Aarón Sánchez Quetglas, Alba Alonso Frey, Fernando Pérez Serra and Duna Gordillo Rodríguez claimed victories as close to 150 athletes contested the fifth round of the 2026 European SUP League in southern Spain. Playa Central in Isla Cristina hosted three days of competition from September 4-6, welcoming a strong international field that included five world champions.
SPRINT RACING OPENS THE ACTION
The main competition began on Saturday with the 200-metre sprint races, producing a series of fast and closely contested heats.
Fernando Pérez Serra claimed victory in the men’s sprint final, finishing ahead of Sergio Cantoral Quirant in second place. Iván Puente Rodríguez completed the podium in third.
In the women’s competition, Duna Gordillo Rodríguez secured the sprint title. European SUP League rankings leader Alba Alonso Frey finished second, with Nuria Chiquero García taking third.
WORLD CHAMPION AARÓN SÁNCHEZ WINS TECHNICAL FINAL
Sunday’s programme turned to the Technical Race, with beach starts and finishes, buoy turns and frequent changes of position testing the athletes in front of the Playa Central crowd.
Reigning Technical Race world champion Aarón Sánchez Quetglas entered the men’s final as one of the favourites and delivered the victory.
Fernando Pérez Serra followed his sprint win with second place in the technical discipline, while Iván Puente Rodríguez earned his second podium finish of the weekend in third.
In the women’s Technical Race, Alba Alonso Frey moved one place higher than her sprint result to take the victory. Nuria Chiquero García finished second and Laura Paricio Godián completed the podium in third.
ISLA CRISTINA RESULTS
Men’s Sprint
- Fernando Pérez Serra
- Sergio Cantoral Quirant
- Iván Puente Rodríguez
Women’s Sprint
- Duna Gordillo Rodríguez
- Alba Alonso Frey
- Nuria Chiquero García
Men’s Technical Race
- Aarón Sánchez Quetglas
- Fernando Pérez Serra
- Iván Puente Rodríguez
Women’s Technical Race
- Alba Alonso Frey
- Nuria Chiquero García
- Laura Paricio Godián
THE EUROPEAN SUP LEAGUE HEADS TO SESIMBRA
Following round five in Isla Cristina, the European SUP League now travels to Sesimbra, Portugal, for its 2026 season finale from September 11-13.
Alba Alonso Frey currently leads the women’s overall standings, while Dutch paddler Donato Freens sits at the top of the men’s standings heading into the deciding event.
The Sesimbra SUP Festival will determine the overall 2026 European SUP League champions.
Words and images supplied by the European SUP League.