Adria SUP Challenge 2026 Brings International SUP Racing to Koper

The fourth Adria SUP Challenge took place in Koper on September 5–6, bringing together 119 competitors from 13 nations for two days of exciting SUP racing at the Žusterna Water Sports Centre.

As the only sea race in the SUP Alps Trophy series, the event offered competitors a unique challenge on the Adriatic, combining demanding long-distance racing with fast and spectacular technical heats.

In the 10 km Long Distance overall, Hungary’s Dóra Ebenspanger won the women’s field, followed by Italy’s Lisa Venturelli and Hungary’s Zsofia Kolumban. In the men’s overall, Hungary’s Ódor Barnabás took first place, followed by fellow Hungarian Szabolcs Fodor, with Slovenia’s Maj Abbas Jokhadar in third.

The Technical Race delivered plenty of action. In the Open Women, Lisa Venturelli of Italy took the win, followed by Hungary’s Dóra Ebenspanger and Slovenia’s Vesna Pajić. In the Open Men, Hungary’s Ódor Barnabás claimed first place, ahead of fellow Hungarian Szabolcs Fodor, with Slovenia’s Maj Abbas Jokhadar in third.

Among the Slovenian competitors, Polona Pušljar once again proved herself to be one of the strongest female paddlers, taking victories in both the 50+ Women’s Long Distance and Technical Race categories.

The event, organised by Sports Association Naredi Nekaj za Naravo (NNN), recorded 214 discipline entries and 60 medals awarded, further strengthening Adria SUP Challenge as an important international SUP event on the Adriatic coast.

Koper once again proved that the Adriatic is a perfect stage for SUP racing — where the Alps meet the sea.