A partly-cloudy yet crisp and beautiful morning greeted paddlers and spectators alike for the 2016 Air France Paddle Festival in the beautiful waters of Tahiti in French Polynesia. With another record-breaking year in terms of participation, over 300 paddlers registered for the 4th Annual Event and the Air France Paddle Festival has truly become the largest SUP event in the South Pacific.
The 2016 Air France Paddle Festival kicks off this weekend and it’s expected to be epic. Top athletes in stand up paddle (SUP) racing have arrived in Tahiti and are preparing for what is to be an awesome day of racing not only in the South Pacific, but also, over the globe. Over 300 paddlers are expected to attend and participate in the event this year which breaks the participation record from last year’s event. Read more...
With two successful previous editions, the reputation of the Air France Paddle Festival in Polynesia and abroad make it a highly expected event from all. With only days left in the registration period make sure to secure your slot at the biggest stand up paddle race in the South Pacific!
Last year we here at Supconnect had the pleasure of attending the Air France Paddle Festival and we will definitely be back again this year as it was an event that is not to be missed. In case you needed any help deciding whether or not to attend the 2016 Air France Paddle Festival, here are five reasons why you should definitely do it:
Tahiti is the perfect place for stand up paddling (SUP). It was even voted as SUP Destination of the Year for 2015 in the Supconnect Polls. The folks at F-One just released this incredibly beautiful movie featuring their Tahitian SUP ambassadors Aude Lionet-Chanfour, Poenaiki Raioha and Patrice Chanzy.
Team Riviera Paddlesurf traveled down to the beautiful Tahitian paradise in French Polynesia for the 2015 Air Tahiti Nui Paddle Festival. Team Riviera recently dropped this highlights video from their trip to Tahiti and it's awesome.
After visiting Easter Island and circumnavigating Fernando de Noronha (Brazil), Brazilian athlete Roberta Borsari traveled to Moorea, one of the volcanic islands that form part of the French Polynesian territory in the Pacific Ocean, 17 km from Tahiti.
The FCS SUP athletes have been busy as of late jet-setting across the globe and finding themselves atop the podium for their efforts. Maui’s Zane Schweitzer recently travelled to Tahiti where he competed in the Sapinus Pro, the second stop on the 2015 Stand Up World Tour.
It has been an amazing 3 days here in Tahiti with pumping surf, beautiful weather, and surrounded by the magical scenery that makes you feel like you are in a dream world, with today's action proving to be the perfect way to end the 2015 #SapinusPro. In the end, Zane Schweitzer secured a well deserved victory at the 2015 #SapinusPro Tahiti and moves into 2nd overall in the World Ratings.
Another beautiful morning in Tahiti saw the 2015 #SapinusPro Main Event called on with the swell on the rise. Athletes were able to let loose in some unpredictable, but rippable surf. It was certainly a day for the Australians as all six of the crew from Down Under advanced through to Round 3.
After a 2 year hiatus from the beautiful Island Chain of Tahiti, the Stand Up World Tour marked its return to the islands today with the completion of the Air Tahiti Nui Trials of the 2015 #SapinusPro in great conditions. In the end, it was the Hawaiian, Keali'i Mamala who took the honors in a tightly contested final, picking off the best set waves and driving smooth, but powerful turns on his way to victory.
Stop 2 of the 2015 Stand Up World Tour will kick off next week in the magnificent Tahitian island chain as the #SapinusPro is back. The Stand Up World Tour has a rich history in the islands since the launch of its Contenders exhibition back in 2009, and then the first full year of the Tour in 2010, as the #Sapinus Pro was born.