Picture the historic centre of Saint Petersburg, with a huge procession of paddleboarders moving between embankments and bridges. Some choose simple paddling clothes, while others turn their boards into elaborate sets and prepare costumes well before the start. This is Fontanka SUP, a festival combining a city outing with a carnival.
The festival began in 2016. According to its organisers, 11,000 people took part in 2026, setting a new record for the event. The eight-kilometre route followed the Fontanka River, Kryukov Canal and Moika River, passing beneath 28 bridges.
There is more to the occasion than completing the route. Costumes, decorated boards and spectators along the embankments are part of the celebration. Participants create outfits in which they need to balance, paddle and keep every detail in place.
The festival shows how varied SUP can be. For some it is a sport, for others a way to travel. Here it also becomes a reason to meet and see the city in a different way.
You do not need to start with a large event. A first relaxed outing lets you get to know the board and discover what you enjoy most: training, exploring new places or spending time with friends.
Sources: Fontanka SUP