Once you start Stand Up Paddling, you won’t want to stop. That’s the view of Madhad Almheiri who has caught SUP fever which is spreading across the United Arab Emirates and beyond.
SUP is growing in the country and across the Middle East as more and more people pick up a paddle and board and get on the water.
History is being made this week as the UAE stages the International Canoe Federation SUP World Championships for the first time with Abu Dhabi playing host from October 29 to November 2.
It is also the first time that UAE has been represented at the World Championships, with eight paddlers competing for the nation in Abu Dhabi.
Click here for live startlists and results from Abu Dhabi
Almheiri and Edgar Pampols are among those making history this week and are proud to represent the UAE.
“This is an opportunity that we never thought would happen but in this city and country we have quickly learnt that anything is possible so it’s a blessing to have a World Championship here,” said Pampols.
“Recreationally, this sport is growing as fast or faster than it is at a global level.
“From high rise buildings around the city, it is very easy to see that happening.
“Inflatable SUP boards are more and more accessible as there are a lot of ways to enter the water here.
“We hope that SUP racing will be more visible especially after this event and we will grow the community.”
Almheiri, who was born in the UAE and lives in Dubai, is competing at the World Championships just one year after taking up the sport.
“First of all, it was just a hobby, but once you start paddling, you won’t want to stop,” said Almheiri.
“It’s great for your mental health and you train the whole body – your core, your back, your legs. It’s a fully body workout for me.
“In our country, we support all kinds of sports.
“Once they recognise the sport, they fully support it so there is a lot of potential.”
Pampols has witnessed the development of SUP since moving to the UAE from Spain in 2011.
He believes the staging of the World Championships will take the sport to another level across the region.
“I’m convinced that after this SUP World Championships the sport will take off even more,” said Pampols.
“I think this is not only important for the country but it’s the first time an event of this kind for SUP is happening in the entire region.
“We have a very important role in showing how possible it is here.
“We are leading by example.
“It’s been amazing and everyone is happy.
“We are getting very good feedback in all aspects so I think it’s the start of something bigger.”
Krisztian Bartfai, Technical Advisor for the Host Organising Committee, runs Paddlers Hub UAE, which is a strategic partner of the Emirates Canoe and Rafting Federation.
“This is a milestone event,” said Hungary’s Bartfai, a Canoe Sprint bronze medallist at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000.
“After this World Championships, we will hopefully organise more events in the future.
“We connect seasons and continents as we are in the middle of the world.
“We are optimistic about participation as we are growing exponentially.”
Full coverage of the ICF SUP World Championships from Friday to Sunday can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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