Crete on the world SUP stage – 10 years of Agios Nikolaos on SUP

The anniversary of Agios Nikolaos on SUP, which celebrated its 10th year this year, on May 3 and 4, was completed with absolute success and international brilliance. The top Greek stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) competition, hosted in Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi, was once again a reference point in the world calendar of the sport, as one of the five stops of the ICF World Ranking Series 2025.

More than 200 athletes from 23 countries attended a four-day event full of intensity, passion, and impressive competition, in a competition that combined international appeal with local hospitality and tourist extroversion. The technical and long-distance races held in Almyros and along the coastal zone to Spinalonga offered strong emotions and highlighted Shuri Araki (Japan) and Mariecarmen Rivera (Puerto Rico) as double winners in the men's and women's categories, respectively.

The organizer and its mainstay for many years, Michalis Farsaris, president of NASAN and SUP superintendent of the Hellenic Federation, continued to set the tone for the event, which has developed into an international standard. Also playing a decisive role are DAEAN with its president George Astroulakis, the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, the Region of Crete, the TOURIX team, and, of course, the local community, which warmly supports the institution every year.

This year's anniversary was accompanied by innovations and intense symbolism. Agios Nikolaos on SUP hosted for the first time a dual-purpose race: World Ranking and Panhellenic Championship, confirming the event’s place on the global SUP map. The conditions in the technical race were demanding, with strong wind and waves, while over the long distance, the participants were faced with a diverse and unpredictable scenery.

Special mention deserves the young Greek athletes in the U18 category, who stood out for their competitiveness and performance, proving that the future of Greek SUP is already here.

The event closed with emotion and honor in memory of the great Amandine Chazot, who was a symbol of the event and a beloved figure of the SUP community. Agios Nikolaos on SUP is not just a race – it is a celebration of sports, community, and international fame, establishing Crete as a global sports tourism destination.

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