Youth SUP Racing Program In Mexico Announces New Leadership

SAYULITA, Mexico - Sayulita JR SUP Team, a Mexican based youth paddleboard race training program announces a change in its leadership. The Sayulita JR SUP Team is a grassroots youth organization that aims to provide outstanding coaching to all skill levels while shaping well rounded, confident, involved youth with world-class ocean mastery and knowledge. The training program is one of the most established youth paddleboard programs in the sport and the largest of its kind in Mexico.

The Sayulita JR SUP Team was formed in 2015 by professional SUP racers, Shelby Taylor and Bicho Jimenez. Since then, they have been committed to developing the team and offering local kids world-class training that has brought program to the the highest profile events in North and South America. In 2021, the couple will step aside to focus on raising their young family and welcome veteran paddler, Rafael “Rafa” Apodaca, as the new Head Coach.

Apodaca has been an assistant coach with the Team for over 2 years and brings several years of SUP racing experience and a lifetime of athletic training to the head coaching position. Originally from Guadalajara, Rafa moved to Sayulita in 2007, where he could pursue his passions for surf, fishing and outdoor recreation.

As the new head coach, Rafa hopes to continue to elevate the profile of the program and garner additional SUP industry support. Rafa says, “My biggest goal for this coming year is to see the Team travel again to competitions outside Mexico and continue building relationships with other young paddlers and JR SUP racing programs”. In the long term, Rafa hopes that a high-performance athletic center is established in Sayulita to cater for ocean sports for the youth.

Groms hitting the water. | Photo courtesy: Sayulita Jr. SUP Team.

Learn more about the Sayulita JR SUP Team below.

Website: www.sayulitajrsupteam.com
Facebook: @JRstandupmex
Instagram: @sayulitajr.supteam