SUP Titles Hit Shores of Port Stephens

PORT STEPHENS, New South Whales — Only days away, the inaugural NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles will hit the shores of Port Stephens this weekend. With approximately 50 competitors competing for prestigious state titles and the opportunity to compete at the Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles, which will be held as part of the Country Energy Australian Surf Festival at Port Macquarie in August, spectators, competitors and event organisers are looking forward to what lies ahead.

One competitor who is happy to be competing in such a momentous event is number one seed Roger Saunders (Minnie Waters, NSW). “I’m stoked to be involved in the inaugural event,” Saunders said with a smile. “It’s great that Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is finally being officially recognised within NSW,” he continued.

“There are a great core of competitors in NSW who will all be looking to take home the first ever SUP state title.”Having ridden a wave of popularity, across the globe, over the past decade, stand-up paddleboarding has etched its way firmly into the sphere of competitive and recreational surfing, culminating with this inaugural event.

The hybrid discipline, which takes inspiration from surfing, skiing, wakeboarding and skateboarding, continues to rapidly evolve and grow in popularity. Having finished fifth at the inaugural Australian SUP Titles, at last year’s Country Energy Australian Surf Festival, Saunders will be returning to the region where he was born and spent some of his childhood.

“I haven’t been back for 30 years,” Saunders admitted. “So it’s going to be a real pleasure to come back, compete and check out the area.”Recognised as one the finest surfing and tourist destinations on the NSW coastline, Port Stephens will provide the perfect backdrop for such a prestigious event with One Mile Beach the prime location for competition.

“Port Stephens is an excellent surf location and will provide the perfect venue for the State’s best Stand Up Paddleboarders to strut their stuff,” said Surfing NSW Operations Manager, Peter Hunt. The NSW Stand Up Paddleboard Titles will be held on Saturday, 19 July 2010.

www.surfingnsw.com.au