My last blog received a lot of feedback on the Facebook groups where it was shared and, as a result, I have had the opportunity to talk to Dr Rob Cynowa about the recent ICF SUP World Championships.
Rob was on the commentary team at the ICF SUP World Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida and commented on my blog, clarifying some points around the ladies' Tech Race. He also posted a link to the free webcast on RHSTV which was broadcast during the event. If you have not yet had a chance to watch all of the action from Sarasota you can see all of the day 5 action here
There are some incredible performances from athletes, and I recommend putting some time aside to watch the men race the long-distance event.
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| Rob, Sarah and Mathieu, Elite Level Commentary Team. ICF / RHSTV broadcast. |
Hi Rob, thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog and for talking to me about the ICF SUP World Championships. I have now had the chance to catch up on the action I think I can speak for everyone who watched it in saying you, Mathieu and Sarah did a great job. Thank you.
Hey there! Thanks for reaching out and including me! The more big thinkers we have in this world, the better it can develop.
Ha, I am not sure I have ever been a big thinker but I’ll take it! I think we had better start with an easy question, for those who do not know you already, who is Dr. Rob Cynowa?
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| Rob and Megan Cynowa |
That is easy, I’m Rob Cynowa, a Chiropractor of 15 years by day, a SUP nut by night!
I am the race director for the Goat Boater Race Series, a small branch of The Goat Boater (goatboater.com or @goatboater), a full-service SUP business my wife, Megan Cynowa, (The Goat) is owner of. She lets me do a few fun things here and there! Together, we’ve overseen more than 25 stand-up paddleboard (SUP) races in every format you can imagine: sprints, technical challenges, paddle battles, and Long distance formats. We’ve even thrown in a pirate race for good measure!
Beyond the race series and slinging boards for my wife, I am a paddlefit certified coach, love racing, an International Technical Officiant, World Championship Commentator, and serve on the ACA SUP Competition Committee (that’s the American Canoe Association’s competition SUP branch) and the USA SUP Board of Directors. These roles allow me to advocate for the sport’s growth while working to shape its competitive future.
That is a fantastic resume! I think I would be correct in saying that you are in an excellent position to help paddlers and spectators who are new to the sport better understand the implementation of the rules and regulations at the recent ICF World Championships, in particular the ladies’ Tech Race, clarifying the disqualifications.
ICF SUP World Championship Highlights
But, before looking at the more controversial incidents what was the highlight of the 2024 ICF World SUP Championships for you?
The Championship was a huge success in my opinion. Over 550 racers from 50 countries gathered at the world-class Nathan Benderson Park, an Olympic-grade facility, A larger percentage of the top male and female competitors internationally, marking the ICF championship’s first-ever appearance in the United States.
The Good, the Imperfect, and the Unprecedented
That said, no event is perfect. There were challenges, some more public than others, and a few issues no one seems willing to talk about (yet). It did not live up to Thailand’s championship last year, where I raced and commentated, but we’ll save that comparison for another day.
What did stand out, was the 10K long-distance race
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| The best long distance race so far? ICF / RHSTV broadcast |
I agree! Flatwater racing is often dismissed as boring by those longing for the days of the BoP (see my first Olympic Future blog here to find out about that) but the course at Sarasota gave us some of the best World Championship racing so far, no waves but an intense, tactical battle between the best paddlers in the world.
Absolutely! This year the long distance race format turned heads and flipped the script on what we’ve come to expect.
Traditionally, long-distance SUP racing has been predictable:
- A sprint in the first 1–2 minutes to secure a spot in the front pack.
- The tempo slows as paddlers fall in line, taking turns leading and drafting.
- About two-thirds into the race, someone makes a break to shake off the draft train.
- Draft train breaks and everyone sprints the last 2 minutes to the finish.
- This race? Totally different.
It was, I think that might have been the best flatwater SUP race we have seen in some time. For those who have not seen the race can you talk us through it?
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| The widest draft train? ICF / RHSTV Broadcast |
I would love to!
Instead of the familiar rhythm, it was a high-energy rollercoaster of cadence and tempo changes, with constant sprint attacks by multiple paddlers. Leaders were spread six or seven wide throughout the race, making for a chaotic, killer finish. Aside from what Shuri did, it was almost impossible to predict where the other top 9 would finish.
