APP Tour Offering Unique Experience At Osaka SUP Open

OSAKA, Japan - The APP World Tour is excited to announce its return to Japan in 2019 with the introduction of the Osaka SUP Open. As the next step in its City Paddle Festival approach, Osaka will host the world's very best Stand Up Paddlers from the 20th - 22nd September for stop #3 of the 2019 APP World Racing Tour. The event will also host a Pro-AM division, Amateur and Youth Divisions as well as entry level racing for all ages, with the Osaka River providing the perfect, calm and safe waterway for this all inclusive experience.

Osaka is a magnificent city, and at its heart, the stunning river has long been a lifeline to the city for commerce and transport. Now, due to a collaborative effort by both private and public sectors, recreation has become a real focus for the city, as has the regeneration of the river banks and cleanliness of the waterways, making the Osaka River a prime attraction for residents and visitors alike.

"It is a real honor for the APP World Tour to celebrate the efforts and commitment of both private and public sectors in Osaka by bringing this world class event to this fascinating city steeped in culture and tradition. The Osaka SUP Open will provide an incredible spectacle this September mixed with an unparalleled and completely inclusive participatory experience, both on and off the water, regardless of age or gender.

Nakanoshima Island is the perfect venue for this City Paddle Festival to come to life: surrounded by water and at the heart of the City," said Tristan Boxford, CEO of the APP World Tour.

The Osaka SUP Open will feature distance and sprint racing for the Pros and Pro-Ams, while the courses available from short to long allow for participation at every level for Amateurs and Youth. The nature of the venue will deliver stunning courses for all competitors, allowing them to see the city of Osaka in such a unique way and providing them with an unforgettable experience.

All the distance courses, from 1km - 10km feature a unique around-the-island component, mirroring the sport's roots in the islands and transporting them to the magnificent City of Osaka.

Tradeshow Experience

Athletes, APP offiicials and Japan officials meet ahead of the event. | Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

The Osaka SUP Open offers something for everyone, from World Class Professional Athletes, to newcomers to the sport eager to engage in a first experience on the water. From the APP demo pool in the Festival zone, to the safe and monitored waters surrounding Nakanoshima Island, the participatory experience will be second to none and will cater to participants at every level.

Meanwhile, on the land, check out the latest from the sport's leading brands and lifestyle vendors who will be there through the weekend, take in the action on the big screen, listen to live music or participate in SUP Yoga sessions in the APP Pool: in short, the Osaka SUP Open will provide the opportunity to immerse attendees into this unique 'Island Experience' in the heart of the City.

United Sports Foundation will also be hosting a special event on the Island in conjunction with the APP, providing youth from the Osaka area access to a unique series of clinics, from paddling and water safety, to learning about plastics and how they can make a difference through their actions. With the APP World Tour athletes on hand to engage with the kids, it will be an experience to remember in every respect.

From the unmistakable Osaka Castle that has looked over the Osaka waterways for centuries, to the Dotombori Canal, lined by giant LED screens, bars and restaurants, the epitome of modern day Japan, Osaka provides a cultural experience like no other.

The Osaka SUP Open provides the perfect opportunity for paddlers from all over the world to immerse themselves into something incredibly special and explore this magical City from the water, quite simply the best seat in the house!

Join the APP there, or watch it all go down LIVE online at appworldtour.com and across social media @appworldtour from the 20th - 22nd September 2019.

Japan's Yuka Sato and France's Arthur Arutkin paddle the Osaka River. | Photo courtesy: APP World Tour

About the APP World Tour and Waterman League International

The APP World Tour is the Professional World Championship Tour for the Sport of Paddlesurfing (also known as SUP / Stand Up Paddling / Paddleboarding), officially sanctioned by the IOC recognized Federation for Surfing Sports, the ISA (International Surfing Association). Re-branded in 2017 as the APP World Tour (previously known as the Stand Up World Tour and Series) the APP has been crowning the sport’s World Champions for both Men & Women across Racing and Surfing since 2010. The APP World Tour produces a complete inventory of programming, including live and post produced broadcasts from its events, with distribution to over 100 countries worldwide via premier global networks such as CBS Sports and Fox Sports Asia & Australia. More Information is available at www.appworldtour.com and fans can follow events @appworldtour on Facebook & Instagram. For more information on the APP’s City Paddle Festivals please visit www.citypaddlefestivals.com.