4th Annual Jr Pro & Youth SupFiesta Introduces New Format & International Field

DANA POINT, California - Get ready for the 4th Annual Quickblade Jr Pro & Youth SupFiesta presented by Infinity SUP. In its fourth year, the 2016 SUP Fiesta has outgrown a one-day event and the new format this year will allow competitors to focus on one discipline each day. With the events starting in the afternoon, there is plenty of time for athletes, spectators, and sponsors to attend the Standup for the Cure event in the morning, then make the short drive across the bay to the Newport Aquatic Center.

On Saturday we will hold the SupFiesta Grand Prix which will feature two races: the Flyin Mile, and the SUP Scramble. Competitors will compete in both races with each race counting towards their final placing. The Flyin Mile will test each athlete's sheer paddling speed and endurance over this short 1-mile course. The SUP Scramble will feature six turns which will showcase each athlete’s technical abilities and strategy. Courses will be posted the night before the race.

The Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) is a perfect venue for the SupFiesta Grand Prix. Home of many past and future Olympians, NAC has graciously allowed us to hold our races. The fast and furious racing will be spectator friendly so make sure to bring your cameras. “Candice and I are very excited to have the SupFiesta Grand Prix at NAC. It is rich in tradition and will be the perfect location to host the world’s most prestigious youth-only SUP event,” explains Race Director Anthony Vela. We will have a taco cart, awards, and introduce this year’s Junior Pro Invitees on Saturday as well. Competitors will receive complimentary dinner, while spectators will be able to purchase tickets for $10. 

Pictured: Left, Keola Auwae | Photo Greg Mendonca. / Right, Lara Claydon | Photo: Jerry Jaramillo

On Sunday the focus will switch to SUP Surfing at Bolsa Chica State Beach. The world’s top juniors will compete for over $5,000 equal gender prize purse in the Junior Pro Invitational. There are also seven age-group divisions of SUP surfing that will compete for fantastic prizes donated by our generous supporters. There are NO BEACH ENTRIES. Registration closes Friday night May 6 at 9:00pm. Heats for Saturday and Sunday will be posted. Check in for the SUP Fiesta Grand Prix will begin at 2:30 pm, and races will start at 4pm sharp, beginning with the Flyin’ Mile, and followed by multiple SUP Scramble heats.

We are honored to have Infinity SUP as our presenting sponsor. Infinity is one of the brands that were in the industry before there was an industry. Originally founded in 1970 by Shaping Hall of Famer Steve Boehne and his wife Barrie Boehne, their first shop was on PCH in Huntington Beach just one mile from the competition site. They moved shop in 1981 to Dana Point and have been there ever since. Steve and Barrie were 3x world champion tandem surfers with Steve shaping the boards. Once Stand Up Paddling began he was used to making bigger boards for tandem, and it was a natural progression. Now, Infinity SUP makes the most progressive SUP surf and race boards in the industry. A family run business with Dave Boehne heading up marketing and design, brother Dan helping with the shortboards and on the shaping side, while Steve continues to shape everyday and Barrie holds everything together. Infinity SUP has been a sponsor of the SupFiesta from day one and this year they have stepped up their involvement. When asked why, Dave had this to say, “the SupFiesta has quickly become THE premiere JR’s event in the world. Past JR Pro champions have gone off to be some of the best in the sport. How cool is that! We are honored to support the youth movement!”

Stoked groms at the 2015 SupFiesta. 

So far, we have competitors registered from Finland, Peru, Australia, Japan, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and all over the US! You will not want to miss this one of a kind event.

To register for the 2016 SupFiesta, click HERE.