Categories & Quotas
Flatwater Freestyle
Up to 3 videos per participant
Total cap: 50 entries
Mandatory conditions:
• Tricks must be performed on an inflatable SUP board
• Life jacket is required
River Wave Freestyle
Up to 3 videos per participant
Total cap: 30 entries
Mandatory conditions:
• An inflatable SUP board must be used
• Required:
– Life jacket
– Leash attached to a waist belt or to the life jacket
• Recommended: helmet and additional protection
Official judging sheets available in five languages:
🇬🇧 🇺🇸 English, 🇪🇸 Spanish, 🇮🇹 Italian, 🇩🇪 German, 🇷🇺 Russian
Each entry is scored based on:
Board control
Paddle control
Movement on the board
Balance
Flow and continuity
The wow factor
Judges of the World Freestyle SUP League 2025
Pavel Kochanov
World Freestyle SUP League Organizer & Judge (🇷🇺Russia)
Pioneer of Whitewater and Freestyle SUP
@kochanov_p
Through my actions, I aim to make Freestyle SUP more accessible to everyone — developing it as a global sport and inspiring riders across continents.
I focus on supporting newcomers, promoting the discipline worldwide, and expanding the traditional boundaries of paddleboarding.As an active rider, I’ve paddled some of the wildest whitewater sections and performed some of the craziest tricks during my wild freestyle sessions.
I also design SUP boards, which gives me deeper insight into how gear influences performance.In my daily life, I’m an education expert. As a learning designer and methodologist, I love creating educational and training courses for paddleboarding.
As a judge in the World Freestyle SUP League 2025, I’m excited to evaluate entries, witness the progress of riders, and be part of this global and friendly SUP event.
José Luis Capuñay Arana
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇵🇪 Peru / 🇨🇦 Canada
Category: Flatwater Freestyle
Age: 52
Location: Montreal, Canada
Rider nickname: El Jaguar
TikTok
Started paddling during the pandemic at age 49 and became one of the most dedicated freestyle riders in North America. Known for his unique paddle spear technique and passion for sharing the sport.
Lorenzo Battistoni
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇮🇹 Italy
Category: Flatwater Freestyle
Age: 23
Location: Garda Lake, Italy
Team rider: SUPEXPERIENCE School
TikTok
Lorenzo Battistoni — Italian rider and coach from Supexperience, developing Flatwater Freestyle since 2021 with a focus on style, technique, and a passion for teaching.
Yuri StarDrop
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇯🇵 Japan
Category: Flatwater Freestyle
Location: Japan
Style: Paddle Twirling, SUP Hop
Yuri StarDrop — Japanese rider and creator of Paddle Twirling, blending freestyle with rhythm, balance, and smooth paddle control. Since 2022, she’s developed her own dance-based SUP style known as SUP Hop.
Hironobu Sano
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇯🇵 Japan
Category: Flatwater Freestyle
Location: Japan
Team rider: Freestyle SUP JAPAN
YouTube
A true pioneer of flatwater freestyle SUP in Japan. For 8 years, Hiro has been developing the sport from scratch — inventing new tricks and laying the foundation for modern freestyle. He serves as both organizer and judge in major national events, and is dedicated to helping freestyle SUP become a global movement.
Mio
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇯🇵 Japan
Category: Flatwater Freestyle
Location: Japan
Team rider: Freestyle SUP JAPAN
YouTube
A dedicated rider and leader of women's interests in freestyle SUP. Mio has been practicing freestyle SUP for 5 years and works closely with Hiro to grow the sport across Japan. As both a passionate athlete and a creative force, she shares a unique message: freestyle SUP is for everyone — including women who want to express themselves on the board. In the 2025 League, Mio joins the judging panel — bringing a fair eye and a fresh perspective grounded in experience and emotion.
McKenzie SUP
World Freestyle SUP League Judge Team, River Wave Freestyle
🇯🇵 Japan
Category: River Wave Freestyle
Location: Niigata, Japan
Leaders: Kenji & Masami
Web Site
Kenji & Masami — a passionate team promoting river SUP in Japan. Kenji has been working on rivers since 2009, and since 2020 they’ve been developing SUP tours in Niigata. Together, they teach, run workshops, and help grow the culture of river paddleboarding.
Ksenia Arendarchuk
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇷🇺 Russia
Category: Flatwater Freestyle
Age: 23
Location: Republic of Karelia, Russia
Team Rider: Lucky Charm Whitewater & Freestyle SUP
/personal/
/team/
Ksenia started SUP in 2021, quickly diving into whitewater, river surfing, and freestyle. A winner of the women’s flatwater category and bronze medalist on the river wave at the first online FREESTYLE SUP League, she judged at the 2025 Vuoksa Freestyle SUP Challenge and now joins the World Freestyle SUP League judging team.
Ricardo Batista
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, Flatwater Freestyle
🇵🇹 Portugal
Location: Portugal
Team: West SUP Stylers
Focus: Flatwater Freestyle, SUP Content
YouTube
TikTok
One of the creators of flatwater Freestyle SUP and author of the world’s first freestyle SUP board (2018). Teaching since 2010, Ricardo has trained riders from different countries, developed innovative gear and actively promoted freestyle SUP as a true aquatic art. With his experience and passion, he joins the judging team — and is always happy to help, share knowledge and support the community.
Leonid Litvinov
World Freestyle SUP League Judge, River Wave Freestyle
🇷🇺 Russia
Category: River Wave Freestyle
Location: St. Petersburg & Leningrad Region, Russia
Community: SPBSURFCLUB NEWS
Telegram
Web Site
Leonid has over 30 years of experience in surfing and SUP. From catching waves on an inflatable mattress in Abkhazia to big waves in France and Portugal, he’s been shaping the SUP scene in Russia. He founded surf spots in St. Petersburg, competed in Russia’s first SUP championships, and placed 6th at the 2018 nationals. He’s ISA-certified as both instructor and judge, and also runs SPBSURFCLUB NEWS
World Freestyle SUP League 2025