SAN DIEGO, California - After more than six weeks of deliberation and in-depth evaluation, we’re proud to announce the winners of the 16th Annual Supconnect Awards. With nominations spanning dozens of standout athletes, brands, shops, and groms across the global SUP community, narrowing down the list to this year’s winners was no small task.

With over 30,000+ views and interactions, the Awards continue to spotlight the most influential figures and products in the sport. As always, our selection process followed Supconnect’s core criteria: Ambassadorship, Involvement, Performance, and Support. To ensure the most thoughtful and well-rounded decisions, we consulted our experienced advisory board, gathered feedback from fans and consumers, engaged in conversations with retailers and industry insiders, and weighed in with insights from our editorial team.

After countless messages, meetings, and reviews, we’re honored to celebrate the individuals and companies who continue to shape and inspire the SUP world. Without further ado, here are your winners for the 2025 Supconnect Awards.

Michael Booth | Photo: Starboard

Man of the Year

Michael Booth

When it comes to consistent excellence, leadership, and a global presence in stand-up paddling, Michael Booth continues to set the pace — literally and figuratively. For his world-class performances, positive influence, and enduring commitment to the growth of the sport, he is Supconnect’s 2025 Man of the Year.

While the competition continues to evolve, Michael Booth remains a standout performer, showcasing his experience and race craft across key events. A podium regular at the world’s most prestigious SUP races, Boothy’s engine, race IQ, and unshakable focus make him one of the most respected competitors in the sport. But his contributions extend far beyond medals.

He is also one of SUP’s most visible and impactful ambassadors. Through his training platform, Boothy Training, Michael mentors athletes around the world, from rising juniors to top-tier pros. His presence at clinics, his educational content, and his openness with fans all speak to a deep passion for sharing knowledge and raising the level of the sport.

Whether on the start line, leading a coaching session, or advocating for better support and structure within the sport, Michael Booth leads by example. For his outstanding performance, leadership, and community engagement, Michael Booth is Supconnect’s 2025 Man of the Year.

Runner-ups:

Espe Barreras | Photo: Starboard

Woman of the Year

Esperanza Barreras

When it comes to excellence in performance, leadership, and community impact, Esperanza Barreras continues to set the gold standard. For her unwavering commitment to the sport and her outstanding presence both on and off the water, she is Supconnect’s 2025 Woman of the Year.

In the past year, Esperanza delivered dominant performances across Europe’s most competitive events, consistently finishing at the top in sprint, distance, and technical races. Her results speak for themselves — but it’s the how behind her success that truly sets her apart. Esperanza competes with power, precision, and humility, earning the respect of fans, athletes, and organizers alike.

Beyond her elite-level racing, Esperanza embodies the spirit of stand-up paddling. She’s a visible and authentic ambassador for the sport, constantly giving back through local events, coaching, and community outreach. Whether leading youth clinics, supporting grassroots races, or showing up for beach cleanups, her presence uplifts the SUP community throughout Spain and beyond.

Esperanza is more than a champion — she’s a role model. For her competitive excellence, sportsmanship, and commitment to growing the sport, Esperanza Barreras is the well-deserving recipient of Supconnect’s 2025 Woman of the Year Award.

Runner-ups:

Soryn Preston at ICF World Championships in Sarasota. | Photo: SIC Maui

Grom of the Year

Soryn Preston

Soryn Preston is part of a new wave of rising female talent in stand-up paddling — and at just 17 years old, she’s already making a serious impression on the global stage. For her breakthrough performances, dedication to the sport, and growing presence in the SUP community, Soryn earns the title of 2025 Supconnect Grom of the Year.

Racing for Team SIC Maui, Soryn has shown she can compete — and often excel — in both sprint and distance formats. Her results this past season reflect her growing power and confidence, consistently landing her among the top juniors and earning recognition from fellow athletes and coaches alike.

Beyond her racing success, Soryn stands out for her attitude. She’s focused, respectful, and always brings positivity to the lineup — whether she’s lining up on race day, helping younger paddlers, or representing the sport through SIC events and team activations. She’s a role model in the making, not just because of her speed, but because of how she carries herself.

