Ten Things to Know About ISA SUP and Paddleboard

Watch the ISA World Championship Live Feb 19-25, 2012 in Miraflores, Lima, Peru

Justin Holland from Australia showcasing his progressiveness in sup contests.

LIMA, Peru – The ISA decided to host the inaugural SUP and Paddleboard World Championship to further support the development of both disciplines all over the world. "We're thrilled to announce the holding of an important ISA World Championship," said ISA President, Fernando Aguerre. "StandUp Paddle surfing and racing are truly global sports and the ISA wants to support them with this yearly competition. The event also includes Paddleboarding, a classic discipline practiced by paddling prone over a board. The combination of two SUP and Paddleboarding in an event in one of the world's most important surf cities, Lima, will give us an amazing competition that we all look forward to."

The ten things you need to know about this historic ISA event are:

One

The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship will gather the world's best SUPers and Paddleboarders to compete for the first time ever in a National Team competition. It is an "Olympic Style" event. Teams compete for medals and the honor of representing their countries. The excellence of competitive paddling reaches it highest level as each participant defends his or her flag.

Two

The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship will be an annual event that will see its first edition in the beautiful waves and waters of Miraflores, in the surfing city of Lima, Peru. In the years to come, the event will be held in different spots around the world.

Three

The International Surfing Association (ISA), the sport's World Governing Body as recognized by the International Olympic Committee, decided to hold a special event for StandUp Paddlers and Paddleboarders due to the increasing talent level and popularity of these disciplines on a global level. The decision proved to be the right one, as the ISA has witnessed much interest from SUPers and Paddleboarders to represent his or her country in this groundbreaking event.

Four

The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship will mark the third year in a row that Peru holds an ISA event produced by Latin Pro and the Peruvian Surfing Federation, FENTA. In 2011, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship took place in Punta Hermosa, and in 2010 the ISA World Surfing Games were also held there.

Five

Peru won the hosting bid over other candidate nations because of its great commitment to a better surfing future, its ideal coastal conditions for the event and also to help develop SUP and Paddleboarding in the region. The accommodations of the legendary Waikiki Surf Club are perfect for an event of this magnitude, and will serve as the event's headquarters.

Six

Over 140 SUPers and Paddleboarders from more than 17 countries will be competing in the event. It will feature the following divisions with the maximum number of competitors per country in parenthesis:
SUP Surfing Men (2) and Women (1)

SUP Racing Men (2) and Women (1)
-Technical (Sprint) SUP Racing Men and Women
-Marathon SUP Racing Men and Women

Paddleboard Racing Men (2) and Women (1)
-Marathon Paddleboard Racing Men and Women

Paddle Team Relay
-Sup Racing Men (1) and Women (1)
-Paddleboard Men (1) and Women (1)

Seven

The inaugural edition of the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship will officially open on February 19, 2012 at Lima's Parque Kennedy with the Parade of the Nations and the Sands of the World Ceremony.

The participating countries will pour sand from their favorite local beaches into the same box, representing the peaceful union of the nations through the love of the sport of surfing.

Full schedule below
Saturday, February 18
Arrivals and Team Registration

Sunday, February 19
Arrivals and Team Registration (closes at noon)
Parade of the Nations and Opening Ceremony

Monday, February 20
Press Conference
Judges Workshop
Team Managers Meeting

Tuesday, February 21
Competition Begins
Day 1
HEATS - SUP Surfing (Men and Women) @ La Pampilla

Wednesday, February 22
Day 2
HEATS - SUP Surfing (Men and Women) @ La Pampilla
FINAL - Prone Paddleboard (Women) @ La Pampilla (Herradura to La Pampilla)

Thursday, February 23
Day 3
HEATS - SUP Surfing (Men and Women) @ La Pampilla
FINAL - Prone Paddleboard (Men) @ La Pampilla (Herradura to La Pampilla)

Friday, 24 Feb
Day 4
HEATS - SUP Technical (Women) @ Chorrillos
HEATS - SUP Technical (Men) @ Chorrillos
HEATS - ISA Team Relay @ Chorrillos
FINAL - SUP Technical (Women) @ Chorrillos
FINAL - SUP Technical (Men) @ Chorrillos
FINAL - ISA Team Relay @ Chorrillos

Saturday, February 25
Day 5
FINAL - SUP Marathon (Women) @ La Pampilla (La Punta to La Pampilla)
FINAL - SUP Marathon Men @ La Pampilla (La Punta to La Pampilla)
SEMI-FINAL & FINAL - SUP Surf (Men and Women) @ La Pampilla
ISA Closing Ceremony

Eight

Traditional SUP and Paddleboarding powerhouses like Australia, Hawaii, USA and Brazil have confirmed their participation in the event. Ten-time Molokai to Oahu paddleboarding champion and world-renowned waterman, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) will be a strong contender in the 20 kilometers marathon race. Hawaiians Kai Lenny and Connor Baxter will be forces to be reckoned with in the SUP Surfing division, along with local Peruvian legend José "Jarita" Gómez.

Nine

The SUP Surfing World Championship will be determined at the perfect rights of Lima's La Pampilla with its long, rock-bottom waves. The 20-kilometer marathon will run from La Herradura to La Pampilla, starting in the neighborhood of Chorrillos, crossing Surco, and finishing in Miraflores.

Ten

Quick Facts
-The Waikiki Surf Club was founded in 1942 by the father of Peruvian surfing, Carlos Dogny. It's one of the oldest surfing clubs in the world.

-Eduardo Arena, founder of the International Surfing Federation, was raised in Lima and began his surfing life in front of the Waikiki Club.

-The boards used for the racing competitions must have a maximum length of 12'6'' (over 3.5 meters).