On June 30, the 2018 China SUP Gold League "Ziyuan Station" wrapped up successfully in Ziyuan County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This event was held in Ziyuan for the first time, bringing together over a hundred domestic and international SUP players. Competitors from diverse backgrounds and regions battled on the same course for championship glory.
Stand-up paddleboarding is a popular water sport worldwide. Although the sport started relatively late in China, it has developed rapidly in recent years, with a fast-growing number of regular participants. At this Ziyuan station, 118 athletes registered as individuals or through clubs. In the end, Du Yuansheng and Yuan Jiali won the men’s and women’s open categories in the 600-meter buoy course race, respectively. Wu Yinglin and Ji Yurong claimed victory in the 1200-meter buoy course race for the men’s and women’s open categories, while Wu Yinglin and Yuan Jiali also took home the overall points titles for the open categories. Yan Yun and Ji Yaqin topped the senior men’s and women’s groups in the 600-meter buoy course race, and Chen Geng and Ji Yaqin led the senior men’s and women’s groups in the 1200-meter speed race.
The athletes of the China SUP Gold League gathered in Ziyuan, bringing their best form to compete in paddle battles. According to reports, the race took place in the picturesque "Lamp Valley" section of the Zi River, an area known not only for its pristine, rustic, and serene charm but also for its dynamic and graceful beauty. It is also internationally renowned for hosting the national intangible cultural heritage event — the "River Lantern Festival" — for 23 consecutive years.
The hosting of this event has once again elevated the national and even international profile of Ziyuan County in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. During the competition, athletes spoke highly of this high-level international event, repeatedly praising it as an unprecedented SUP racing experience and commending the stunning beauty of the Zi River in Ziyuan County. Currently, leveraging its distinctive tourism resources such as Danxia landforms and ecological environment, Ziyuan County is vigorously developing leisure, vacation, and rural tourism industries, accelerating the integrated development of its tourism sector. Capitalizing on its tourism advantages, the county’s Party committee and government are actively promoting rural tourism, addressing constraints such as transportation, environmental conditions, and reception capacity, while continuously expanding income-generating opportunities for farmers and laying a solid foundation for poverty alleviation. The successful hosting of this SUP Gold League has further showcased Ziyuan to the world, accelerating industrial integration, achieving an upgrade in quality, and undoubtedly contributing to Ziyuan’s goal of becoming a Guangxi destination renowned for distinctive tourism.
The hosting of the 2018 China SUP Gold League "Ziyuan Station" has established Ziyuan’s significant position in the field of stand-up paddleboarding and propelled the strong development of China’s SUP industry. Seizing the opportunity presented by the SUP Gold League, Ziyuan has stood out thanks to the unique geographical advantages of the Zi River, injecting new vitality into its development. Ziyuan has opened its arms warmly to people around the world, allowing every visitor to experience the unparalleled passion and noble spirit of this grand SUP event amidst breathtaking landscapes.