Mengaluru, March 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) - The second day of the International SUP Championship at the India Paddle Festival 2025 saw thrilling battles across all categories at Sasihithlu Beach. The event is noted as the country’s only international Stand-Up Paddling competition and features both elite competitions and cultural celebrations.
The APP Distance Race (10 km) showcased Spain’s defending champions, with Esperanza Barreras reclaiming her title and Antonio Morillo dominating the men’s category. Barreras won the women’s race with an impressive time of 51:11:35, holding off strong competition, including South Africa's Chiara Vorster, who finished second at 57:44:18, and Korea's Sujeong Lim, who secured third with 58:33:37. India's Vijayalakshmi Irulappan also showcased her skills, finishing commendably at fifth with 1:03:15:29.
Reflecting on her victory, Barreras commented, “The competition was incredible, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it. I had a lot of fun, and the conditions here are always excellent. I didn’t feel much pressure defending the championship because I focused solely on myself during races, without worrying about anything else. But I can say I really pushed hard to secure the win today, and I’m absolutely thrilled with the result.”
Morillo also retained his title, finishing the men’s race with a time of 44:53:47. He remarked on the challenging conditions, stating, “The conditions were incredible—hot water, choppy waves, strong winds, and floodwaters in the river. It was a race with everything, making it a true test for all athletes. I faced tough competition, especially from Christian Andersen, but I found an extra gear and pulled ahead.”
India's young paddlers made their mark during the festival, particularly during the U-15 Technical Distance Race (1.5 km), where Aneesh Kumar from Tamil Nadu led the pack. He claimed victory with 10:13:34, followed closely by local paddler Pradeep at 12:16:37 and Tamil talent Nitish K, who finished third with 13:23:42. Kumar's performance demonstrated the rising talent within the Indian paddling community.
The excitement continued with the U-18 Technical Distance Race (5 km), where Keefe Anargya Pranoto from Indonesia edged out the defending champion, Aakash Pujar. Pranoto secured first place with the time of 38:46:58, leaving Pujar to finish second at 39:35:27. Raju Pujar, Aakash's cousin, rounded out the top three with 43:00:59.
This edition of the India Paddle Festival is organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and held at the picturesque Sasihithlu Beach with support from Incredible India and Karnataka Tourism. The festival promises to run through March 9, featuring not just thrilling paddle races but also vibrant cultural celebrations—something for all to enjoy!