The 11th annual Fontanka SUP festival took place in central St Petersburg on 1 August 2026, turning the city’s waterways into a colorful stand-up paddleboarding event. Participants paddled through the Russian city in themed outfits, blending sport with festival-style entertainment.
A standout feature of the gathering was the cosplay element. Surfers appeared dressed as fairy-tale and cartoon characters, creating a playful scene on the water and giving the event a strong visual identity.
Held in the center of St Petersburg, the Fontanka SUP festival again highlighted how paddleboarding can be presented as both recreation and spectacle. The combination of costumes and boards made the annual event feel closer to a parade on water than a traditional competition.
Now in its 11th year, the festival remains a recognizable summer attraction in St Petersburg. Its mix of costume creativity, urban scenery and stand-up paddleboarding continues to set it apart from more conventional sporting events.
