Benoît Carpentier and Marine Kerdreux retain their stand-up paddleboarding crowns : the two riders once again claimed the national title in the finals held in southern Landes. A top-level performance at the end of the second day of the French Surfing and SUP Surf Championships.
Benoît Carpentier and Marine Kerdreux, French SUP Surf champions
The finals took place under beautiful Landes sunshine. In this competition, stand-up paddleboarding is practiced as surfing: athletes paddle standing up to the peak, then aim to ride the waves with precision and commitment.
The crown retained by the two champions confirms their mastery of the discipline. For board sports enthusiasts, SUP Surf requires a careful balance of reading the water, positioning, and line selection: effective paddling is not enough; you also need to find the right rhythm.
A national title rewarding SUP Surf mastery
The French championship brings together several board sports disciplines and highlights distinctly different formats. Here, the SUP Surf title rewards performance on the waves, while a paddle race is based on speed and course: two playing fields, two ways of approaching the effort.
For Benoît Carpentier and Marine Kerdreux alike, this latest victory adds to an already impressive record. In a final, every choice matters: being in the right place, selecting a rideable wave, and staying clear-headed as the pressure builds.
| Key point | Information |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Stand-up paddle surf |
| Result | Benoît Carpentier and Marine Kerdreux retain their titles |
| Setting | Finals of the French Surfing and SUP Surf Championships |
| Location mentioned | Southern Landes |
The keys to a SUP Surf final
SUP Surf requires continuously reading the water. Positioning, paddling, and wave selection all work together: a good start can offer a clean line, while a late decision quickly reduces the options.
- Reading the spot : identifying the areas where waves break and anticipating how they will develop.
- Positioning : getting to the right area without wasting energy paddling.
- Commitment : commit at the right moment to catch the wave and build an effective line.
- Managing the final : stay clear-headed and capitalize on opportunities rather than forcing every attempt.
This combination of technique and composure is what separates solid heats from decisive moments. To better understand the differences between equipment and practices, a look at surfing as the ocean’s playground sheds light on the diversity of sensations in board sports.
SUP Surf at the heart of water sports in the Landes
In the southern Landes, board sports culture takes many forms. Stand-up paddle adds a paddle to the equation, changing positioning and speed generation, but the essentials remain familiar to surfers: reading the sets, choosing a line, and adapting to conditions.
This closeness to surfing explains the appeal of SUP Surf among practitioners in the region. The water sports share the same playing field, but each discipline has its own rhythm; competitors must therefore adjust their approach rather than mechanically repeat their habits.
A discipline to discover from Hossegor
For riders looking to get familiar with different board sports equipment, choosing the right gear and spot remains crucial. The benchmarks presented in this guide to surf equipment in Hossegor provide a better understanding of equipment suited to the practice, without confusing the requirements of surfing with those of paddleboarding.
The new crown for Carpentier and Kerdreux is a reminder of an obvious truth: in competition, success is built as much through preparation as through the ability to seize the right opportunity when it arises.
Who won the national stand-up paddle surf title?
Benoît Carpentier and Marine Kerdreux retained their French SUP Surf champion crowns.
Where were the finals held?
The French Surfing and SUP Surf Championship finals took place in the southern Landes under bright sunshine.
Is SUP Surf a paddle race?
No. SUP Surf is a wave-riding discipline in which athletes paddle while standing before surfing. Paddle racing prioritizes speed and the course.
What skills does competitive SUP Surf require?
The discipline requires reading the water, positioning, paddle control, wave selection, and the ability to stay clear-headed in the final.