– to access more content and expert support, check out 
.
Welcome to our collection of the biggest news and stories that have taken place in the SUP world from the previous month. Let's recap what happened in January 2026.
LA NORD SUP CHALLENGE - 2026
The 13th edition of the Rip Curl Challenge La Nord in Hossegor, France, delivered an exciting spectacle of surf and stand-up paddle action in January 2026, drawing competitors and spectators to one of Europe’s most iconic big-wave beaches. The mixed conditions and powerful swell offered a dramatic stage for both shortboard and SUP competitors alike.
Held under the event’s traditional waiting period — spanning from November 1, 2025, to April 1, 2026 — the competition only ran on days meeting strict minimum wave requirements, ensuring athletes faced truly challenging ocean conditions. La Nord’s heavy beach break and offshore winds pushed swell heights into the 3-metre range, with some sets producing sizeable barrels and high-octane performances.
In the SUP division, Breton paddler Benoît Carpentier dominated the field, bringing home first place with an outstanding performance that capitalised on both wave selection and aggressive manoeuvring in demanding surf. French rider Clément Roseyro took second, while Gabriel Bachelet rounded out the podium in third.
GBSUP OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES 2026 SEASON - Racing
GBSUP has officially kicked off its 2026 stand-up paddleboard (SUP) racing season with a live broadcast unveiling its “Join the Future” strategic vision and a comprehensive national race calendar. The broadcast, which marked the start of the new season for the UK paddle racing community, showcased major developments in competition structure, athlete pathways and event format.
The central theme of the launch – “Join the Future” – outlines a five-year plan focused on expanding junior development programs, integrating new technologies for safety and engagement, fostering a stronger racing community and improving long-term sustainability of the sport.
A Truly National Series
GBSUP’s 2026 calendar promises widespread geographic coverage, bringing events to all regions of the UK. Key dates and venues include:
May 2–3: Llandegfedd Pursuit in South Wales
May 31: National Sprint Championships in Nottingham
June 6–7: British National Championships in Liverpool – the flagship event
June 20: Strathclyde Sprint Regatta 1 in Scotland (new addition)
July 4–5: Battle of the Bay & International Selection event on the South Coast
August 1: Loch Lomond Distance race in Scotland
August 22: Strathclyde Sprint Regatta 2 (Scotland)
September 19–20: Windermere race in the North West
October 3–4: Sovereign Showdown Finale in Ramsgate
INDOOR WORLDCUP BOOT DÜSSELDORF - 2026
The first event of the Euro Tour 2026 season kicked off in Düsseldorf, Germany, at Boot Düsseldorf, delivering a high-energy start to the year. Athletes from 12 countries competed in tight, fast-paced sprint racing, culminating in a dramatic finals day.
Women’s Sprint Final
The women’s sprint final saw a fierce battle between Spain’s Alba Frey and Puerto Rico’s Mari Carmen Rivera. Early on, it appeared the two-time Euro Tour champion had the race under control, but a sharper buoy turn from Frey proved decisive, giving the Canary Islands native the edge and securing the win after a standout contest.
Italy’s Cecilia Pampinella claimed third place after posting the faster time over Argentina’s Juliette Du Haime in fourth. Rounding out the top five was Spain’s Alexia Soto, who recorded the fastest quarterfinal time and delivered her strongest performance to date on the tour.
Men’s Sprint Final
In the men’s sprint, Spain’s Manuel Hoyuela secured a back-to-back victory, overcoming Italy’s Riccardo Rossi in a highly competitive final. Rossi, competing in his first event following injury and school commitments, showed he has returned in strong form.
Lithuania’s Vadim Korobov impressed with some of the fastest heats of the entire competition to take third place. Romania’s Matei Barbu delivered a breakthrough performance in fourth, eliminating several top contenders to earn his first Euro Tour podium. Spain’s Unax Etxeberria completed the top five, showcasing strong technique in his preferred sprint format.