Two days of racing, gear testing, prizes and national-level event atmosphere, with the sea and all the services of PuntAla Camp & Resort always close at hand.
More than 100 athletes are expected for the Sparviero SUP Challenge – Memorial Sara D’Apolito, the fifth stop of the FISSW Italian SUP Race and Paddleboard Category Championship, scheduled for 6 and 7 June 2026 in Punta Ala.
Punta Ala Sup Experience ASD will host this national-level competition, now in its fourth edition and already a regular stop on the FISSW calendar: a well-tested event from an organisational point of view, and one that is always highly appreciated by both participants and the public.
Athletes, teams, coaches and companions will gather for a weekend of competition in one of the most spectacular race areas of the circuit: the beach of PuntAla Camp & Resort, on the Tuscan coast, with the Island of Elba on the horizon and the Isolotto dello Sparviero giving the event its name and identity.
The Punta Ala stop combines competitive value, the quality of the race area and highly functional logistics, with the event taking place entirely inside the resort: elements that have made the Sparviero SUP Challenge one of the most recognisable events on the circuit.
The programme includes two days of racing. On Saturday 6 June, athletes will compete in the Sprint Race at 11:30, followed by the Relay in the afternoon at 15:30. On Sunday 7 June, it will be time for the Distance Race, starting from the beach at 10:00, followed by the prize giving.
This is the race format where endurance and the ability to read wind, current and sea conditions come into play the most.
When the weather allows, the Distance Race course heads towards the Isolotto dello Sparviero, following a route parallel to the coast. Thanks to the shape of the Gulf of Follonica, the race area generally offers a stretch of water protected from strong currents and heavy waves. It is the most iconic section of the event: a technical and scenic race, highly spectacular also for those watching from land.
Alongside the SUP Race events, there will also be a Paddleboard race, where athletes paddle lying on the board, without using a paddle.
For spectators and resort guests, the show is guaranteed: starts, race passages and finishes will take place right in front of the equipped beach of PuntAla Camp & Resort. A competitive event to follow just a few metres from the action, directly from the shoreline, the beach bar or comfortably from the shade of your own beach umbrella.
Logistics is one of the strong points of the Sparviero SUP Challenge: the Race Office, beach, technical area, accommodation, restaurants and resort services are all just a few metres apart, creating the atmosphere of a small sports village overlooking the sea. For athletes, this means fewer transfers, less downtime and easier race-day management, with time to relax and socialise with the other participants.
The weekend will be even more engaging, also for those not racing, thanks to the presence of JLD Infinity, with a stand available throughout the weekend, boards and equipment to test freely for everyone: an opportunity to try out materials, connect with leading technical brands and come together with the SUP and Paddleboard community.
The Sparviero SUP Challenge is also an event dedicated to the memory of Sara D’Apolito, athlete and instructor at Centro Velico Punta Ala, who tragically passed away in 2021. The Memorial was created to keep alive her energy, her smile and the passion Sara was able to share with everyone who approached this sport.
Info, program and registration:
https://www.centrovelicopuntaala.it/campionato-italiano-sup-race-e-paddleboard-tappa5/
