European SUP League Crowns Its First Champions: Final Rankings Revealed After Dramatic Sesimbra Finale

The finale showcased the strengths of the league’s new continental format: international fields, consistent event standards, and a points structure that rewarded performance across multiple disciplines. Sesimbra delivered fittingly demanding conditions, with wind, open-water texture and technical buoy sections shaping the outcome of the races.

Recap of the Sesimbra Finale

In the Elite Men’s Long Distance race, Denmark’s Christian Andersen secured a commanding victory, reinforcing the form he had shown throughout the year. Behind him, Spain’s Sergio Cantoral and young Spanish talent Jorge Valenzuela completed the podium.

The Elite Women’s field was dominated by Spain, with Alexia Soto Sánchez taking the win ahead of Laura Paricio and Bianca Toncelli. The strength of Spain’s U18 women was especially apparent, filling all top five positions in the category.

Youth divisions delivered standout performances. Jorge Valenzuela won the U18 men’s Long Distance race, while Nuria Chiquero García topped the U16 women’s field. In the masters categories, Rui Ramos and Paula Rodríguez Fernández claimed victories in their respective divisions.

With the Sesimbra results added to the season totals, the European SUP League released its final official rankings for 2025.

Final ESL 2025 Season Champions

These rankings are based on cumulative points across all ESL-designated events and disciplines for the 2025 season.

Open Men – Overall Champion

1. Christian Andersen (Denmark) – 4878 points
2. Sergio Cantoral (Spain) – 3930 points
3. Fernando Pérez Serra (Spain) – 3553 points

Open Women – Overall Champion

1. Alba Frey (Spain) – 4260 points
2. Esperanza Barreras (Spain) – 4120 points
3. Alexia Soto Sánchez (Spain) – 4116 points

U18 Men – Overall Champion

1. Jorge Valenzuela (Spain) – 4450 points
2. Aetz Ibarloza Montero (Spain) – 3176 points
3. Louka Brard (France) – 2610 points

U18 Women – Overall Champion

1. Bianca Toncelli (Spain) – 5190 points
2. Alexia Soto Sánchez (Spain) – 4838 points
3. Laura Paricio (Spain) – 4293 points

U16 Men – Overall Champion

1. Ruben Cantoral Quirant (Spain) – 5000 points
2. Enzo Ponzó Santacana (Spain) – 4710 points
3. Gonçalo Silva (Portugal) – 3145 points

U16 Women – Overall Champion

1. Pia Rabina Canovas (Spain) – 3805 points
2. Martina Trobat (Spain) – 3801 points
3. Ana Serrano (Spain) – 2920 points

Master 40+ Men – Overall Champion

1. Roberto Cañedo (Spain) – 5450 points
2. Rui Ramos (Portugal) – 3860 points
3. Glen Sloss (United Kingdom) – 3692 points

Master 40+ Women – Overall Champion

1. Esperanza Barreras (Spain) – 5000 points
2. Kath Shaw (Canada) – 4320 points
3. Jenny Kalmbach (USA) – 1720 points

Grand Master 50+ Men – Overall Champion

1. Santi Canto (Spain) – 5450 points
2. Eusebio Rodríguez Fernández (Spain) – 4330 points
3. Tomas Durá Poyatos (Spain) – 4208 points

Grand Master 50+ Women – Overall Champion

1. Paula Rodríguez Fernández (Spain) – 4720 points
2. Katerina Trdlova (Czech Republic) – 2000 points
3. Silvia Canudas (Spain) – 2000 points

A Defining First Season for the ESL

The ESL’s inaugural year has been widely regarded as a turning point for competitive SUP in Europe. By unifying key race destinations under one ranking system and bringing together a diverse field of athletes and nations, the league achieved its central aims of elevating standards, providing consistency and giving the sport a true continental identity.

Spain emerged as the dominant nation across nearly all divisions, while Christian Andersen and Alba Frey secured their places in history as the first European SUP League Open Champions. With a successful debut season now complete, anticipation is already building for the league’s 2026 calendar and the next chapter in European SUP racing.