Crete to Host International Stand-up Paddling Competition

The town of Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete is preparing to host an international stand-up paddling (SUP) competition later this month.

Scheduled to take place during September 24-25, the “Agios Nikolaos on SUP” event will host professional and amateur athletes from all over the world who will compete for prizes worth over 6,000 euros.

“Agios Nikolaos on SUP” will take place for the seventh time and this year offer participants a high-quality competition while visitors will have the chance to enjoy an exciting event.

The competition will take place in the sea area between Plaka, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos marina and Kalo Chorio, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

The provisional program of the event is as follows:

Friday, September 23
● 10am – 2pm: opening of the secretariat and athletes’ package pickup
● 5pm – 9pm: athletes’ packages pickup
● 8pm: welcome party – TBA.

Saturday, September 24
● 8am: opening of the secretariat (EOT beach – Kimzu) or Voulisma
● 11am: technical briefing for technical and sprint SUP
● 11.30am: sprint SUP
● 12.30pm: technical SUP
● SUP awards ceremony
● 7pm: men’s/women’s SUP sprint final in the lake – awards.

Sunday, September 25:
● 10.30am: technical briefing 14km SUP Plaka beach – Spinalonga
● 11am: 14 km SUP starting from Plaka beach – Spinalonga
● 11.15am: technical briefing 10km SUP on the beach at Mylous, Elounda (Windmills Poros Elounda)
● 11.30am: 10 km SUP starting point is the beach at Mylous Elounda (Windmills Poros Elounda)
● 11.45am: technical information briefing 4km SUP – Havania beach
● 12pm: 4 km starting point – Havania beach
● 2pm: awards ceremony – 10km SUP/ 4km SUP
● 18pm: awards ceremony 14 km SUP.

For more information on registrations, schedule and routes visit the official website of the event at https://agiosonsup.gr/.

The event is organized by the SUP-surf Sports Association of Heraklion, the Nautical Sports Association of Agios Nikolaos and the Municipal Cultural and Sports Organization of Agios Nikolaos in collaboration with the Region of Crete.

According to the organizers, this year’s event is dedicated to Thanos Karaiskos, a pioneer and the “father” of SUP on Crete who had contributed significantly to the development of the sport in Greece.