The 2025 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships are set to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, marking the first time the UAE hosts this flagship event. The championships will run from October 29 to November 2, with a full program featuring sprint, technical, and long-distance races.
A key highlight is the return of the 100m sprint, which made a popular debut at the 2024 Worlds in Sarasota. Champions like Andrii Kraitor and Katniss Paris set the bar high last year and will be names to watch once again.
The schedule includes:
- Oct 29: Sprint preliminaries, heats, and quarter-finals
- Oct 30: Technical race prelims, heats, and quarters
- Oct 31: Sprint finals across all categories
- Nov 1: Technical semi-finals and finals
- Nov 2: Long-distance races, inflatable board events, and kids’ competitions
Organizers have promised a spectacular event, showcasing top-tier athleticism and aiming to elevate SUP’s profile globally.
Postponement of the One-Design Class:
Originally, the ICF planned to introduce a one-design board for junior athletes at the 2025 World Championships as a step towards greater fairness, accessibility, and sustainability. However, the plan has now been postponed.
This move comes after noticeable backlash from the SUP community, many of whom viewed the concept as rushed and overly ambitious for 2025. While the intention behind the one-design initiative was commendable—creating a level playing field and reducing costs—the execution appeared premature, especially for a sport still evolving in equipment diversity and brand loyalties.
Delaying the rollout was a wise and necessary call. It allows the ICF to gather more feedback, test logistics, and ensure the one-design class, when finally introduced, will have the full support of athletes, manufacturers, and national federations alike. A concept like this demands more than a top-down decision; it requires buy-in from the grassroots to the elite level.
In the meantime, Abu Dhabi promises to deliver an unforgettable championship that will once again shine the spotlight on SUP’s top athletes and the sport’s growing global reach.