Last Paddler Standing: the first ever Sup Race that WON a Sup Race
The fascination of ULTRA
By Paolo Marconi
I first came across the Last Paddler Standing in the winter of 2022. I discovered it by chance, while browsing the web, first on social media and then visiting the official website, where I found out that this is not just a race, but an entity, a beast to tame, an unknown challenge that can lead you to experience a huge introspective journey.
That year, I participated in and won the first edition of the Last Paddler Standing, after 48 hours of racing, discovering a new dimension of SUP racing and fully immersing myself in ultra paddling. I discovered a fantastic community of paddlers who love to cover long distances and also enjoy reflecting on themselves through such a challenge. To this day, the Last Paddler Standing is the race that has given me the most emotions, profoundly changing my approach to the sport and to daily life.
The format of the Last Paddler Standing consists of a 5.5 km course to be completed within a one-hour time limit, every hour for 48 hours. From the 49th lap onward, the course transforms into a mythological figure, an 8 km route to be completed within the one-hour limit, after paddling for the previous two days with hardly any sleep.
To most people, this seems crazy, almost masochistic. Many don't see any sense in paddling slowly in the same place for over two days. However, if the concept of this race intrigues your desire for introspection, adventure, and pushing your limits, this is where you'll find what you're looking for.
The race takes place between November and December in Sarasota, at the artificial lake of Nathan Benderson Park. The creator of this challenge is Greg Wingo, who was freely inspired by the format of backyard running races. Greg has created one of the most fascinating alternative races in our sport. It will never be an event with hundreds of participants, but without a doubt, it is the event that creates the strongest connection between those watching from home and those paddling. Everyone watching from home has at least once mentally placed themselves in the race, empathizing with the athletes and reflecting on how they would feel if they were in their shoes.