establishment in 2012, the tournament has featured various disciplines like SUP surfing, technical SUP racing, and marathon racing. Champions from each state qualify to represent their state, adding a sense of pride and fierce competition to the event’s atmosphere.

#16 Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series

  • 📍 Location: Lake Tahoe, California, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2009
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Tahoe Cup Paddle Racing Series, held on the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, is a trio of races that draw paddlers from across the United States.

Attracting pros and amateurs alike, the series has featured top competitors like Candice Appleby and Danny Ching. Showcasing the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe, the event focuses on camaraderie, competition, and environmental stewardship.

#17 Lost Mills International SUP Race

  • 📍 Location: Bavaria, Germany
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

Lost Mills International SUP Race, held in beautiful Bavaria, Germany, is one of Europe’s most prestigious paddleboarding events.

Since 2012, the race has gathered elite paddlers from around the world to compete in thrilling, long-distance races. Lost Mills has been instrumental in promoting the sport within Europe, fostering international connections and unforgettable paddleboarding moments.

#18 Paris SUP Open

  • 📍 Location: Paris, France
  • 📅 Established: 2011
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The Paris SUP Open, a renowned race through the heart of the iconic city, is a visually stunning and unique event in the paddleboarding world.

Run as part of the APP World Tour, it unites professional SUP racers and recreational paddlers, traversing beneath historic bridges and past landmark sights. This captivating event showcases the versatility and global reach of the sport.

#19 EuroTour Stand Up Paddle

  • 📍 Location: Varies across Europe
  • 📅 Established: 2015
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Individual competitors

The EuroTour Stand Up Paddle is an annual race series that brings together the European paddleboarding community.

Established in 2015, the tour features multiple race stops across Europe, from scenic Mediterranean coastlines to picturesque Northern waterways. Often hosting events alongside local festivals, the EuroTour has enhanced the popularity and visibility of SUP racing in Europe.

#20 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship

  • 📍 Location: Varies internationally
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: National teams

The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship, organized by the International Surfing Association, is a pivotal event in the global paddleboarding community.

Showcasing an array of disciplines, like SUP racing, paddleboarding, and SUP surfing, the championship fosters international camaraderie and highlights the sport’s top talents. The introduction of the team relay has added another thrilling element, making this event a must-see for fans everywhere.

FAQ

What is the most important paddleboarding tournament?

The World Championships of Paddleboarding is considered the most important paddleboarding tournament due to its global scope and history.

What is the oldest paddleboarding tournament?

Established in 1954, the World Championships of Paddleboarding is the oldest existing paddleboarding tournament.

What is the hardest paddleboarding tournament to win?

The Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, commonly known as the “Channel of Bones,” is considered the hardest paddleboarding event because of the physical and mental challenge of crossing 32 miles of rough ocean waters.

Max is a sports enthusiast who loves all kinds of ball and water sports. He founded & runs stand-up-paddling.org (#1 German Paddleboarding Blog), played competitive Badminton and Mini Golf (competed on national level in Germany), started learning ‘real’ Golf and dabbled in dozens of other sports & activities.

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