Background
The 2021 SUP (Stand Up Paddling) event is the high-end water sports for real SUPer fanatics. But what makes this 2021 SUP race event so special for the Chinese? Here’s the good news!
China’s first indoor SUP race kicks off at ISPO in Shanghai on July 3, 2021.
Stand-up paddle in China? That’s the instant reaction among many Chinese. But you heard it right.
Sam Shen, CMO of Shanghai Easigo Outdoor Equipment, said “Chinese don’t jump right into the water, we’re a bit more reserved here.”
However, the times are changing slowly. Shen, the distributor of stand-up paddleboards in China, said “The younger generation is completely different. They do outdoor sports and try everything out. And now the Chinese are also discovering water sports. Their habits are changing tremendously.”
Nowadays, Chinese people have begun to shed their aversion to water. And of course, the stand-up paddling community continues to expand in China.
As a result, the stand-up paddle race is set to get underway on July 3, 2021, with the opening ceremony and SUP surfing highly anticipated in Shanghai, China.
Waves are expected to greet the SUP participants at China’s renowned exhibition center, Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), creating the best platform for the SUPers to put their skills on display.
Stand Up Paddle Board Race 2021 Event Overview:
Here is the overview report of this 2021 SUP racing event:
- Date & Time of the Race Event: July 3, 2021, 13:00pm – 17:30pm
- Location: Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) N1.361
- Race: Indoor SUP
- Organizer: Shanghai Yingbang Culture Communication Co.
- Board Type: 14 feet or below inflatable SUP
- Prize money:
- First place: 1000 RMB
- Second place: 800RMB
- Third place: 500RMB
Stand Up Paddle Board Race Venue
The Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) is one of the world’s most reputed exhibition centers located in Pudong, Shanghai. Apart from hosting many exhibitions, it has hosted the 2002 Tennis Masters Cup in 2002 as well. This center involves a capacity of 200,000 square meters indoor as well as 100,000 square meters outdoor area. Both subway station and hotel facilities are found at one of the entrance halls of SNIEC.
There will be a parking lot as well for the full day. In case you want to go for a tour in Shanghai, this is a wonderful opportunity.
Transportation
- By car from the Shanghai city center over the NanPu Bridge as well as through Pudong
- By underground – takes 23 minutes from the Shanghai city center
- By metro train – Easily accessible from Pudong International Airport through the newly built transrapid rail. LongYang Road metro station is the downtime station which is only 600 meters from SNIEC.
Run Down – Indoor Sup Championship 2021
| Events | Time |
| SUP participants registration | 13:00 |
| Opening ceremony: Chairman opening speech | 13:30 |
| Group photos | 13:05 |
| Pre-race warm-up | 13:15 |
| Race briefing | 13:40 |
| SUP race | 14:00 |
| Prize distribution open Men group open Women group junior group | 16:30 |
| Closing ceremony: Closing speech | 17:00 |
| *The schedule may be subjected to change. SNIEC reserves the right to a final decision. |
Stand Up Paddle Board Race 2021 Event Coverage:
Competition preparation phase
On the show floor, ISPO Shanghai 2021 event is ready to redefine our life in water sports with a new perspective on cross-border mountain culture, skiing, camping life, rock, climbing, and running, together constituting ISPO Water Village – ISPO Water Fun.
This 300 square meters large pool provides paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, water yoga, mermaid, and other water sports experience.
Competition start phase
Group & Number
There are three groups in this paddleboard racing event:
- Men’s group
- Women’s group
- Junior group
Both men and women groups consist of 30 each. The junior group includes 20 people. It should be noted that each player can compete in only one category.
Pre-race scheduling:
The schedule will be set up before the start of this race. The assignment of these contestants is completely computer randomized.
According to historical race results, 2020 CSCL finalists and 2021 Nanxun Paddleboard Open finalists will be prioritized as seeding contestants, followed by the other remaining contestants.
Race Map:
Two racers start from the two ends of the pool. They should sprint in a straight line in a seated position. Once after circling two figure eights as shown in the figure, the racer should follow the order of circling as shown in the mark:
Left around – right around – left around – right around.
And the finishing line should be the middle line of the pool.
Weather condition
Next, the weather condition plays a vital role. During the last stand-up paddleboard race, the participants were rewarded with bright sunlight after rain and wind. Let us hope that the 2021 weather conditions stay supportive!
After diligent training, the level of participants is very high.
Rules and Regulations
All races run in accordance with the SNIEC Rules and Regulations. Hence, all participants are requested to make themselves familiar with the race rules and regulations.
- All participants must register for their entry at the registry and attend the ‘safety briefing’ 30 minutes before the beginning of the race. Failure to comply shall result in disqualification from the race.
- Once the entry is accepted, the entry fee cannot be refunded or transferred under any circumstances.
- Participants who use their own SUP board should meet the requirements of the SNIEC.
- All participants should use the single-blade paddle and remain in a standing position on their board during the race.
- Participants should be mindful of the hand signals to be used. Paddle or hands up in the air and waving can be done which indicates danger and you are in need of help
- As the race starts, participants are advised to reduce the noise and keep the area clean by disposing the wastes appropriately
- The event will be cancelled or suspended if there occurs any accident since participants’ safety seems to be the first priority.
- Any participant who contravenes rules and regulations will be disqualified, and are not entitled to any award
- SNIEC has the final decision on race results and will not approve any dispute of the race results at any time.
Competition in progress
Whoever wins this round will get selected for the pre-final system.
The top eight participants who finish the round in the pre-final will enter the final phase.
Competition end phase
Among the top eight participants, the top three who finish the round in the final will be awarded the prize certificates.
Ultimately, timing matters in this competition. The one who covers the round quickly in short duration will be the winner.
Award phase
- Group
This SUP race 2021 will be an open group. The limit will be only fifteen people, including male and female.
- Tournament system
There will be only one final round. The top ten winners will be awarded a certificate.
- Race Awards
They are applicable to all three divisions.
- Prize money
- The first prize will be the cash prize of 1000 RMB
- The second prize will be the cash prize of 800RMB
- The third prize will be the cash prize of 500RMB
These first three prizes are sponsored by ISPO sponsors.
The Upshot?
Hope you have understood the significance of this 2021 SUP event in China and the overview of this event explained in phases. As mentioned already, this is the first indoor stand-up paddleboard race in China.
Join this event with your stand-up paddleboards and make it a thrilling season to remember. Even if you are not participating, wouldn’t you like to watch this event directly for the first time in your own country and get goosebumps? Do watch out and enjoy the enthralling moment！