Champions Crowned at the 2025 India Paddle Festival

MANGALORE, India - After his stunning 2nd place finish in the India Paddle Festival on an inflatable board in 2024, Christian Andersen returned to India in 2025 to do one better and once again redefine the norms of competitive racing. While a 3rd place in the Distance Race on day 1 was still a podium finish, he would have no option but to take victory in the sprints on Day 2 to be able to realize overall victory in India. Through the day he looked calm and composed, winning all his heats with ease and making it to the final with the victor from Day 1, Antonio Morillo.

An strong start saw him take off from the pack and maintain the lead, catching a wave from the last buoy all the way to the finish line to cruise his way to victory on an inflatable board amidst a stacked final of the world's best on composite race boards - an impressive feat to say the least. In second place, was the victor from day 1, Antonio Morillo from Spain and in 3rd, Daniel Hasulyo from Hungary.

Christian is looking fitter and stronger than ever this year, and if his performance here in India is anything to go by, 2025 is going to be a big year for the young Dane.

Women's Sprints

Esperanza Barreras continues her dominant form to claim sprint and overall victory at the 2025 India Paddle Festival. | Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

Esperanza was always going to be the favorite coming into the 2nd edition of the India Paddle Festival, but she once again impressed with a truly dominant and flawless performance in the sprint racing to take victory not only in the sprints, but for the overall. Looking fitter than ever in 2025, it is clear that Espe aims to continue her leading position in the global SUP racing season, and her calm focus and determination is clear for all to see. It will be interesting to see if anyone will be able to make waves in 2025, or if Espe's dominance in India is a sign of the season to come.

However, it was great to see old and new faces stepping up to do battle in Mangalore, with a truly international podium at this year's India Paddle Festival that saw an up and coming South African talent, Chiara Vorster finish in 2nd and Sujeong Lim from Korea in 3rd. As usual the dynamic sprint course made more exciting by the small surf conditions on offer in Sasihitlu Beach provided a great showcase for the sport, as excitement for the future of Stand Up Paddling is building.

Overall Winners

Antonio Morillo goes a step further in 2025 to secure overall victory at the 2025 India Paddle Festival | Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

After taking back to back victories in the distance race of the India Paddle Festival, Antonio Morillo was able to momentum his pole position on day 2 with a strong performance in the sprint racing to finish in 2nd place behind Christian Andersen and take the overall victory in Mangalore.

As a training partner of Espe Barreras, Antonio is looking fitter and stronger than ever as well, and while he is still juggling studies with training and competing, there is no doubt that he is a major force to be reckoned with in 2025. The training is paying off and there is no doubt that the results will continue to show this year.

Finishing in second place overall was Christian Andersen from Denmark, with a 1st in the sprints and 3rd in distance, while Daniel Hasulyo from Hungary remains a major contender, finishing in 3rd overall with his 2nd place in the distance and 3rd in the sprints.

India is starting to witness the stars of the future rise up to be counted, as youth racing takes center stage in Mangalore. | Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

As the APP World Tour has taken the sport and athletes to all four corners of the world over the past decade, it has always been exciting and gratifying to witness the sport develop and young talent rise up to the challenge in each region we visit. This year's growth in youth participation has been so exciting to see, not to mention the excitement and passion that was bubbling to the surface from all the young athletes that participated. The competition was fierce and the camaraderie was at an all time high, so the future for the sport here in India is in good hands. Taking the overall victory was Aakash Pujar from India securing 2nd place finishes in distance and sprint, while Reefe Anargya Pranoto from Indonesia took victory in the distance race and Martin J Patumsuwon from Thailand in the sprints.

We can't wait to watch all these young athletes evolve over the coming years to become major forces in the global Stand Up Paddle scene - the future is certainly looking bright. Check out the highlights, photos and full results from the India Paddle Festival at appworldtour.com and @appworldtour.

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