SUP Race Distances

 

The Standardization of SUP Race Distances

Running and stand up paddle boarding have a lot in common. The similarities start when you leave behind the fact that one is done on terra firma and the other on water. Both sports can be considered the most accessible sports in their respective environments, their ease of participation is simple yet can still create a challenge, both require only a friend to race against for competition and both maintain a great sense of community.  We could go on but you get the point. Despite the obvious differences, running and paddling are pretty similar!

One big difference between the two sports is that organized running competitions have been around for much longer than SUP racing.

Instead of reinventing a magic formula for stand up paddle race formats, SUPAA has taken cues from running and other racing sports to propose standardized race distances.

The SUPAA 5K Short Distance, 10K Mid-Distance, 16K Pro Distance and 52K Ultra Distance courses are all written into the 2014 SUPAA Rulebook. We encourage race directors and athletes to provide feedback on these distances so we can work toward unified global race distances.

Not all events will fit into these exact distances, but we believe many can. There will still be opportunities for alternate distances with the SUPAA unlimited course option.

The SUPAA unlimited course is any course approved by SUPAA race officials as ...more