The 2025 ICF World Championship in Abu Dhabi brought together the world’s fastest Stand Up Paddle racers. Under the blazing sun and in challenging conditions, Starboard athletes were unstoppable, claiming a total of 19 medals: 8 Gold, 3 Silver, and 8 Bronze.

This outstanding result reflects Starboard’s dedication to performance-driven design. When world-class training meets our advanced board technology, champions are made. 

Racing in Abu Dhabi: Heat, Skill, and High-Speed Turns

From 29 October to 2 November 2025, the world’s best SUP racers came to Abu Dhabi for the ICF World Championships. Over 400 paddlers from nearly 50 countries took part, making it a tough and exciting competition.

Abu Dhabi delivered both beauty and challenge. With temperatures over 30°C (86°F), endurance and focus were tested at every stage.

The Technical Race demanded explosive turns and precision control on the 1 km course — a true test of board responsiveness. The 10 km Long Distance pushed paddlers to their limits, where the smooth glide of Starboard boards made every stroke count.

Starboard’s Champions: Leading the Way

🌟 Aaron Sanchez

Spain – 🥇 Gold (Technical) | 🥈 Silver (Long Distance)

Aaron Sanchez’s gold-winning performance in the Men’s Technical Race was a masterclass in control and precision.

Riding his Starboard All Star, he maintained perfect balance through every pivot turn and handled the course with confident flow. Aaron took the lead in the final laps and crossed the finish line ahead of the field — a composed and well-earned victory. His additional Silver in Long Distance highlighted his consistency across race formats.

“From the sea to the sky.”

This ICF World Championship has allowed me to achieve a dream I’ve had since I first started paddling. It’s been a long journey, but I’ve enjoyed every step — and I could only do it thanks to all the people who’ve been by my side.

Thanks to @starboardsup for giving me the tools to make this possible, to my family for always believing in me, and to everyone who supports this sport and keeps its true spirit alive. - Aaron Sanchez

🌟 Alba Frey

Spain – 🥈 Silver (Technical) | 🥉🥉 Bronze (Sprint, Long Distance)

Alba Frey had an outstanding performance at the 2025 ICF World Championships, reaching the podium three times in three very different races: Sprint, Technical, and Long Distance. This remarkable achievement shows that a top SUP rider doesn’t need to focus on just one discipline — skill, consistency, and smart racing can deliver success across all formats.

Riding her Starboard All Star paired with Lima Paddle, Alba kept strong, smooth strokes and stayed in control even under tough heat and challenging course conditions. Her results highlight the reliability and speed of Starboard equipment for paddlers who want to perform at their best — no matter the distance or race type.

🌟 Andrey Kraytor

Bulgaria – 🥉 Bronze (Sprint) | 🥇Gold (Inflatable) 

Andrey Kraytor proved his speed and skill on the world stage with a Bronze in the Men’s Sprint, riding the Starboard Sprint — a board built for top-level speed on flat water.

He also claimed Gold in the Inflatable Race on the new Inflatable Starboard All Star with Quick Tension System, showing that Starboard riders can perform at their best across different formats. Andrey’s results highlight both his talent and the versatility of Starboard race boards.

"Still fresh after the Worlds… 🌍 3rd in Sprint – it was meant to happen. I felt it, and that’s the beauty of sport. The bar was raised again by @sergiocantoral_ and I’m grateful for that – it keeps me hungry. After the semis I thought, wow, the speed here is unreal! And that’s what I love – that fire to create something new again.

Full respect to everyone, the field was so close this year, tiny margins decided everything. The final was pure class. 💥

Also happy with my Inflatable Race – every year it gets tougher, more competitive, and more solid.' - Andrey Kraytor

🌟 Sujeong Lim

 

Korea – 🥇🥇 Gold (Masters Technical, Long Distance) | 🥇 Gold (Inflatable)

Korea’s Sujeong Lim achieved a rare Triple Gold victory in the Women’s 40+ division. Her calm focus and powerful glide carried her to the top across three races — a true display of consistency, endurance, and racing talent.

 

 

“The competition was intense, but the genuine congratulations and encouragement at the finish made these moments even more special. Racing toward the same goal together, feeling everyone’s effort, made it one of the hottest and most memorable experiences. I hope that next year, we can meet again on the same water. 🌊” – Sujeong Lim

🌟 Tatsuma Nishikawa

 

Japan – 🥇 Gold (Junior Technical) | 🥇 Gold (Junior Long Distance)

Young gun Tatsuma Nishikawa dominated the Junior Men’s category with two Golds. His back-to-back victories in Technical and Long Distance races highlight his speed, skill, and determination. Tatsuma’s focus, confidence, and fearless racing show that the next generation of SUP talent is ready to shine on the world stage.

 

 

“I was able to finish 4th in the sprint and 1st in both the technical and distance races this time. I’m truly happy with these results, as they reflect all the training I’ve done in my new training and the effort I put in to prepare for this competition. It has given me new motivation to take on future challenges. I also want to thank all the athletes I raced with. Competing against them made me proud, and it was an incredible and truly enjoyable experience. Next year, I’m aiming for the triple crown.” – Tatsuma Nishikawa