Surprised but not surprised:
Carolina Cup 2025 Canceled: A New Chapter for SUP in Wrightsville Beach
The Carolina Cup, one of the longest-standing and most iconic SUP races in the U.S., will not take place in 2025. The news was shared by professional SUP athlete Seychelle, who has been a longtime participant and champion of the event.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Seychelle reflected on the significance of the Wrightsville Beach race, which has been a staple in her career since her early years in SUP. However, she wasn’t surprised by the decision to cancel, noting that the event has been in decline for some time.
“The event has been declining for years. I think the race organizers have fallen out of love with the labor of running such a major event.”
Despite the disappointment of losing such a historic race, Seychelle also shared exciting news for paddlers who still want to train in Wrightsville Beach next spring. She and fellow elite coach Larry Cain will continue hosting their Spring Training Camp, Carolina Camp 2025, offering paddlers a unique opportunity to train, learn, and race in an exclusive mock event on April 26.
Seychelle Interview at the ICF in Sarasota 2024:
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A Hopeful Future for the Carolina Cup?
While the cancellation is a significant loss for the SUP community, Seychelle hinted at positive news for the future of racing in Wrightsville Beach. She expressed optimism that a major event could return to the area and vowed to be the first to sign up when it does.
The Stand Up Magazin shares Seychelles hopes and positivity. The Carolina Cup was once THE season opener in the SUP Sport. However, insiders know the pain the SUP Industry is going through, despite great attendance at SUP Events, declining sales and over stock has plagued the industry in recent years. Europe has become the epicenter of the “New SUP” the US has already lost significant event like the Pacific Paddle Games and the Gorge Challenge had to cancel their event in 2024, but is bringing it back in 2025. While the sport is in great health in Europe, the US is facing uncertain times.