Will there be an ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship in 2026? As September comes to an end, some of the world’s leading athletes are asking a very simple question – and so far, there appears to be no public answer.
For the SUP community, this is becoming an all-too-familiar situation.
As of September 24, the International Surfing Association (ISA) has not publicly announced a date or location for a 2026 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship. A search of the ISA’s official website shows information about its other 2026 World Championships, but we could not find a corresponding announcement for the WSUPPC.
At the same time, activity has returned to the ISA’s dedicated SUP social media presence. That has caught the attention of athletes – and instead of creating excitement, it has prompted questions.
Athletes need to know
For professional athletes, whether a World Championship will take place is not a minor scheduling detail. Training blocks, travel, accommodation, national-team selection and budgets all depend on knowing when and where the season’s major competitions will happen.
One of the questions posted by a leading athlete sums up the situation:
“Are we going to have ISA worlds this year? If the answer is NO, can that be announce soon?? If the answer is YES we need Date and location??”
The athlete also pointed out that the international season is reaching its final stages. Athletes need to know whether they can enter their off-season or need to continue training for another World Championship.
Juliette DuHaime was even more direct in the comments:
“@isasurfing we need answers”
Connor Baxter: Why are you guys making a post about stand-up if can’t even announce a date?
Another comment from Jader Fisio highlighted what the uncertainty means for athletes financially:
“Hoping the ISA SUP and Paddleboard happens this year. It’s disrespectful to the athletes. They haven’t announced whether it’s taking place or not. The year is coming to an end.”
Hernan Prone Race raised another important issue: athletes need sufficient notice to organize affordable international travel, accommodation and food while preparing to represent their countries.
The ISA finally responding after pressure from the community, too little too late:
We hear the concerns and understand the desire for clarity regarding the 2026 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship. We confirm the event will not be held this year. The ISA AGM on September 1, 2026, decided that an ISA event cannot be approved unless athletes and NFs can be provided with a minimum of six months’ advance notice. Accordingly, the ISA is focusing its efforts on securing a viable host for early 2027. We believe it is important to be transparent with the SUP community. We will communicate any confirmed developments as soon as we are able to do so.
This is not a new issue
Readers who are relatively new to competitive SUP might be wondering how one of the sport’s international governing bodies can reach late September without publicly communicating whether its World Championship will take place.
For those who have followed the ISA and SUP for many years, however, the communication problem is nothing new.
At Stand Up Magazin, we have followed the ISA SUP story for years. Unfortunately, communication with the wider SUP community has repeatedly been one of the major frustrations.
Even last year, the announcement came extraordinarily late.
The ISA officially announced the 2025 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship on September 29, 2025, confirming Surf City El Salvador as host for an event taking place November 10–15. That left athletes and national federations only around six weeks between the official announcement and the start of competition.
The event ultimately brought together 169 athletes representing 27 national teams, demonstrating that there remains substantial international interest in the ISA championship.
But that makes the communication issue even harder to understand.
The Olympic question makes the situation more important
The frustration surrounding the ISA goes beyond one World Championship.
The organization occupies an important position in the international governance of SUP, particularly because of the long-running discussion surrounding SUP and possible future Olympic inclusion.
For athletes and the wider SUP community, that makes consistent communication particularly important. If the sport wants to present itself as organized, professional and ready for the world’s biggest sporting stage, athletes need clarity about its highest-level competitions.
That is why the silence surrounding the 2026 ISA Worlds matters.
This isn’t simply about promoting another SUP race. It is about giving national federations, athletes, coaches and teams enough information to plan a professional season.
Meanwhile, the other SUP World Championship is ready to go
The contrast with the International Canoe Federation/Paddle Worldwide side of the sport is noticeable in 2026.
The 2026 ICF SUP World Championships are confirmed for October 14–18 in Sabaudia, Italy, with Sprint, Technical and Long Distance World titles on the program.
The wider ICF season has also included a published World Ranking Series and World Cups, including the recent event in Agios Nikolaos, Greece.
The comparison is difficult to ignore.
SUP continues to exist between two international organizations with different histories and approaches to the sport. Competition between organizations does not necessarily have to be negative – but athletes need reliable calendars and communication from both.
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