History will be made when Abu Dhabi stages this year’s International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships.
It will be the first time the United Arab Emirates has held a major event in any of the ICF’s disciplines.
Excitement is continuing to ramp up for the ICF SUP World Championships that will be held from October 29 to November 2.
Registration has now opened for the ICF flagship event where athletes will have the chance to compete for the biggest prizes in SUP.
World titles will be on offer for men and women in sprint, technical and long distance.
An early bird price for participation is available from now until the end of March with the first 100 athletes to register receiving a 20 per cent discount.
Races will be staged at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri which is nestled between a pristine one-kilometre-long private beach and lush gardens, offering breathtaking views of the Khor Al Maqta creek and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Registration details as well as information on transport and accommodation can all be found in the first bulletin on the World Championships which has been published on the ICF website.
“It’s a great opportunity for not only the UAE but also for the ICF to break into a region where there is significant potential for the sport,” said Jason MacKenzie, Technical Organiser of the Host Organising Committee.
“It’s a luxurious location with great views and you can do everything you need to do on site.
“The water will be nice and calm at that time of year and you can expect nice sunny weather.”
MacKenzie said the accessibility of the UAE makes it an ideal location for this global event with two thirds of the world’s population able to reach the country within eight hours.
“The UAE is positioned in the centre of the world, so we have great connections and there is also visa-free access upon arrival for so many countries,” said MacKenzie.
“That makes a huge difference.
“It means you are going to draw competitors from the region that have probably never been to an ICF event before.
“I am expecting that we are going to get many paddlers from countries like Bahrain, Qatar, Iran and North Africa and a lot of people who would not normally travel to Europe or North America.
“So there is easy access in terms of travel, easy access in terms of visa applications and it’s an opportunity for the ICF to develop in the UAE.”
MacKenzie is also excited about the growth of SUP in the region and believes competitors will relish the “festival atmosphere” that will be created by the Emirati organisers.
“The UAE congregates tens of millions of tourists every year,” said MacKenzie.
“It’s a very well-developed sports tourism destination.
“We also want to create a legacy that extends beyond this event and encourages citizens of the UAE to engage in water sports activities for years to come.
“I find SUP is very inclusive. It has so much potential because it is accessible for almost everyone.
“The World Championships will be a very competitive event but it’s also going to be a lot of fun.
“We are going to have a DJ on the ground, lots of food stalls and entertainment and a big beach party after the event.
“There will be a festival atmosphere so people will have a great time here.”
Noemi Horvath, Chair of the ICF SUP Committee, added: “Abu Dhabi is a wonderful location for this year’s World Championships.
“It offers superb conditions for paddling so I’m expecting high-quality races and due to how well connected the country is to the world I’m anticipating new nations participating at the World Championships.
“With the early bird offer now available, it’s important to register as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out on this fantastic deal.”
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