For her strong performances, rising leadership, and bright future in the sport, Soryn Preston is Supconnect’s 2025 Grom of the Year.

Runner-ups:

Brand of the Year

Red Paddle Co

When selecting Brand of the Year, Supconnect evaluates more than just great products — we consider innovation, customer experience, community involvement, and a brand’s overall contribution to the growth and integrity of the sport. This year, Red Paddle Co rises to the top, earning the title of 2025 Brand of the Year. Red Paddle Co has long set the standard for inflatable SUPs, and in 2025, they continued to lead with cutting-edge technology, including their proprietary MSL Fusion construction, RSS stiffening system, and thoughtful touches like the Titan II pump and All-Terrain Backpack. But what truly sets Red Paddle Co apart is their relentless focus on the paddler’s experience — from high-end build quality to best-in-class packaging and design that consistently earns praise from both retailers and end users.

This year also saw Red deepen their investment in the community, supporting global and grassroots events, creating high-value educational content, and continuing to advocate for safety, accessibility, and environmental stewardship in the sport. Their approach is holistic — blending gear innovation with lifestyle, and performance with purpose. Retailers have highlighted Red Paddle Co’s exceptional dealer support, clear communication, and operational consistency — all of which help them remain a trusted and respected name in shops around the world. For their dedication to product excellence, thoughtful engagement with the global SUP community, and commitment to elevating the sport across all fronts, Red Paddle Co is Supconnect’s 2025 Brand of the Year.

Runner-ups:

Shop of the Year

Easysup SUPstore

Tucked into the water-rich village of Heeg, Easysup SUPstore has become a trusted anchor for the Dutch paddling community — and beyond. For its exceptional service, deep community involvement, and commitment to quality, Easysup earns the title of 2025 Supconnect Shop of the Year. What sets Easysup apart is its genuinely customer-first approach. The team takes the time to guide each paddler — beginner or seasoned — through the process of selecting the right board and gear, with no pushy sales tactics, just honest, experience-based advice. That service-first mindset has earned them praise across both local and international paddling circles.

Their curated inventory features high-quality products from top brands like SIC Maui, Tahe Sport, and Black Project Paddles, ensuring that customers walk away with gear that performs on the water and lasts over time. More than just a retail space, Easysup is a pillar in the local SUP community, regularly hosting events, demos, and workshops that bring paddlers together and introduce new people to the sport. With a cozy, inviting shop atmosphere and a growing digital presence through their up-to-date webshop, they’ve built a loyal following rooted in trust, knowledge, and shared passion. For delivering on all fronts — involvement, service, community support, and quality gear — Easysup SUPstore is Supconnect’s 2025 Shop of the Year.

Runner-ups:

Sales Rep of the Year

Alasdair Duncan

Representing Red Paddle Co., Alasdair Duncan exemplifies what it means to be a standout sales rep in today’s SUP industry. Known for his professionalism, consistency, and deep understanding of the product line, Alasdair goes beyond transactional relationships to build long-term partnerships with shops and distributors. Throughout 2025, Alasdair has been praised by dealers for his clear communication, fast response times, and ability to problem-solve in a way that supports the unique needs of each retail partner. Whether it’s ensuring timely delivery, navigating complex orders, or walking a new dealer through product education, Alasdair handles it with a calm, solutions-focused approach.

His support of Red Paddle Co.'s brand integrity and technical excellence is also key. He helps maintain high standards across product representation, always aligning with the brand’s vision for performance and innovation — and ensuring that retailers are well-equipped to tell the story behind the gear. For his trusted support, product expertise, and commitment to dealer success, Alasdair Duncan is Supconnect’s 2025 Sales Rep of the Year.

Runner-ups:

Kevin Krohn
Ted Lohr

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners of the 16th Annual Supconnect Awards. We couldn't be more pleased with the results and we hope you are too. To check out our Gear of the Year Award winners for 2025, click HERE.