Michael Lindberg: The 2024 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship
Photo: Surf & Sup Denmark
Read the interview with Michael Lindberg, CEO of Surf & Sup Denmark, about what to expect from the 2024 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship in Copenhagen.
Why is the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship back in Copenhagen for 2024?
"Copenhagen is a very nice fit for a water sports event. The capital’s harbour is already filled with people kayaking and SUP’ing and is one of the only in the world with actual clean water that you can swim and do sports in.
Last time the event was in Copenhagen, in 2017, we saw 42 participating countries. This year we’re aiming for up to 60 countries.”
Where is the venue?
“Søren Kirkegaards Plads at the Royal Library/Black Diamond is the main hub for the event. Then we have routes going around Frederiksholms Canal, where the parliament is, and then Christianshavns Canal. They’re the two most central canals, showcasing the city in the best way possible.
The difference between the previous event in Copenhagen in 2017 to this years is that SUP is now allowed in the entire harbour area, which again allows us to create routes in the waterways of the historic inner city too.”
“Søren Kirkegaards Plads at the Royal Library/Black Diamond is the main hub for the event. Then we have routes going around Frederiksholms Canal, where the parliament is, and then Christianshavns Canal. They’re the two most central canals, showcasing the city in the best way possible.
Where should people go for a SUP tour around Copenhagen?
“It’s always fun to paddle around the city’s canals. I’d probably start at KayakBar in Frederiksholms Canal where you can rent gear. From there, you can rather quickly paddle through most of the city.
Amager Strandpark and the lagoon is a nice spot for something less urban. You can rent gear at Kayakhotellet.
Paddling north from the city up to Hellerup and the coast around there is beautiful. And tThe water around Mølleåen and Bagsværd Lake are great flat water options.
Looking south, some 20 kilometers from Copenhagen, Ishøj Strand - close to the Arken Museum of Modern Art - is a great spot for SUP too.“
What are you looking most forward to for the World Cup?
“The biggest thing of the week will be the Copenhagen SUP event on Saturday, September 21 where everyone can join for a social paddle around the Long Distance route through the city. We aim for around 1000 people joining.”
“The biggest thing of the week will be the Copenhagen SUP event on Saturday, September 21 where everyone can join for a social paddle around the Long Distance route through the city.”
What are the professional athletes saying about going to Copenhagen to compete?
“When Copenhagen got announced as host city, some articles said that this is the not-to-miss event of 2024. I think the global SUP community liked how the event was in 2017. The athletes felt that everything went smooth last time and are happy to return."
Will the audience be able to see the competitions from the water?
“For the Sprint event on Sunday, September 22, people can anchor up their boats, SUPs, or kayaks in a designated area in the middle of the harbour in front of the Opera. It’ll be spectacular!"
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