PATTAYA, Thailand – At the Jomtien Beach Water Sports Area in Pattaya, the city of Pattaya, in collaboration with the Pattaya SUP Board Club, organized the annual Pattaya Water Sports Event. The highlight of this year’s event was the stand-up paddleboard (SUP) competition, the “SUP Pattaya Championship 2025,” held from January 18-19.
On January 19, the official opening ceremony of the SUP competition took place with Deputy Mayor Kritsana Boonsawad presiding over the event.
The championship was organized with the aim of encouraging local youth and the general public to spend their free time engaging in sports, improving their skills, and gaining experience through continuous competition at all levels. The event emphasized fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, while also elevating the standards of SUP competitions to a national level.
Additionally, the event contributed to Pattaya’s reputation as a leading Sports City and sports tourism destination, in line with government policies and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The competition also played a role in boosting Pattaya’s overall economy.
The event featured 23 competition categories, with winners receiving honorary trophies from Pattaya City and a total prize pool of 140,900 baht. Athletes from seven countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, England, Switzerland, Hungary, Japan, and Thailand, participated in the championship. The two-day competition was lively, exciting, and well-received by attendees.
Stand-up paddleboarding is gaining global popularity and is expected to become an Olympic sport in the future. The Mayor of Pattaya has emphasized the importance of pushing SUP competitions to an international level. This championship not only supports tourism and generates economic benefits for Pattaya but also serves as a preparation for the 33rd SEA Games in 2025, which will be hosted by Thailand from December 9-20. Pattaya, along with two other provinces, will co-host the games.
