A Competitors Eye View Of The 7th Annual Cross The Euro Canal 2017

We spoke to ASI Instructor Akis Trovas who was one of the competitors at the Cross the Euro Canal, Corinth 7th annual SUP race in Greece on Sunday 15 October 2017.

The race is considered as one of the most fascinating SUP races of the year on the famous Corinth Canal as for one day only, naval traffic is stopped and paddlers from all over the world SUP the 6.343 meters through history. The Corinth Canal is a unique monument and only the few have the privilege to cross it on a Stand Up Paddle Board.

Akis talks us through the atmosphere and the race from a competitor’s perspective.

“The canal in Corinthos is breath taking, because it is only 25 meters wide and the walls surrounding the paddler is 80 meters high! The starting line was at Posidonia (the side from Corintiacos Gulf) and the finish line at Isthmia ( the Saronic Gulf side).

“The weather was very nice and sunny at 25 Celsius. It was windy, but the wind could only reach us at the start and finish lines, during the rest of the way there was no wind at all because of the high walls, but there is a small current because of the small tide in Greece, so the starting time was set at 13.00, to paddle along with the current.

“In total we were 325 athletes participating the race, from foreign countries also, and at the start line there where 283 SUP’s aligned waiting for the start! The start was hard but amazing!

“it was my first participation in a SUP race, and I wasn't expecting so many big wakes from all the paddlers. Luckily, I did not fall off and continued to paddle for the whole 6.343 meters none stop. I knew it was going to be hard but it was a little bit harder than I expected because the distance was long and most of the paddlers there were very good opponents. Further on, all athletes were kind, they showed respect to all other paddlers and were very good company all through the race.

“I hadn’t trained for the race and I was still recovering from a pulled shoulder, so when I entered the fourth and last quarter of the race I was very tired, dehydrated, my left side was not that strong and the right too tired.

“Despite the difficulties I managed to finish in 6th place in the men's 12.6 race and I’d love to do better in future races.

“I am a competitive athlete and a wakeboarding coach, however completing this race has increased my love for stand up paddling. I have started training since and want to buy my own race SUP.

“I would like to thank Zoe Karampatsou because, it was her idea to start the sport of SUP and she insisted to participate with her in this race! Zoe finished 5th in the women’s 14.0 category and she is my mentor to the sport of SUP.

“And to thanks also my friend Costas who leant me his Naish board 12.6. Without his board I couldn’t have raced. And my friend Sarandis for the paddle!

“It was a fantastic race and I can’t wait to do it again next year. Hopefully with my own board and paddle and a little more training under my belt!”

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