On October 7, the 2026 Paddle Worldwide (PWW) Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) World Cup and China SUP Club League Suzhou leg drew to a close on the waterways surrounding Suzhou’s ancient city. Drawing more than 600 athletes from around the world, the event fosters international sports exchange through paddle sports, blending the city’s historic heritage with elite international competition.

The three-day event featured a wide range of divisions: Open, Junior, Masters 40+ and Masters 50+, catering to professional athletes, teenagers, and middle-aged and senior enthusiasts alike. Events included long-distance, sprint and technical races, with both individual and mixed-gender contests, crowning 44 overall champions across the program.

The event’s centerpiece is the 16km ancient city loop long-distance race. The course runs along a stretch of the Grand Canal, passing dozens of Suzhou’s historic landmarks including the Pingmen, Xiangmen and Panmen city gates. As competitors race, they take in sweeping views of ancient city walls, stone bridges and historic cityscapes lining both banks.