It’s tempting to dismiss this as a fluke, but I’m not convinced. The same phenomenon unfolded in both the open men’s and women’s races—held at different times—which suggests a deliberate shift in strategy, or the exploration of it.
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| The flattest of flatwater at over 11 km/h. ICF / RHSTV broadcast |
Great point. Because it was harder to see the men in action (and I have only just caught up!) I am guilty here of focusing on them but the ladies' race, which was held just before the men in similar conditions, was also a close tactical fight between the best in the world
When I spoke with Seychelle, she confirmed what many of us were sensing. She described the race as adding a challenging new layer to long-distance SUP: ‘Drafting with a side of chaos’, is how I interpreted her statement. The heavy side wash created by so many sprint attacks and side by side paddlers; made traditional drafting extremely challenging, forcing racers to adapt on the fly. How does one choose who to draft behind when there are 5-6 paddlers in front?
This unpredictable, dynamic style brought a fresh energy to long-distance racing—and as Seychelle also noted, was unheard of 2-3 years ago in flatwater.
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| The Ladies' long-distance. ICF / RHSTV Broadcast |
The Technical Race
At the very start of the webcast commentary for day 5 you and your co-commentators covered events from the Ladies’ technical race when things were still not settled. Later, you were kind enough to comment on my post, correcting my error where I had thought that the rules for ISA and ICF were the same.
I have copied your reply to my post in SUP Race World here
“… one correction I might add is the 1/2 board length rule you stated. There is no such rule in the ICF SUP rulebook. Currently there is not a rule regarding 'right of way'. The rulebook defines though making contact with an athlete and the extend they are disadvantaged. Ie...mild disadvantage can be a 10 second penalty, significant (falling) is a DQ. I feel the correct call was made based on the rulebook. Yet, I feel the rulebook is still catching up to SUP. Luckily it is reviewed every year and changes have been adopted. Slowly though. This is a process in which I hope to help with moving forward.”
Sadly, that race got more social media coverage than the races on day 5. Now that the dust has settled after the event what lessons do you think can be learned from that race to improve the sport going forward to the future ICF events?
Of course, the facts matter and there is a lot to learn from the event.
Let’s start with the facts—how SUP rules and officiating work at the international championship level. The process is tiered, involving certified International Technical Officants (ITO’s) to ensure fairness. Here’s a rundown:
Certified ITOs at the Helm: At World Championship races, 15–20 certified International Technical Officials (ITOs) oversee proceedings. Many are strategically positioned on boats near buoy turns to monitor the action closely.
Documentation in Real-Time: During each race, ITOs take detailed notes of any infractions they witness, which are promptly forwarded to the competition committee.
Competition Committee Oversight: The competition manager and committee also monitor the races for infractions, often relying on ITOs stationed at turns for clarification or evidence.
Limited Disciplinary Options: The competition committee currently really only has three primary options for addressing rule violations:
- No Call
- 10-Second Penalty
- Disqualification (DQ)
Right to Protest: Racers can raise concerns with the competition committee directly or file an official protest. The latter requires a 75 Euro fee and initiates a formal review process.
Ladies Tech Race, turn 4 - Juliette's Incident
In Juliette’s case, the officials identified interference at Turn 4, initially ruling it as a DQ. Juliette formally protested, prompting a review. The decision was later downgraded to a 10-second penalty—likely because Rika did not fall off her board, and the interference was deemed mild.
Ladies Tech Race - Seychelle’s Incident:
Seychelle faced a similar situation, but with one critical difference:Mariecarmen Rivera fell off her board following the interference. This escalated the severity of the infraction, and the DQ stood after review.
Thank you for clarifying what happened to those four athletes on the course, it is interesting to learn about the process and the effort that goes into making a race as fair as possible, and the difficulties that officials face in doing so.
Yes, it is a huge undertaking that, when things go well is hopefully unnoticed by spectators.
Other Incidents
While the spotlight often falls on high-profile cases, there were numerous other penalties and DQs throughout the five days of competition. For instance, in one technical heat, three female paddlers were disqualified for failing to finish between the final two buoys—a stark reminder of how crucial course awareness is at this level.
