Stand Up Paddling is a fast growing sport and local authorities in Slovenia, a picturesque country in Middle Europe, spotted an easy way to collect some quick and easy cash. Being resourceful, they just skipped businesses as planned on the Californian coast and want to collect directly from paddlers to avoid the middleman. Slovenian paddlers are outraged at these new rules and fees and are fighting back with protests against the new rules. Read more...

On Board is a one day fundraiser for brain cancer research with the Canadian Cancer Society in Welland, Ontario started by teenager Maddi Leblanc. The day consists of a 10km paddle ride down the Welland Canal on July 14th 2016 at 2pm. Anyone can come out with any type of paddling experience with a canoe, kayak, SUP board, or anything else to join the ride! Learn more about Maddi and why she started On Board below.

One SUP up and comer who stands out is 17-year-old Max Fleming from Dana Point, California. What makes Max so special? Not only is he an excellent SUP surfer and SUP racer, but Max is setting his sights high as he has ambitions to become an orthopedic surgeon and he’s already well on his way to making this dream a reality. We caught up with Max to chat about his ambitions, how he first discovered SUP and where he sees the sport in 5 years.

Performance Paddling is excited to announce the 4th Annual Quickblade Jr Pro & Youth SupFiesta presented by Infinity on May 7 - 8, 2016.  Once again the top youth sup athletes in the world will congregate for the largest youth only sup event in the world. This unique event is comprised of three components, a Junior Pro Invitational Sup Surfing competition, Age Group SUP Surfing contest (7 divisions), and an Age Group SUP Race (7 divisions).

Hawaiian athlete Zane Schweitzer will contest the 2016 The Ultimate Waterman title in New Zealand this month, replacing Australian Jamie Mitchell who is injured it was announced.

Welcome to the Supconnect Weekly Recap, our countdown of the biggest news, reviews, interviews and features surrounding the world of Stand Up Paddle Boarding. This week we’re bringing you another sample of the best stories covered by ourselves and other publications.

After a weeklong event here in Cabarete, Dominican Republic it is Hawaiian Zane Schweitzer who has just won the 2016 Master of the Ocean for the third consecutive year. Zane was on a tear all week and performed well across all four disciplines (SUP, Kite, Surf, Windsurf) earning him the title of Master of the Ocean for the third year in a row.

On a sunny February day in northern Oregon, paddle boarders and kayakers meet on the Hood River. There is a camaraderie between river people. Water levels are up and the call for paddling the “backyard run” has been made. For many of these paddlers, this is a daily run. A short shuttle from the town of Hood River for 14 miles of continuous Class III+ whitewater hurdling down a forested canyon before its confluence with the Columbia River Gorge.

Day two of the 2016 Master of the Ocean welcomed competitors with light winds and sunny, clear skies. With the swell having dropped overnight to shoulder high surf, there were still plenty of waves on tap for the athletes to have some fun on.