Les Sables d'Olonne, France – September 24, 2023
The streets of the picturesque town of Les Sables d’Olonne in France were filled with thousands of people to welcome the 2023 ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship.
The Parade of Nations kicked off proceedings, featuring 200 athletes, representing 30 national teams, including Belgium and Saudi Arabia for their very first WSUPPC. The teams flew their flags high, as they marched through the city and along the waterfront with loud cheers ringing out, led by a local batucada ensemble and backed up by the Atomic Brass Band.
Spectators lined the streets to welcome the athletes to the Opening Ceremony stage, where the ISA’s signature Sands of the World tradition took place. A flag-bearer and sand-pourer representing each national team poured sand from their local beach into a single container, a symbol of the peaceful gathering of the nations through sport.
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