I have to credit the ITOs, who worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk each day to maintain fairness. Their dedication is commendable, but they are undeniably limited by the infancy of the current rule set. As the sport evolves, so must the framework supporting it, to ensure that officials have the tools they need to make consistent, well-informed calls.
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| Rob Cynowa - SUP Racer. Image The Goatboater |
Rules, Penalties, and the Path Forward
As a commentator, racer, race director and coach what do you think needs to be done to improve SUP Racing and, maybe, move the sport towards a bigger, Olympic, future?
Beyond disqualifications (DQs), this event (and many others I’ve experienced) highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to race rules. SUP racing currently lacks a clear, universally accepted penalty system, which inevitably leads to inconsistency and frustration among racers.
To address this, I’ve been working on a tiered framework for penalties. Here are the highlights:
Unintentional Penalties (Personal Fouls) (2)
These address minor infractions, such as incidental contact, that don’t significantly impact another racer’s performance. Penalties could range from 5 to 10 seconds, depending on the severity:
Personal 1: 5 seconds added to the offender’s time.
Personal 2: 10 seconds added.
Intentional Penalties (Technical Fouls) (2)
These cover more serious infractions—predetermined and clearly defined—such as deliberately causing another paddler to stumble, fall, or otherwise impede their progress. Penalties could range from 10 to 30 seconds, and unlike personal fouls, they can compensate the affected paddler with time adjustments:
Technical 1: 5 seconds added to the offender’s time, 5 seconds subtracted from the affected racer’s time.
Technical 2: 10 seconds added to the offender, 10 seconds subtracted from the affected racer.
Let’s be honest: what good does a DQ do for someone who is knocked off their board and loses 10–15 seconds just getting back on? This system aims to balance the scales more effectively.
I completely agree!
Flagrant Penalties
This top tier addresses blatant, unsportsmanlike conduct, such as reckless interference. Consequences could include disqualification (DQ) from:
A single race.
The entire event.
One or more future competitions.
Is this system perfect? Not at all. But what we currently have lacks any semblance of a framework. With a structure in place, we can better define various scenarios, set precedents, and maybe even address critical issues like establishing “right of way.”
Why is this important? Without clear rules, racers can’t prepare properly or trust that infractions will be handled fairly. A structured penalty system provides the clarity and professionalism essential for SUP’s growth as a legitimate, competitive sport.
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| Organised chaos at the first turn for the men. ICF Broadcast |
Growing Pains and Opportunities
Could a more comprehensive rule-set take away some of the joy for spectators and add a level of complication for racers?
Yes, implementing and enforcing these rules won’t be easy. Smaller races may lack the resources—like volunteers or video replay—to apply them consistently. But this isn’t unique to SUP. Take basketball, for example: the rules are the same whether you’re playing on an NBA court or a street court without referees. It’s about setting a standard that everyone understands and can strive toward. We all keep worrying about the ‘How’, lets focus on ‘What’ first and the ‘How’ will find a way.
We’ve already seen how technology, like replays, can shape accountability. At the championship, footage of incidents like Seychelle colliding with Mariecarmen are widespread and clearly have sparked discussions about how rules could—or should—be applied. These moments are ripe for learning and the importance of transparency and consistency as the sport evolves.
Absolutely! On one side of the argument is that racing should be decided on the course, but on the other, the sport is maturing and becoming more professional, along with that comes more responsibility for race officials to ensure that racing is fair, easy to understand and provides entertainment for spectators.
Looking Ahead Further
SUP racing is at an exciting crossroads. Events like the ICF SUP World Championships highlight the sports potential, but we need to address foundational issues—rules, with a comprehensive strategy—to truly thrive. Lets also not forget about some of the other drama items during ICF, like board weight regulations…next chat!
And there is one rule, the minimum weight in ICF competitions, that makes me wonder why. But that is for another day.
How should we end this chat?
Oh, that is easy - Paddle On Humans, and don’t forget to ‘Get to the Goat Boater’ in 2025!
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| This image and plenty of others can be found at The Goat Boater https://thegoatboater.com/gallery |