Austria to host Dragon World Championships 2018

It is with much excitement that we can announce the location of the 2018 Dragon World Championships. The world’s only dedicated, global TEAM SUP competition is set to be unleashed on the shores of Lake Fuschl, Austria on the 31st August to September 2nd 2018.

Just 30 minutes from Salzburg, Fuschl am See is a quaint Austrian village perched on the shores of the emerald alpine waters. Rich in culture, it is nestled amongst the Austrian Alps providing a natural, and quite simply mind blowing, amphitheatre to stage all the action.

This years three-day event will bring together teams from across the globe, to battle it out on the purpose built, four-person inflatable paddle boards in what is set to be the ultimate SUP event.

The 22ft inflatable board which boasts unrivalled stiffness, durability and transportability due to the exclusive use of MSL Fusion technology, took the paddle board world by storm in 2017 and once again, we are challenging all paddlers, no matter age or ability, to rally a team together and unleash the dragon.

Following last years success, our Co-Founder, John Hibbard is expecting big things for DWC 2018;

“This isn’t an exclusive event for just a select few.The Dragon World Championships are a celebration of SUP, designed to test team camaraderie as much as flat out speed and power. The fact the boards pack down and can be checked on to a plane makes this one of the most diverse, action-packed and entertaining SUP events on the planet. Who knows, you could be a World Champion by the end of the year!”

To qualify for the 2018 Championships, teams can either participate in one of the numerous Dragon World Series events happening throughout the season or simply purchase their ticket for entry on the website. These events range in size and are designed to allow everyone a chance to get to grips with the mighty Red Dragon boards and smoke the opposition. Last year saw over 50 Dragon events take place across the globe, granting thousands of paddlers automatic qualification regardless of ability, position, time or speed.

Georgie Page, captain of family team 'Team Puffin' recalls;

"Red paddle Co could not have been more welcoming and supportive to us. We left the Championships completely stoked and talking team tactics for next year. It is an amazing memory for us all and the kids have taken so much enthusiasm from it."

The inaugural Championships, which took place in Barbados in October 2017, saw history being made as teams, representing over ten countries, took to the water to compete for the first ever Dragon World Title. After three days of fast, adrenaline-fuelled racing it was local team, and event partners Paddle Barbados that claimed victory, but left everyone feeling like winners in their own right.

“I had the most fun and excitement I could have ever imagined." Says New York SUP enthusiast and 'RED SUP Ladies' team member, Noriko Okaya, who helped her team to second place at last year's event.

"I met and bonded with new friends that share a passion for paddle boarding from all over the world and came home with precious memories. The location was absolutely amazing and the event was incredibly organized. The staff couldn't have been more supportive in helping me and the team not only have the best race we could have had, but also an experience of a lifetime."

Early bird entry is now open for the 2018 Championships with team entry just €100 / €25 per person.

Let the training begin...