17th Annual Supconnect Awards Kick Off, Honoring Excellence in Paddleboarding
SAN DIEGO, California – Supconnect is proud to announce the launch of the 17th Annual Supconnect Awards, continuing the paddleboarding industry's longest-running awards program celebrating the people, products, brands, and retailers that continue to shape the future of stand-up paddling.
Since launching in 2010, the Supconnect Awards have become one of the sport's most recognized honors, celebrating excellence across every corner of the global SUP community. More than just competitive achievements, the awards recognize those who elevate the sport through innovation, leadership, community involvement, and a lasting commitment to growing paddleboarding worldwide.
As the original awards program dedicated exclusively to stand-up paddling, the Supconnect Awards continue to recognize athletes, industry professionals, retailers, and manufacturers who are making a meaningful impact both on and off the water. The 2026 edition features the return of fan-favorite categories including Supconnect Man, Woman, and Grom of the Year, alongside industry honors recognizing the year's top brands, retailers, and products.
2026 Award Categories
Nominees are selected through a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by the Supconnect editorial team, an experienced advisory board, and respected members of the paddleboarding industry. Athlete categories are evaluated across four primary pillars:
Ambassadorship: Inspiring others while representing the values and culture of stand-up paddling.
Community Involvement: Supporting events, education, media, and initiatives that strengthen the sport.
Performance: Demonstrating excellence, consistency, and progression on the water.
Industry & Community Support: Earning recognition through peer respect, community engagement, and public voting.
Industry award nominees—including Brand, Gear, and Shop—are additionally evaluated on product innovation, customer experience, industry leadership, service, and their overall contribution to the continued growth of stand-up paddling.
The awards are conducted in two phases, beginning with an open nomination period followed by the announcement of official finalists before winners are revealed. This process ensures a balanced combination of industry insight, community participation, and editorial evaluation.
Now entering its seventeenth year, the Supconnect Awards remain committed to recognizing not only the sport's biggest names, but also the emerging talent, dedicated retailers, innovative brands, and behind-the-scenes contributors whose passion continues to move paddleboarding forward.
The 17th Annual Supconnect Awards are now officially underway, with winners scheduled to be announced in August 2026. To vote for this year’s nominees, click here.
