ICF SUP Committee activities Q4 2025

ICF SUP World Championships – Abu Dhabi 

The 2025 World Championships were held in Abu Dhabi from October 29 to November 2 - first time the United Arab Emirates and more broadly the Middle East hosted a major ICF SUP event. The event drew over 460 paddlers from 54 nations, marking a significant milestone for global SUP participation. The event crowned the season with a strong finale to the five-stop ICF SUP World Ranking Series and showcased the Middle East as a dynamic new host for top-level events. 

First-ever ICF SUP Level 1 Coaching Course 

Just before the World Championships, the ICF ran their first-ever SUP Level 1 Coaching Course in Abu Dhabi. A total of 36 coaches from around the world participated and all passed the exam. The course was led by András Szabó, a lecturer from the Hungarian University of Sport Sciences, using a new international coaching curriculum. Topics covered included paddling and stroke technique, balance and stability, safety, risk management, injury prevention, basically the full set of skills needed for safe and effective SUP coaching. The success of this pilot course sets a new benchmark for coach education under the ICF’s SUP Committee – and paves the way for further levels (level 2, level 3) as demand grows. 

Asian SUP Championships – Hong Kong 

The Asian Canoe Confederation organized the first continental SUP Championships, held in Hong Kong from November 20 to 22. The competition featured sprint, technical and long-distance events. The competition signals growing strength and organization of SUP in Asia, giving paddlers in the region a continental-level platform beyond global events. 

SUP ITO Seminar 

Just before the Asian Championships, the ICF held a SUP ITO Seminar in Hong Kong led by Noémi Horváth, Chair of the ICF SUP Committee. A total of 30 participants from Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and the Philippines successfully received their ITO diplomas. Many of these new ITOs already had experience in other ICF disciplines, such as Canoe Ocean Racing and Dragon Boat, which helps with cross-discipline officiating standards. The ITO seminar was the third such event in Asia following editions in 2023 in Thailand, and 2024 in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the ICF’s commitment to building a robust officiating and governance structure for SUP in Asia. 

Reflection on 2025 

The ICF Stand Up Paddling Committee made significant strides in 2025, marked by active planning, global events, and growth initiatives. Preparation for the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi dominated the committee's focus, with bi-weekly meetings with the Host Organising Committee ensuring smooth logistical and promotional coordination. The year kicked off with strategic discussions, including the introduction of a one-design category for juniors to improve fairness in competition, and participation at the ICF Paddle Summit in China emphasized inclusivity and sustainability. The five World Ranking races across Europe contributed to athlete development, while the committee also explored future event opportunities in Asia and America.  

The 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi marked a historic milestone as the first major ICF event in the Middle East, highlighting the ICF’s drive to expand the sport globally. The launch of the first global coaching course provided a structured pathway for coaches, enhancing standardization and safety in training worldwide. The successful Asian Championships and ITO seminar underscored the ICF’s focus on fostering growth globally, with an emphasis on developing talent, grassroots participation, and infrastructure. Collectively, these initiatives reflect the ICF SUP Committee's strategic efforts to professionalize the sport, improve coaching and officiating, and build regional hubs for SUP all over the world.

By Noemi Horvath, Chair of the ICF SUP Committee