SIC Maui and the WPA Announce All-New ONE CLASS SUP Racing Series

SAN CLEMENTE, California - SIC Maui, and the WPA (World Paddle Association) announce an all-new ONE CLASS SUP racing series. One Class racing made its debut in an exhibition event in May at the 2019 Salt Life Cup in Columbus, Georgia. The WPA and APP World Tour now recognize ONE CLASS and will include this division in select events for 2019 with an expanded schedule planned for 2020 in North America and around the world. For 2019 you can register for specific race events listed on the WPA's website or look for events posted on the SUP One Class Facebook page.

The goal of the ONE CLASS racing division is to attract paddle enthusiasts to the competitive side of SUP while keeping it fair, affordable, and a strong emphasis on FUN! The ONE CLASS courses are short and easy one to two-mile courses, run as heat races all using identical boards. The race format can vary to include a ONE CLASS relay. This new class is designed to level the playing field and open the doors for new paddlers in a non-intimidating format while creating a path to graduate to open and elite racing.

“We believe this is a great way to get more people introduced to stand up paddling and in a fun race format with a board that can be used in everyday fitness and touring. This gives everyone a chance to feel what it is like to race without a whole lot of pressure. Furthermore, it allows for flexibility and scalability to race organizers who can adapt the course to their community, conditions and desired race length and format”, states Byron Kurt, President of the WPA.

Currently approved for the ONE CLASS category are the SIC Sonic, BIC SUP Wing, and Oxbow Explore paddleboards of which there are over 8,000 of these boards being paddled around the world today, providing the class with a great base of participants. The boards are very stable, have excellent glide, and are well suited for paddlers of nearly any age, size, and ability. The boards retail around $1,049.00 (USD), providing a low barrier to entry for anyone interested in doing ONE CLASS Races. For those who already own a One Class specification board, they will be able to enter with their own gear anywhere there is a One Class division offered. Charters will be available at select races so you can travel to participating events and races without the logistical hassle of transporting gear.

"We are very excited about this new class and hope that all brands will participate in this initiative. We have to invest in the fun and the social side of paddling in order to continue to build our paddle community. The ONE CLASS races will foster growth for the competitive race community but is also a great board for everyday fitness and touring," states Anthony Scaturro, Global Brand Manager for SIC.

Custom ONE CLASS boards are available to all manufacturers. Brands can have their own graphics and logos printed on the ONE CLASS boards manufactured by Tahe Outdoors. “In order to continue to build our active participants and our race base it will take an industry-wide effort, and this is why the class is called “One Class” and not “One Design”. We want to encourage all brands to participate and invest in the future of our sport, said Scaturro.” Those brands interested in having their own One Class boards should contact SIC Global Brand Manager Anthony Scaturro for pricing and details at anthony@sicmaui.com

If you are interested in offering a ONE CLASS race or series please contact Casi Rynkowski (SIC Maui) at casi.rynkowski@bicsport.com and or Byron Kurt (WPA) at byron@worldpaddleassociation.com and visit us on our social media sites Facebook: SUP One Class and Instagram: @suponeclass for more ONE CLASS race images.

About WPA (World Paddle Association)

The mission of the WPA is to provide a comprehensive voice, fair and equal access and organizational structure to the sport of Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and its participants in a manner that benefits the collective paddling community for the best growth of the sport. Since 2009, the WPA was the first paddling organization to offer rules & guidelines so events would be fair and fun. For more information, please visit www.worldpaddleassociation.com