About the team...

Please show your support for the New Zealand SUP Team (SUP) in achieving their goal of representing New Zealand at the 2015 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Stand Up Paddle & Paddleboard Championships (WSUPPC) in Sayulita, Mexico - May, 2015.

New Zealand has yet to compete in this - the pinnacle of paddle events - however, we are VERY confident that with your support we have the team necessary to take home a medal for New Zealand.

The team comprises athletes such as former New Zealand swimmer Pea Strickland who will be representing the team in both the woman’s technical and distance racing disciplines.

In the men arguably New Zealand’s best all-round waterman Armie Armstrong - wunderkind Ollie Houghton (15) and Olympian windsurfer JP Tobin who will share the duties across the technical and distance disciplines.

Together the team is formidable and highly motivated by this opportunity to represent New Zealand with pride, determination and skill.

If you are a proud Kiwi and love to see Kiwis competing and winning on the world stage then please help support YOUR team in this years ISA World Championships.

If you are interested in becoming a partner of the team please contact - Penelope Stricklandfor additional information.

Who is representing the New Zealand Team in 2015?...

Team representatives for the 2015 ISA World Championships

Woman

Penelope Strickland : Distance and technical racing.

Men

JP Tobin : Distance racing. First alternate for technical.

Armie Armstrong : Distance and technical racing.

Ollie Houghton : Technical racing. First alternate for distance.

Management

Rosie Houghton

How can I help the team?...Please buy a leaf!

Replace a number on a fern leaf with with YOUR name and own a piece of the team behind the team.

Help to power and motivate the New Zealand team in Mexico by securing your leaf on the the team’s silver fern which will feature on racing equipment inclusive of the board (one metre decal) and paddle.

There will also be a flag featuring the fern carried to and displayed at the event acknowledging your support as an integral part of the team.

You will receive a high resolution photo of your name on the fern featured on each team members board.

Our nations fern along with your support will help serve to motivate the team as they paddle for victory in Mexico.

Why?...

The sport of SUP is currently being considered for a spot in the Olympic Games program - as a result more teams are sending athletes to this years World Championship’s than ever before.

New Zealand is producing some very strong paddlers and we will be at the forefront of this Olympic push - consider also New Zealand’s own Barbara Kendall is the current vice president of the International Surfing Association and a current board member of Surfing New Zealand - as a nation we need to be in Mexico and make our presence felt with a view to secure World Championship hosting rights for New Zealand in the near future.

Association...

Associate with the New Zealand SUP Team and leverage your support in your own social media and networks.

Your support will be acknowledged on the ‘NZL SUP Team’s’ Facebook account.

The ‘NZL SUP Team’ has secured media partnerships with TV3 and Woman’s Weekly who have pledged to run event features.

SKY Television recently broadcast six 30 minute segments following the National Championships (April) - currently the sport of SUP is well recognised and is riding a wave of media interest.

NZL SUP Team media promotions will be ongoing - national and international media partner outlets will continue to be added (tv/print/web) as the team progresses towards the World Championships.

When and where are the World Championships?...

The 2015 WSUPPC is scheduled for May 10-17 in Sayulita, Mexico.

Sayulita is a village about 25 miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, with a population of approximately 4,000.

What are the ISA World Championships?...

The ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) is an ISA World Championship that features four disciplines - SUP Surfing, SUP Racing Technical, SUP Racing Distance and Paddleboard Racing Technical and Distance.

Within the SUP Racing and Paddleboard disciplines, athletes will be competing in up to three (3) events including the Technical and Distance Races and the Paddle Relay.

There will be one Gold Medal National Team.

What is the ISA?...

ISA (International Surfing Association)

The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Surfing and Racing, and all other wave riding activities.

What can the New Zealand athletes expect in Mexico?...

Summer temperatures in Sayulita average 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) with high humidity and chances of rain.

The most common wind at Punta Sayulita blows from the SSW.

Over and average May, winds are light enough for the sea to be glassy about 56% of the time (17 days each May) and blows offshore 56% of the time (17 days each May).

During a typical May winds exceeding > 40kph (25mph) are not expected.

Punta Sayulita is a rock/reef bottom break that is fed sand by a river-mouth right in front. It is a predominantly right hand break, but there are also lefts. The best swell directions are NW.

Who are we competing on behalf of?...

Ultimately for New Zealand and the sport of SUP in New Zealand...thereby we are racing for you and the pride of wearing the silver fern.

None of this can happen of course without the sporting organisations that make it possible including:

New Zealand SUP

NZSUP organises the national race championships and teams for international events, oversees SUP schools and instruction, and campaigns on behalf of all paddle boarders in New Zealand on matters of safety, legislation and all other aspects of negotiation and liaison with other governing bodies.

Surfing New Zealand

Surfing New Zealand selects a New Zealand Stand Up Paddle and Paddle board Team annually. The team competes at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Stand Up Paddle and Paddle board Championship.

The World Stand Up Paddle and Paddle board Championship is an IOC (International Olympic Committee) recognised event which attracts approximately 150 paddlers from over 20 countries.

Paddlers compete for both individual and team medals. The event includes a relay for the top teams.

Fern...

Board...

Paddle...