Without doubt, holding the ISA SUP and prone paddle board World Championships in Fiji got the world talking: not all in equal measure, by its controversy, the hiatus in confirmation, amazing venue and how the hell were we going to get 12’6 race boards out there?
On paper Fiji was the perfect option. After all who wouldn’t want to surf Cloudbreak with only four people out?
To those who were not present it is difficult to convey the sheer beauty of the place, no matter how many pictures taken of the juxtaposition of palm with sand and clear blue water. For Fijian tourism it must have been a real boon to host the event despite the hefty price tag it was rumoured to come with. As for the International Surfing Association hosting the event in Fiji was a real feather in the cap, sending signals of competency toward the International Olympic Committee with the incumbent logistics of delivering a modern sporting event (high quality images, immediate copy, drones and ubiquitous live streaming) from a floating platform 30km out in the Pacific Ocean.
