Agios Nikolaos Set to Host Major Week of International SUP Racing in Crete
Photo courtesy: August Studios
CRETE, Greece - The Hellenic Canoe, Kayak, SUP & Surf Federation, in cooperation with the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos, the Agios Nikolaos Municipal Enterprise (DAEAN), the Nautical Athletic Club of Agios Nikolaos (NASAN), Paddle Europe and Paddle Worldwide, with the support of the Region of Crete and under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and the General Secretariat of Sports of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, is organizing the “Agios Nikolaos on Sup - 2026 Paddle Europe Stand Up Paddling Championships - SUP World CUP” in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, on 18-23 September 2026.
AGIOS NIKOLAOS on SUP returns in 2026 with its most ambitious edition to date. For the first time, the Paddle Europe Stand Up Paddling European Championships and the SUP World Cup will be held in the same week, in the same waters.
What began as a local race in 2015 has evolved into a major fixture on the international SUP calendar, helping strengthen the presence of Agios Nikolaos and Crete on the global sports tourism map.
From Plaka and Spinalonga to Lake Voulismeni, EOT Beach and Milatos, Agios Nikolaos will become, for six days, a major international stage for Stand Up Paddling.
AN EVENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF LEADING GREEK INSTITUTIONS
This year’s event is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), and the General Secretariat of Sports of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, with the continued support of the Region of Crete.
Photo courtesy: August Studios
3 DISCIPLINES, €12.000 IN PRIZE MONEY
The race schedule includes Sprint, Technical, and Long Distance events, with a total prize pool of 12,000 euros. The races will take place at various locations throughout the greater Agios Nikolaos area, combining the racing action with some of the destination’s most iconic landscapes.
The EOT Beach will host the program’s competitive events, while the Long Distance race will pass through Plaka and Spinalonga, finishing at Lake Voulismeni, in the heart of the city. Competitive events will also take place in Milatos, rounding out a program that spans various coastal routes in the region.
250+ PARTICIPANTS FROM 20+ DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
With more than 250 athletes from over 20 different countries, the significantly increased international interest in this year’s event confirms the steadily growing prominence of AGIOS NIKOLAOS ON SUP on the international sports scene.
The races include Junior, Open, Masters 40+, and Masters 50+ categories, while recreational races for U14 children and inflatable boards will also take place.
The presence of top athletes from different countries, combined with the European Championship and the World Cup taking place during the same competition week, makes this year’s event the most significant to date in the history of AGIOS NIKOLAOS on SUP.
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE SIGNIFICANCE: POINTS TOWARD THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The SUP World Cup Event is a world-ranking competition, with the points athletes earn in Agios Nikolaos counting toward the international rankings ahead of the World Championships in Sabaudia, Italy, October 14-18, 2026.
Photo courtesy: Alex Macheras
FOR THE FIRST TIME, AN OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING A PARADE OF NATIONS
This year’s event begins on a particularly symbolic note. For the first time, on Thursday, September 17, an Opening Ceremony for the PADDLE EUROPE SUP CHAMPIONSHIPS will take place, featuring a Parade of Nations.
Athletes and delegations from the participating countries will come together in Agios Nikolaos for a celebration of sport, participation and international competition, officially marking the start of the European Championships.
THE PROGRAM
-17/09: Opening Ceremony PADDLE EUROPE SUP CHAMPIONSHIPS
-18/09: PEU SUP European Championship (Sprint)
-19/09: PEU SUP European Championship (Technical)
-20/09: PEU / PW Joint Event (Long Distance) - PEU SUP European Championship & SUP
World CUP
-22/09: SUP World CUP (Sprint)
-23/09: SUP World CUP (Technical)
(See the detailed schedule here)
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