The 2026 European SUP League season came to a spectacular conclusion in Sesimbra, Portugal, where Donato Freens and Alba Alonso Frey were crowned the men’s and women’s European SUP League champions.
The Sesimbra SUP Festival, held from 11–13 September at Praia do Ouro, brought together nearly 200 participants for the final event of a six-stop season across five European countries. Organised by Surf Clube de Sesimbra together with the European SUP League and the European Surfing Federation, the Grand Finale featured Sprint, Long Distance and Technical Race competitions.
Freens secures his first ESL title
Dutch rider Donato Freens closed the season at the top of the men’s overall standings with 3,007 points, securing the 2026 European SUP League title.
Freens finished third in both the Sprint and Long Distance races in Sesimbra before taking a decisive victory in the Technical Race. His consistent performances throughout the season allowed him to claim the championship ahead of Spain’s Aarón Sánchez Quetglas, who finished runner-up with 2,881 points, and Sergio Cantoral Quirant, who completed the overall podium with 2,693 points.
Alba Alonso Frey successfully defends her title
In the women’s category, Alba Alonso Frey successfully defended her European SUP League title, finishing the season with 3,328 points.
The Spanish rider delivered a standout performance in the Grand Finale, winning both the Sprint and Technical Race while finishing second in the Long Distance. Her results in Sesimbra capped another highly consistent season at the top of the European SUP League.
Nuria Chiquero García finished second overall with 2,574 points, while Italy’s Bianca Toncelli took third place with 2,289 points.
A strong finish to the 2026 season
The Sesimbra Grand Finale brought together the leading riders of the circuit for three days of competition, community and Stand Up Paddle, closing a season that visited Santa Pola, Taranto, Zurich, Rybnik, Isla Cristina and Sesimbra.
Spanish riders also enjoyed a particularly strong weekend, taking five of the six available podium victories across the three disciplines and occupying five of the six places on the overall men’s and women’s podiums.
The 2026 season further consolidates the European SUP League as a platform connecting athletes, federations, clubs and event organisers across Europe, while continuing to strengthen the visibility and professional development of Stand Up Paddle at European level.
Congratulations to all the athletes, organisers, officials, volunteers, partners and supporters who made the 2026 European SUP League season possible.