Registration for the APP Tour Racing Season is Now Open

ERICEIRA, Portugal - Vendee Gliss wrapped up the qualifying process for the APP World Tour where four promising talents snatched the final spots for the 2021 season, completing the athlete roster. As the APP’s European Qualifier, Vendee Gliss decided the final four athletes to join the 2021 racing season. Whilst seasoned APP athletes performed, with Fiona Wylde and Titouan Puyo taking first place in the distance race and Tom Auber taking first in the technical race, the podiums were filled with brand-new faces and promising young talents. For a recap of the event click HERE.

Athletes Qualifying for the 2021 APP World Tour:

Women:

1. Anais Guyomarch (Crozon, France)
2. Caterina Stenta (Italy)

The stand-out performance of the weekend was 19-year-old French athlete, Anais Guyomarch. Not only did she take third in the distance race, hot on the heels of Fiona Wylde and Espe Barreras, but the French underdog also placed first in the technical race, beating out a sea of accomplished stand up paddle racers and securing herself a spot on the 2021 APP World Tour in the process. With a fourth place in the distance and a third in the technical race, familiar APP face, Caterina Stenta from Italy, also bagged herself a spot on Tour.

Men:

1. Clement Colmas (New Caledonia)
2. Ethan Bry (Crozon, France)

The first wildcard for the men was awarded to New Caledonian young gun, Clement Colmas, who had a stellar performance with a 2nd in the distance race, beating out former APP World champion, Arthur Arutkin, and a 4th in the technical race.

The second wildcard was awarded to 16 year old Ethan Bry, who kept even the most experienced paddlers looking over their shoulders. Ethan took home a 4th in the distance race and 3rd in the technical race proving himself to be one of France’s brightest young talents.

We are excited to see Clement, Ethan and Anais make their debut on Tour this year and it will be a welcomed return for Caterina.

Final List of Qualified Athletes for the 2021 APP World Tour Racing Season is released. | Photo: APP World Tour

In addition to these 4 European and 4 Australian Athletes that qualified through the respective European Events, the APP has awarded international wildcards to celebrate talent from the Americas and Asia to complete the 2021 field.

These wildcards include everyone from up and coming athletes such as Shuri Araki and Rai Taguchi from Japan, Sam McCullough from Australia and Jade Howson from the USA to established paddling Champions such as Sonni Honscheid from Germany, Bruno Hasulyo from Hungary and Amandine Chazot from France, as the line up for 2021 will provide some of the most dynamic and competitive racing yet.

Please find the full list of qualified athletes for the 2021 Season by clicking here.

Although the final athlete list has been decided, due to the challenging nature of travel this year, we have an alternate list for athletes that are unable to make an event. In addition to the local wildcards that we will be awarding, we will also be issuing spots to athletes on the alternate list as final athletes confirm their attendance.

It should be noted that there will be Pro-Am Divisions across all events this year, so those who didn't directly get awarded wildcards or qualify through the regional events can try their luck for the Main Event at each stop, and still compete in the Pro-Am Division whatever happens should no spots open up. More info can be found on this at appworldtour.com and athletes can still submit wildcard applications by emailing us at athletes@appworldtour.com

Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

Registration for the 2021 Racing Events is Now OPEN For Both World Tour and Amateur Races

Registration for the 2021 Racing Tour is now open! All the World Tour and amateur races can now be entered, find all the dates and information here.

Here is a line-up of the racing events for 2021:

1. Hawaiian Grand Slam Part 1, (Maliko Downwind & Ho'okipa Sprints): 14th - 17th October
2. Hawaiian Grand Slam, Part 2, (Maui to Molokai Downwind & Oahu Surf Sprints): 16th - 24th October
3. Gran Canaria Pro-Am, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain: 19th - 21st November
4. Paris SUP Open, France: 3rd - 5th December
5. World Championship Tour Finals: 10th - 12th February (2022)

For full information on each event and for registration click HERE. www.appworldtour.com/2021-app-events

Stop 1 & 2: Hawaiian Grand Slam

The Tour will kick off with the Hawaiian Grand Slam, that will start in the paradise that is the North Shore of Maui with surf sprints at Ho’okipa Beach Park and one of the most well known downwind courses in the world, known as 'the Maliko run'.

Part two of the Hawaiian Grand Slam will feature one of the fastest downwind runs in the world that connects the 27-mile stretch between the islands of Maui and Moloka’i before returning to Oahu’s Turtle Bay for more spectacular surf sprints to provide a fitting finale to the Grand Slam. Both pros and amateurs are invited to the downwind events, subject to screening, to offer all paddlers the opportunity to experience the thrill of two of the greatest downwind runs in the world.

Stop 3: Gran Canaria Pro-Am

The Gran Canaria Pro-Am will mark the second stop of the World Racing Tour, where professional and amateur Stand Up Paddle racers alike will assemble on the idyllic island of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a weekend full of action including long distance and more surf sprints at El Cicer. This will also then lead into this year's edition of the Gran Canaria Pro-Am Surfing stop that will run from the 21st - 28th November.

Stop 4: Paris SUP Open

We will then return to Paris for our annual pilgrimage down the River Seine for the long distance with an exciting new announcement regarding the sprint racing coming soon, so stay tuned. Registration for the amateur Nautic Paddle down the River Seine can be found at www.nauticpaddle.com and will open in early September as it has done in previous years.

Official Announcement for the World Championship Tour Final together with the 3 event Surfing Tour for 2021 will follow soon with all information to be found at appworldtour.com.

All races hosted at APP World Tour will feature open, unrestricted entries to allow participation at every level, from Pro-Am down to entry level and fun racing. Find full information about registration here and stay tuned for announcements on the surfing world tour at appworldtour.com and @appworldtour

Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

About the APP World Tour & the Waterman League

The APP World Tour is the Professional World Championship Tour for the Sport of Paddlesurfing (also known as SUP / Stand Up Paddling / Paddleboarding), officially sanctioned by the IOC recognized Federation for Stand Up Paddling, the ISA (International Surfing Association). The APP World Tour (previously known as the Stand Up World Tour and Series) has been crowning the sport’s World Champions for both Men & Women across Racing and Surfing since 2010 and has created the all access City Paddle Festival concept around its flagship global events to celebrate inclusivity and participation for all.