Starboard proudly welcomes Shuri Araki to its Racing Team, marking an exciting new collaboration between the world’s leading SUP brand and one of the most powerful SUP athletes of recent years.
Known for his explosive speed, technical precision, and consistent podium performances, Shuri Araki represents the next generation of elite stand up paddle racing. Raised in Okinawa, Japan - surrounded by deep ocean and world-heritage waters - Shuri developed his paddling skills from a very young age through downwind paddling and foiling, guided by his father as coach.
Today, Shuri is recognised as a leading force in international SUP competition, with a strong focus on performance, paddling technique, and equipment development.
Growing Up on the Start Line
Shuri grew up on race beaches. From a young age, he followed the majour SUP events and paddling alongside the sport’s biggest names. Training and racing next to legends like Michael Booth and Connor Baxter as a junior gave him early exposure to elite competition - experiences that helped shape his style, confidence, and hunger to compete at the highest level.
Now, Shuri lines up on the start line next to the same legends he once watched as a kid. Competing in the Open Class, he’s delivering standout performances on the international stage - proof that years of dedication, early race exposure, and hard-earned experience have turned him into one of the strongest forces in SUP racing today.
A New Chapter with Starboard SUP
Joining Starboard marks an important new chapter in Shuri’s racing journey — one driven not only by competition, but by creativity and progression.
“I’m very excited to join the best team on planet Earth.” — Shuri Araki
With his sights set firmly on the 2026 season, Shuri is already focused on what comes next.
“My goal is to become ICF & ISA Unified World Champion again in 2026. I also want to share how my father and I have developed our paddling skills and technique — especially to inspire young and motivated junior paddlers around the world.”
For Shuri, this partnership goes beyond racing. It’s also about bringing his ideas to life — working closely with his father, Tatsuma Araki, and Starboard’s R&D team to develop his signature board and turn years of training, testing, and racing feedback into real performance-driven design. Follow along and stay tuned for the first updates.
No matter how far racing takes him, Shuri stays connected to where it all began. His favourite training spot is still right outside his door in Okinawa, surrounded by deep blue ocean.
“Of course in front of my house. The beautiful blue ocean of Okinawa Island. I grew up with deep-ocean downwind paddling and foiling since I was very little.”
Driven by constant progression, Shuri continues to push boundaries both on the water and in equipment development.
“Developing new paddling techniques and new board designs motivates me the most right now.”
Starboard is proud to welcome Shuri Araki to the team, strengthening its commitment to athlete-led development and high-performance SUP racing, and looking forward to exciting seasons of competition and innovation ahead.
