In 2024, the Danish capital hosts the ISA SUP World Championships, where the best athletes will compete in the very heart of Copenhagen. In 2017, they also competed for the World titles in Copenhagen. Now, they are returning after the event has been staged in China, El Salvador, and Puerto Rico.
The combination of clean blue water in Copenhagen’s canals, as well as an arena in the heart of the capital with a great focus on green transformation and popular activation, has contributed to the fact that he International Surfing Association (ISA), awards the SUP World Championships to Copenhagen for the second time.
ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said:
“After the amazing success of last year’s event in Puerto Rico, we are very excited to bring our SUP World Championships to two great nations with a strong tradition in Stand Up paddling and surfing.
“With this announcement, the ISA reaffirms its full commitment to the global growth and development of this discipline, also at an Olympic level.
“Our message to the SUP athletes around the world and to the global SUP community is, we continue to support you and work hard to create a platform to showcase your talents and this fantastic sport.
“Together with our partners in France and Denmark, I have no doubt that we will see new records of participation and growth for the event and the sport in 2023 and 2024.”
Surf & SUP Denmark, together with the Municipality of Copenhagen, Wonderful Copenhagen, and Sport Event Denmark, has been awarded the championship from ISA in 2024.
“We plan for at least 60 nations to participate in these SUP World Championships displaying Copenhagen to many corners of the World. The pictures from 2017 with the world’s best SUP athletes in front of the Opera House are still vivid in the memory of a fantastic World Championship – for the sport and Denmark. In collaboration with the Municipality of Copenhagen, Wonderful Copenhagen, and Sport Event Denmark, we are looking forward to adding even more activation to the event and focusing even more on sustainable hosting,” said Jakob Færch, president of Surf & SUP Denmark.
In addition to the World Championship itself, there are plans for a popular and festive setting in the city, with the ambition also to stage one of the world’s largest recreational SUP events, Copenhagen SUP Crossing. The event will be part of “Copenhagen City Paddle Festival,” including many activities for all ages. Watching the elite athletes compete in Copenhagen will also be free.
Sport Event Denmark
“The fact that Copenhagen stage SUP World Championship for the second time is unique. Regard it’s as a host you want to return to in Denmark. For Surf & SUP Denmark, the Municipality of Copenhagen, Wonderful Copenhagen, and Sport Event Denmark, it allows us to draw on the many experiences we have in setting a festive scene with a professional set-up that can unite people,” said Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.
Wonderful Copenhagen
“We are thrilled to attract the SUP World Championships to Denmark’s capital in collaboration with Surf & SUP Denmark, the Municipality of Copenhagen, and Sport Event Denmark. Events are an important part of big-city tourism. The SUP Worlds take place in the autumn and both in the city and out on the beach of Amager. This is a good example of how events can contribute to attracting visitors outside the high season,” said Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, managing director of Wonderful Copenhagen.
City of Copenhagen
“It is my ambition that we can offer sporting and cultural events every year to Copenhageners and our visitors. Events that bring us together. Therefore, it is really gratifying that we will once again welcome some of the world’s best surfers at the World Championships in Copenhagen. It is both an opportunity to show our fantastic harbor and clean bathing water to the world, and a great pleasure for Copenhageners who love water sports. It is crucial that the big events in Copenhagen also involve Copenhageners and offer a positive experience for everyone,” says Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.