The Big Paddle Festival and the Odra SUP Cup will be the next events in the European SUP League before the summer
Following the success of the first two ESL (European SUP League) events in 2026, the last two weeks of June promise to be packed with excitement for this European Stand Up Paddle circuit. Switzerland and Poland will be the next countries to host the ESL and the international SUP community: the Big Paddle Festival and the Odra SUP Cup await us.
Two major events that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on this first half of the year in terms of competition and growth, both for the athletes and for the ESL. Let’s find out a bit more about these upcoming events!
Big Paddle Festival (Suiza)
Zürich will bring the circuit to an urban and natural setting of great international prestige. The city is located by Lake Zürich and its rivers, in an environment closely linked to water sports and stand up paddle, which has become a very popular activity there. The lake, surrounded by hills, piers, and leisure areas, offers a highly attractive combination of sport, landscape, and city, making this venue one of the most unique stops on the European tour. (Zuerich)
📅 June 19–21, 2026 | 📍 Richterswil, Zúrich, Suiza | 🏁 European SUP League / WWR / Zürcher Kanton.
Race Categories
- SUP Technical Race.
- SUP Long Distance.
- SUP Sprint.
Other formats:
- Open and amateur activities.
- The Big Paddle Challenge (18.5 km).
- Popular races.
Prize Money
- 9.000 € – Total
- 3.000 € – SUP Technical Race
- 3.000 € – SUP Long Distance
- 3.000 € – SUP Sprint
News and highlights
The New 18.5km Challenge 👉🏼 A new panoramic route across Lake Zurich. 18.5 km of open water, islands, and alpine views. No race. No pressure. Just one goal: finish
The Swiss Paddle Cup 👉🏼 For another year, we are welcoming paddlers from all disciplines and backgrounds to join TheBigPaddle Challange. Surfskis, Outrigger, Canoe, Kayak, doesn’t matter the craft, join us!
SUP Suisse Tour Stop 👉🏼 Swiss Athletes get a new stop this year to battle for the crown of who is best in the Alps. Once again, Richterwil is back to offer a great event to our National competitors. Don’t miss out on one of the great races this season.
Festival Style Atmosphere 👉🏼 The Horn Richterwil will turn into a Hotspot for Watter sport enthusiasts from all over Europe. Food Stands, Drinks, chill areas, Pop Up Stores and side programs will turn the weekend of the 19.,20. & 21 of June into the place to be!
Clinics with the Worlds Best 👉🏼 Duna Gordillo & Aaron Sanchez, two of the world’s best Athletes and reigning World Champions, will open their secret recipe book and share it with you during our clinics on the 19 of June! Don’t miss this rare opportunity! Book it now
Paddling Without Limits 👉🏼 The ESL launches an exiting new program for people confined to a Wheelchair to experience the water on their Specially adapted Stand up paddles. We invite you, your family or Association to join us in Richterswill and experience this Sport for the first time.
Odra SUP Cup
Rybnik will bring a different kind of stop to the circuit, in a city with a strong sports infrastructure and a clear focus on outdoor activity. Set in the Pniowiec area on the banks of the Upper Odra River, this stop is part of the broader Festiwal Górnej Odry — a three-day celebration of paddle sports that goes far beyond elite competition.
Hosted by RTW Racibórz, one of Poland’s most historic water sports clubs, the Odra SUP Cup combines over 130 years of rowing tradition with the fast, technical demands of modern SUP racing. The natural course of the Odra River provides an ideal setting for both the Technical Race and Sprint formats, with variable current and a tight buoy layout that challenges the world’s best paddlers from start to finish.
Beyond the official competition, the festival opens its doors to all levels — with popular races, team events and the spectacular Dragon Race making the riverside at Pniowiec a must-see destination for the European SUP community.
With the support of the city of Rybnik, MOSiR Rybnik, and the Polish Surfing Federation (PZS), the Odra SUP Cup has established itself as Poland’s premier SUP event and one of the most unique stops on the European calendar.
📅 June 26–28, 2026 | 📍 Rybnik, Polonia | 🏁 European Surfing Federation
Official events
- SUP Technical Race
- SUP Sprint 200m
Non-Official events
- Dragon Race
- Fun Race 5km (2 laps)
- Inflatable Long Distance
- Popular Race
- Brand Relays
Prize Money
- 6.000 € – Total
- 3.000 € – SUP Technical Race
- 3.000 € – SUP Sprint
Getting here
How to reach Rybnik · Pniowiec venue
- Katowice Airport (KTW) — 65 km · approx. 50 min by road (recommended)
- Kraków Airport (KRK) — 110 km · approx. 1h 30min by road
- Wrocław Airport (WRO) — 180 km · approx. 2h 15min by road
- Venue: Pniowiec, Rybnik — on the banks of the Upper Odra River.
Program & Resgitration 👉🏼 HERE
ESL: Sustainable development goals
The path toward greater sustainability is a central pillar of the league, always striving for an optimal balance between economic development, social justice, and environmental protection.
The ESL has launched various sustainability initiatives applied across all participants, aligning with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing over 50 best practices.