Organization of maritime competitions World SUP Festival
The event takes place each spring in the waters around Alicante and has faced a pause for the 2024 edition, with plans to resume in 2025.
In its most recent iteration, the fair, which has grown substantially in recent years, was held in April 2023. It attracted more than 300 participants from 31 countries across six continents. The festival serves as a broad test of the region, drawing spectators and teams from far and wide, including families traveling from Japan. The event generates a meaningful economic impact for the hospitality and tourism sectors in the province.
Due to the challenge of securing the necessary support and sponsorship to stage an event of this scale, the organizers chose to suspend the 2024 edition and postpone it to 2025.
Daniel Parres, the organizer of the World SUP Festival, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting that the World SUP Festival family does not deserve anything less. He emphasized that those who attend are part of a large SUP community. The decision was driven by financial considerations after four editions, during which the club took a significant risk. The realities of funding and startup pressures added stress, but the organizing team remained hopeful and committed to moving forward with perseverance.
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Parres recalls that the last edition set new records on multiple fronts, not only for the number of participating countries but also for its international and national influence. After four years, the event has established itself as one of the most relevant competitions worldwide in the sport of nautical recreation and one of the most important events in the Valencian Community, including Alicante and Santa Pola.
The organizer confirms that there is a desire to collaborate with government bodies, including the Generalitat Valenciana, the Provincial Council of Alicante, and local authorities in Alicante and Santa Pola. The goal is to improve and secure financing options for the festival, provide the necessary security, and develop brand partnerships and sponsorships. The enthusiasm to keep the event alive remains strong, as stated by Parres.
He concludes by acknowledging the feelings of the expansive SUP community, expressing regret that the fifth edition cannot be presented next year. The hope is to return with renewed strength and enthusiasm in a future edition, if circumstances allow.