Stand Up Magazine is traditionally covering SUP, foiling, and wingfoiling. But when we received the press release from Rainer Klimaschewski, the inventor of the citywave, we thought to ourselves: Why not try something new for a change?

After all, the citywave is anything but unfamiliar to us. For many years, it was one of the major attractions at boot Düsseldorf, and we have many fond memories of it.

We’re actually asking ourselves here in the editorial office: Shouldn’t we give surfing a little more space in Stand Up Magazine going forward? This would actually be a pretty good start.

2026 Continental Surf Cup: Team Europe Faces a Stronger Team USA in Chelan

On September 5 and 6, 2026, the Continental Surf Cup will enter its fourth edition in Chelan, Washington. On the 16-meter-wide citywave at Lakeside Surf, twelve European surfers will face off against twelve American surfers. Team Europe arrives as the three-time defending champion—but the competition could be tighter this year than ever before.

The Continental Surf Cup has been held three times so far, and all three times the trophy has gone to Europe. On the first weekend in September, Team USA will once again try to break that streak. In addition to the Continental Surf Cup, the 24 surfers are competing for $20,000 in prize money.

The event will once again be held at Lakeside Surf in Chelan. With a width of 16 meters and wave heights of up to 1.8 meters, the citywave there offers significantly more space than many other standing waves. This not only allows for classic turns and carves but also provides enough room for airs and technically challenging maneuvers.

Team USA Benefits from Chelan and Hawaii

In recent years, the skill level of American surfers on the standing wave has improved significantly. One reason for this is the training opportunities available at large facilities such as the one in Chelan—and now also in Hawaii.

Part of the American team qualified this year through the Wai Kai Surf League. The wave there on Oahu is also one of the largest citywave facilities and, as such, offers plenty of space and a pronounced air section.

As a result, several U.S. surfers are coming to Chelan—surfers who are used to exactly this kind of wave.

Among them is Cash Hoover. In 2024, at the age of just 14, she won the women’s overall title in Chelan, demonstrating even then the potential of the next generation on the U.S. team.

This trend is also evident in the individual contest disciplines. In the Best Trick event in 2024, Team USA took the top spots in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Team Europe, with extensive contest experience

However, Europe still has one key advantage: a now very active contest scene on standing waves. Many of the European competitors arrive in Washington with a great deal of competitive experience.

The team is led by Lennard Weinhold, who has already won the individual title at the Continental Surf Cup three times.

The European squad also includes Valeska Schneider, the reigning German champion. She knows the waves in Chelan very well and has already claimed a victory there.

Maximilian Lex is also expected to pull off some spectacular maneuvers. The aerial specialist lives in Hawaii part of the time and trains there on the citywave as well. Lex was the first surfer to land a so-called Kerrupt Flip on a citywave.

So it’s not just two continents that come together in Chelan. Some of the best surfers on both teams are now familiar with the same training conditions—and in some cases, even the same waves.

Best Trick is likely to be a highlight once again

That’s why Saturday’s Best Trick Contest will be especially interesting. 360 shuv-its, big spins, full rotations, and other aerial maneuvers have long since become an integral part of citywave surfing.

Since Team USA won both Best Trick events in 2024, this discipline is likely to be one of the U.S. team’s strengths once again.

However, the Continental Surf Cup features several different formats. In addition to the Best Trick event, the lineup includes Surfers Classic, team heats, and single-heat finals. Therefore, dominating just one discipline isn’t enough to secure the overall victory.

In 2024, the Continental Surf Cup was closer than ever

The last match already showed just how close this rivalry has become.

After the first day of competition in 2024, Team Europe led the U . S. by a narrow margin of 13 to 12 points. It was only thanks to the strong European finishes in the individual standings that the team was able to secure its third consecutive overall victory.

It is precisely this development that makes the fourth issue particularly interesting.

Team USA is no longer a clear underdog heading into the contest. The Americans have proven that they can win individual heats, while a new generation of surfers from Chelan and Hawaii is coming up through the ranks.

Team Europe, on the other hand, brings with it the experience gained from three victories as well as a busy contest schedule from the European season.

Continental Surf Cup 2026 at a Glance

Date: September 5–6, 2026
Location: Lakeside Surf, Chelan, Washington, USA
Teams: Team Europe vs. Team USA
Participants: 24 surfers—12 per team
Events: Surfers Classic, Team Heats, Best Trick, and Single-Heat Finals
Prize money: $20,000
Wave: citywave Chelan – 16 meters wide, up to 1.8 meters high

After three consecutive European victories, the big question for 2026 is therefore: Can Team USA capitalize on its home-ice advantage and finally end Team Europe’s winning streak?

The answer will be revealed on September 5 and 6 in Chelan.