From May 26th to June 3rd, 2012, the Stand Up Paddle World Tour will descend on Tahiti, showcasing some of the best stand up paddling in the world. The big event, known as the Sapinus Pro Tahiti, is the third stop on the tour and also one of the most challenging. It’s set to take place in the beautiful region of Punaauia, which is considered by many to be one of the greatest surf spots in Tahiti, next to Teahupo’o and Taapuna.

Stand Up World Tour 

Established in 2009, the Stand Up World Tour is the official World Championship Tour for stand up paddling – a sport that has experienced exponential growth over the years. The goal of the tour is to showcase the sport, honor its heritage and foster its development by supporting the athletes and telling their stories.

Since its inception, the Stand Up World Tour has continued to gain global recognition. It currently welcomes the participation of athletes from 15 different nations. It also focuses on spreading the location of the various events across the globe, bringing the sport to a number of different cultures and communities.

This year’s event consists of 6 events in 6 countries including Hawaii, France, Tahiti, California, Brazil and a mystery destination known as “Location X,” where the finals will take place. Visitors to the website can even nominate where they think that should be. Once the other five stops are finished, only the world’s top 14 (plus 2 wildcards) will qualify for the prestigious final event.

Want to know more? Stay tuned for updates! In the meantime, here are some highlights from last year’s Sapinus Pro Tahiti: