16th Annual Supconnect Awards Kick Off, Honoring Excellence in Paddleboarding

SAN DIEGO, California – Supconnect is proud to announce the launch of the 16th Annual Supconnect Awards, continuing its longstanding tradition of recognizing the stand-up paddle industry’s most influential figures, groundbreaking products, and top-performing brands and retailers.

Since their inception in 2010, the Supconnect Awards have stood as the industry’s most inclusive and inspiring honors. Unlike awards that focus solely on competitive achievement, Supconnect shines a light on the individuals and companies that embody the spirit of the sport—those who lead with passion, build community, and shape the future of stand-up paddling through innovation, service, and storytelling.

As the original awards program in the paddleboarding world, Supconnect remains committed to recognizing role models and changemakers across the global SUP community. The 2025 edition upholds this mission, featuring standout categories such as Supconnect Man, Woman, and Grom of the Year, alongside key industry recognitions like Brand of the Year, Shop of the Year, Gear of the Year, and Sales Rep of the Year.

2025 Award Categories Include:

Supconnect Man of the Year
Supconnect Woman of the Year
Supconnect Grom of the Year
Supconnect Gear of the Year
Supconnect Brand of the Year
Supconnect Shop of the Year
Supconnect Sales Rep of the Year

The Supconnect Awards follow a thorough selection process led by the Supconnect team, an esteemed advisory board, and members of the SUP industry. Athletes, brands, shops, and reps are evaluated based on four core pillars:

• Ambassadorship: Championing the values of the sport and inspiring others.
• Involvement: Staying engaged with events, media, and community initiatives.
• Performance: Demonstrating skill, consistency, and dedication to the craft.
• Support: Earning the respect and backing of the SUP community through votes and social engagement.

Nominees for brand, gear, and shop categories are further evaluated based on product quality, customer service, and overall contribution to the paddleboarding experience.

The awards roll out in two stages: an open nominations period, followed by a curated shortlist of finalists and the final announcement of winners. With a global perspective and inclusive philosophy, Supconnect celebrates not just elite athletes and global brands, but also the local heroes, youth ambassadors, and behind-the-scenes contributors who keep the paddleboarding world thriving.

The 16th Annual Supconnect Awards are now officially underway, and winners will be announced in early August 2025. Stay tuned as we highlight this year’s extraordinary stories and recognize the individuals and brands moving the industry forward.

For more on the history of the Supconnect Awards, click here.