The somewhat surprising announcement about a newly launched European SUP League, backed by the European Surfing Federation hit many with surprise and us here at the Stand Up Magazin with great skepticism. (Read here) We did a bit of research and contacted a few people and happen to find out that no other than Daniel Parres is part of this new initiative. This gave us a sense of relieve as Daniel has a great standing in our community by putting all of his energy into the SUP sport. We had to have an interview with him.
Aloha Daniel, thank you very much for your time clarifying some questions and details about the newly founded European SUP League. In all honesty, I was surprised that you are behind the ESL, I guess I did not know you are also involved in the Surfing World. With that being said, this is actually great news for the SUP community to have an insider and invested person behind all of that.
Nevertheless, the ESL mission statement sets a high bar and expectations for the future. We have written a critical news article about that and I believe you read it. The Stand Up Magazin has covered the SUP Sport for 15 years and we have seen initiatives like this come and go and we have grown skeptical over the years.
In a previous conversation you said:
“The motivation behind the ESL is to fill a gap. As you know, for SUP to have a chance at Olympic inclusion, it needs to show stronger organization and presence within the surfing structure — especially at the European level.”
You are absolutely right, if SUP wants to be Olympic the ISA holds the key to that right now. Regardless, the ISA has failed over the years to invest more in the sport and gain trust with the community. For example, it is April and we have not heard a thing from the ISA since Kopenhagen last year. In the meanwhile the ICF has launched a World Cup and holds World Championships of which we have dates all the way to 2027.
Are you able to reassure our community that this time it is different?
Yes, I completely understand the skepticism. SUP has gone through many failed attempts to establish a solid circuit, and the community is tired of big promises that never materialize. That’s why, rather than offering empty assurances, we want to prove it through our actions.
📸 SUP World Festival
What makes this different is that this project is born from a real collaboration between experienced private organizers — like myself — and the European Surfing Federation, which is the entity officially recognized by the ISA to represent surfing and SUP at the continental level. This alliance allows us to build something based on a federated structure, not driven solely by commercial interests, but also incorporating the perspective of those of us who have been developing this sport from the ground up for years.
Our goal is not to launch a massive tour right away, but to establish a stable structure with clear criteria, a mid- and long-term vision, and, above all, a willingness to listen to athletes, clubs, and organizers. We know this can’t be achieved in one season, but we believe that step by step we can create a league with a strong identity and lasting potential. For instance, we expect to announce the 2026 calendar well in advance — even before the end of 2025.
The reason we are having this conversation is because the ESF / ESL made some very strong statements, for example: Provide more opportunities for athletes to develop and gain exposure. Can you explain what that means? What are the opportunities to develop? What does it mean to “gain exposure?
This statement is at the core of our motivation. When we talk about “development,” we’re referring to several levels: from young athletes who need a federated calendar to progress, to elite paddlers looking for platforms to compete at the highest level under professional conditions.
On the federative side, the ESL allows results to be official, recognized by national federations, and useful when applying for travel assistance, grants, scholarships, or even to build a pathway toward national teams and international events like the ISA Worlds.
As for visibility, we know that SUP needs to move beyond its niche. That’s why we are working with a professional international TV production team to deliver high-quality audiovisual content that showcases athletes, sponsors, and events. It’s not just about streaming — we want to bring SUP to broader platforms with a consistent, modern, and professional image.
Additionally, we offer a unified space where athletes can compete under equal conditions, with clear rules, coherent categories, and pre-established prize structures. This, too, is part of development: providing structure, clarity, and growth potential.
The next statement was: Establish an officially recognized and respected SUP racing circuit in Europe.
Our answer to this was: It takes a bit more than utilizing 3 existing events, leave the door open for the 2nd half of the season to establish a recognized SUP Tour. Particularly on the back ground of the EURO TOUR having done just that for a decade.
Can you make a counter argument on this?
I agree that combining three events is not enough to build a recognized tour. That’s why we are not presenting the ESL as a finished product, but as a developing project with the necessary federative backing to grow meaningfully.
In this first edition, we started with the events that met the logistical, sporting, and administrative criteria in time. These are well-established races with strong organization and the ability to adapt to a unified structure. We’re not ruling out adding new venues, but we want to prioritize quality over quantity.
What’s important is that this is not an isolated initiative. It’s part of a broader plan with the European Surfing Federation, which includes official sanctioning, coordination with national federations, and a shared ranking and rules system. That’s what can make this a respected circuit in the mid-term — not just a loose series of races.
Another statement was: The ESL lays the foundation for a unified and internationally recognized SUP circuit, giving athletes the platform they deserve to compete and shine at the highest level.
We can get 100% on board with this. The sport needs a recognized SUP circuit, particularly for ambitious Athletes who like to raise to the top. Then again, we have the EURO TOUR that is doing this already. We had the APP that tried to do this, but failed.
How is this going to be any different? How can the community be sure that this is going to happen and its not just another big idea? I guess the bottom line is: How is this all going to be financed?
What makes the ESL different is that it comes from a European federative structure with long-term goals and a broader sporting mission than a commercial tour. We’re not here to replace the EuroTour or deny what the APP accomplished; in fact, we deeply value the contribution of both. The EuroTour has been key to the growth of SUP in Europe — and it remains essential. That’s why my own event is still part of it.
What the ESL brings is something that was missing: a federated, officially sanctioned structure that can validate results, justify public and private investment, and connect with other projects like national teams, grassroots development, or potential Olympic inclusion.
Regarding funding, we are working with a mixed model: each organizer covers part of their event’s cost and contributes to the league’s final prize pool, while the European Surfing Federation provides resources for prizes, sanctioning, and logistical support. Additionally, we are working on global sponsorship agreements that will allow for sustainable growth. This is a grounded project that will mature year by year.
The bottom line of this all, is that the sport is very fragmented, you saw it in Sarasota, the “canoefication” of the sport is well under way. In eastern Europe where the growth is strong, people can’t rely to the surfing culture or aspect of the SUP Sport. For the ICF we are paddling on boats, not boards. We have always been an advocate of an International SUP League in the example of the WSL or what the APP tried to do. The SUP Sport has a long way to go finding a structure for competitive elites.
As a final statement, can you share your visions and ideas for the future of an active, high level competitive SUP Sport?
My vision is clear: SUP needs strong structures that support both athletic development and real professionalization. It’s not just about big events — it’s about building a solid pyramid, starting from youth development and reaching elite competition through defined steps.
I dream of a European league that connects major events across countries, where athletes can plan their season, gain recognition, and get real visibility. A space where organizers, federations, and media work together. Where young paddlers training in small clubs can aspire to make national teams, travel across Europe, and compete under fair conditions.
I also want SUP to remain diverse: with all disciplines coexisting (race, tech, sprint, waves, paddleboard, foil…), and space for professionals, amateurs, masters, and inclusive paddling. Above all, I believe we must continue building this together — with athletes, organizers, and federations all contributing to the sport.
Thank you very much Daniel for this great insight and your dedication to all of this. We documented the Sport since 2010 and will continue to support SUP in anyway we can.
Do you value, Interviews and efforts like this? If so please support our work with an online subscription.
Online Subscription
Are you enjoying the content of the Stand Up Magazin?
With a subscription, you help secure the future of Stand Up Magazin.
Become a patron and supporter with your subscription.
Your subscription is an annual contribution and renews automatically.