Spanish surge, Rivera rules, Sey Chelle inspires: SUP 2025 season review

Rivera's clean sweep 

When Mariecarmen Rivera arrived in Abu Dhabi, it was clear that she was a paddler on a mission. Having previously failed to win a world title, there was no way that Rivera was leaving the Emirati city without a gold medal around her neck. Such was her drive, one gold was simply not enough. After making history by winning a first-ever world crown for Puerto Rico, Rivera claimed two more as she emerged victorious across the sprint, technical and long distance categories. Her golden hat-trick in Abu Dhabi also ensured she finished the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Ranking Series in first place in sprint, second in long distance and third in the technical standings.   

Spanish show need for speed 

Aaron Sanchez Quetglas was involved in a thrilling tussle with Japan’s Shuri Araki before finding a brilliant turn of pace. His sudden acceleration saw Sanchez Quetglas not only overhaul Araki but pull away from the Japanese star as he surged to victory in the men’s technical. His victory came just 24 hours after Sergio Cantoral also demonstrated great pace to clinch the men’s sprint gold medal by the narrowest of margins.  This was not Spain’s only medal success in Abu Dhabi as Sanchez Quetglas earned technical silver, Alba Alonso Frey achieved sprint silver and technical bronze and Duna Gordillo claimed long distance silver at the World Championships in Abi Dhabi. 

Sey Chelle is an inspiration 

Just one week before the World Championships got underway, Sey Chelle took to social media to reveal that she was three months pregnant. But there was no way that the American paddler was going to miss the World Championships. Sey Chelle said she had been suffering sickness and fatigue in the build-up to the ICF flagship event, but she still delivered on the biggest stage. Sey Chelle pulled off a stunning showing to win sprint bronze and participated in the technical and long distance categories, proving to be an inspiration to many.  

UAE make history as SUP excites Middle East 

For the first time in history, the ICF staged one of its World Championships in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi provided the perfect setting for SUP competition with races taking place against the backdrop of the Grand Mosque. As well as welcoming the world’s best paddlers, they also set the stage for athletes from the UAE to prove themselves against the elite in SUP. Madhad Almheiri and Edgar Pampols were among eight paddlers representing the UAE in Abu Dhabi. With the help of Paddlers Hub UAE, led by Olympic Canoe Sprint medallist Krisztian Bartfai, and the Emirates Canoe and Rafting Federation, SUP is growing in the UAE and across the Middle East.  

Teenagers get their kicks as Araki and Kocsis star 

At just 19 years old, Japan’s Araki can already lay claim to being a double world champion. After making history with his long distance gold medal at last year’s World Championships, Araki backed it up with an impressive victory in Abu Dhabi. He suffered the disappointment of losing out to Sanchez Quetglas in the men’s technical before bouncing back to win the long distance gold. He also starred in the ICF SUP World Ranking Series which featured legs in Austria, Italy and Greece before the World Championships in Abu Dhabi Another teenager to do superbly on the ICF circuit this year was Hungary’s Csillag Kocsis as the 18-year-old topped the technical category in the series after stunning results. 

Picture by Andy Klotz Photography