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Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a branch of surfing that challenges participants to stand on a large floating board and propel themselves across the water using paddles. The route runs along the Fontanka River, the Kryukov Canal, the Moika River, and the Griboyedov Canal, offering participants the opportunity to admire the historical beauty of numerous famous landmarks in the heart of Saint Petersburg (such as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the Summer Palace, the Dom Knigi Bookstore, the Tovstonogov Theatre, the Faberge Museum, etc.).
Beyond a race, a flashmob on SUP boards, and a Miss SUP beauty contest, the most special aspect of “Fontanka-SUP” is its unique parade. Each participant dons a colorful costume or dresses up as characters from fairy tales, cartoons, or even fantasy films… After parading around the center, all the “costumes” are voted on by spectators on both sides of the river to award the prize for the most impressive performance.
The first "Fontanka-SUP" festival was held in October, despite somewhat harsh weather conditions. Then, the overwhelmingly positive response from visitors prompted authorities to continue organizing the event regularly in August each year. The fifth edition was held in Saint Petersburg to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city's online portal.FontankaNearly 1,000 people registered to paddleboard, and around 500 people gathered to cheer them on along the riverbanks.
The white nights of summer in Saint Petersburg are always a peak time for tourists from all over the world. Although cruise ships are starting to get busier, the current number of visitors is only about one-third of what it was during the same period in 2019, and mostly consists of domestic tourists. Therefore, the "Fontanka-SUP" festival and other year-end activities are expected to restart the tourist season in Saint Petersburg – "the northern capital of Russia" – after the lull caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
