Stand Up World Series Overview

The Stand Up World Series provides a professional competitive platform for the world's best Stand Up Paddle Racers to determine the legitimate Men's, Women's and U16 World Champions as a result of a WQS Series that spans the globe, and will culminate in the World Championship Finals at Turtle Bay on the North Shore of Oahu in October.

Race Formats

Each Stand Up World Series event will consist of 2 racing formats:

Long Distance: Anywhere from 7 - 20 miles, and either downwind coast run or course race, subject to location and local conditions

Sprint Course: Heat elimination format sprint course featuring 10 - 12 minute sprints customized to suit the surrounding environment

The overall result from long distance and sprint races combined will provide the qualification points and Final result from each event. Long distance and sprint races will be weighted equally.

Event Classification

Events are classified according to their prize purse, with the following event classifications:

Prime: US$20k or more
5 Star: US$15k or more
4 Star: US$10k or more
3 Star: US$5k or more

Prime events will garner the most points, with the points calculated relative to the level of the event and final placings. Event points will be determined from athletes' overall result, in both sprint and long distance. Points chart is included below.

Prize Money Split

Regardless of event level (prime, 5, 4 or 3 Star), total prize-money will be awarded in the following Ratios:
~ Men: 75% (i.e. for a $20,000 event, prize-money for men will be $15,000)
~ Women: 25% (i.e. for a $20,000 event, prize-money for women will be $5,000)

Prize-money will be awarded for the Top 5 in the Men, and Top 3 in the women with the following breakdown:

Ranking & Qualification

Athletes' best 3 results from the Series will count towards their overall ranking, making it possible for region specific qualification for the World Championship Finals and a truly global field of competitors.

The Top 200 men and Top 50 women will qualify for the World Championship Finals at Turtle Bay Resort, whittling it down to the very best of the best competing on Oahu's legendary North Shore from the 12th - 14th October 2012.

Coming into the World Championship Finals, athletes ranking from their best 3 results will make up 50% of the overall World Title and final ranking calculations, with the other 50% being determined by the World Championship Finals itself. The concept to this is to provide recognition and award for consistency through the year as well as top level performance at the Finals.

Equipment Standards

The World Qualifying Class will be a rudderless 12'6, and while many World Series races will have their events open to multiple classes, the qualifying Class will be 12'6 across the board, to create a uniform one board event and allow athletes to travel with their boards rather than face unsurmountable shipping charges and hassle to travel to events.

Entry Information

Our online entry system will go live shortly, but for any immediate entries and questions regarding the World Series and its events, please email: entryrace@watermanleague.com

2012 Series Schedule

Namotu World Paddle Challenge, Fiji: 13th - 18th November 2011
CamSur World Paddle Challenge: San Jose, Philippines: 19th - 22nd April (Prime)
La Torche Pro Grand Slam, Brittany, France: 5th/6th May (3 Star)
St Tropez, France - St. Tropez: 25/26th May (3 Star)
France: Ile d'Oleron: 23-25th June (4 Star)
Anzio, Italy: 9th - 10th June (tbc)
Chicago World Paddle Challenge: June 30th - July 1st (Prime)
Denmark: 7th - 8th July (4 star)
Sweden: 14th - 15th July (Prime)
Maui World Paddle Challenge: 21st - 22nd July (Prime)
Kauai: 4th - 5th August (4 Star)
Brazil Grand Slam: 1st - 2nd September (level tbd)
Florida: 8th - 9th September (Prime)
Tahoe World Paddle Challenge: 22nd - 23rd September (Prime)
Huntington Beach Pro Grand Slam, California: 13 - 19th September (Prime)
Oahu: World Championship Finals: 12th - 14th October (Finals)*
Namotu World Paddle Challenge invitational, Fiji: 11th - 17th November (Event Special)**

*World Championship Finals to offer a minimum of Prime level prize-money, but different points system, as detailed under the rankings and qualification section

*Event specials to offer a minimum of 5 Star or Prime prize-money levels