2025 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Opens in Surf City El Salvador

169 Athletes from 27 National Teams Gather for Twelfth Edition of the Championship

Competition to Begin Tomorrow With SUP Surfing

Surf City El Salvador – November 10, 2025

The 2025 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) was officially declared open today, as Surf City El Salvador welcomed the world’s best SUP and paddleboard athletes at the Opening Ceremony to begin the twelfth edition of the event.

A total of 169 athletes, representing 27 national teams, joined the festivities as local culture was celebrated. The ISA’s traditional Sands of the World Ceremony then opened the formal proceedings, with a flagbearer and sand-pourer from each team pouring sand from their home beaches into a single container, symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through surfing.

The athletes gathered were represented on stage by Carlos Alonso (ESP), who swore an oath of good sportsmanship alongside ISA Race Official Anthony Vela. Also present on stage were El Salvador Tourism Minister Morena Valdez and ISA Executive Director Robert Fasulo.

This is the second time the WSUPPC has been hosted by Surf City El Salvador, and the eleventh major ISA World Championship to take place in the tropical Central American destination. The 2019 WSUPPC marked the beginning of the strong partnership between the ISA and Surf City El Salvador, a relationship that is already confirmed to continue through 2027.

Speaking by video, ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“We know this is going to be another great event with our friends and partners in El Salvador, President Bukele, Minister Morena Valdez, and the whole team. It is amazing how El Salvador has changed in just a few years of partnership with the ISA. We are very proud, very excited, and look forward to another amazing competition.

“The ISA continues our commitment to the cause of having SUP included in the world’s most important stage, the Olympic Games. I know we were turned down for LA, but we’re already working for Brisbane, Australia, for the 2032 Olympic Games. So rest assured that what you’re doing there today, how you interact with your friends, fans and family, in your social media around the world, everything helps. Your voice will be heard and it’s always heard.

“So have a good time. Enjoy the camaraderie. Enjoy the warm food, the warm people, the warm weather, the warm water of El Salvador.”

El Salvador Tourism Minister, Morena Valdez, said: 

“Welcome to El Salvador, welcome to Surf City. I see many familiar faces from 2019 and many new ones, so welcome to these warm waves, and to the warm hearts of our Salvadoran people. From the very first day of training, I felt the camaraderie and the connection to the sea. We are prepared to show you the best of El Salvador, and you will always be welcomed here.”

The 2025 WSUPPC will begin with women’s SUP Surfing at 7:00 a.m. CST, Tuesday, November 11, at El Sunzal.