Stand-up paddle grows, competes and wins medals at South American Games | OneFootball

Santino Basaldella and Juliette Duhaime won gold, while Lucía Clembosky and Ignacio Arias took silver and bronze, respectively. Beyond the achievement itself, the result is a major boost for the sport.

Stand Up Paddle made its debut in the city of Santa Fe at the 2026 South American Games, and with great success. The event brought together the top athletes from different countries and placed the sport in a high-level competition setting.

For Argentina’s Stand Up Paddle (SUP) representatives, it was no ordinary day. Beyond their respective successes, it was a chance to compete in a context that gave them the opportunity to measure their level, share the experience with other athletes, and showcase the development the sport has been undergoing.

This Tuesday, of the six medals up for grabs, four went to the Argentine delegation. In the easternmost area of Laguna Setúbal, the SUP course was set up, where the 200-meter sprint races were held first.

Juliette Duhaime and Lucía Clembosky (gold and silver), and Santino Basaldella and Ignacio Arias (gold and bronze), took on the continental challenge and returned with medals, but also with an experience that represents a new step for a sport in full growth.

“Teacher and student”

Juliette Duhaime was, at one point, the first person to give Lucía Clembosky a SUP lesson. Today, they won medals together for Argentina.

“This achievement fills me with happiness. I work very hard every day for this, so it’s really great to see that reflected. On top of that, sharing this race with Lucía, whom I gave her first SUP lesson to, is wonderful, a huge source of pride,” said Duhaime, who was born in the United States but chose to represent Argentina (her mother is Argentine and her father is American).

For her part, Lucía Clembosky said, “I’m happy to share the podium with Juliette. But beyond the achievement, this is a sport where we have a very high level in Argentina, and these kinds of competitions help it grow.”

Competing in the South American Games

Basaldella highlighted the importance of having been part of a competition of this kind and emphasized the entire journey it took to reach the Games.

“Racing here in Santa Fe was really beautiful. I’m very happy to be able to contribute a little something to the Argentine team.”

“Our responsibility is to train every day. When we come here, we enjoy it and also showcase our sport so it can keep growing,” added the South American gold medalist.

For his part, Ignacio Arias, bronze medal winner, said: “It was a very exciting and demanding race. The sprint is short, but in the water it’s experienced with great intensity. It’s a privilege to have this event here, and the support from the people and from our families is something you feel, and it’s fundamental,” he said.

A sport looking to keep growing

Beyond the results achieved, the presence of Stand Up Paddle at the South American Games represents an important showcase for a sport that continues to expand.

Participation in a continental competition makes it possible to gain experience, raise the sporting level, and at the same time bring the sport closer to new audiences.

The medals won by Basaldella, Arias, Duhaime, and Clembosky thus fit into a context of growth and serve as momentum for what lies ahead.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.