Group 1 - The 2025 Paddle Board Asian Cup Marathon and International Paddle Board Open Competition was held in Suzhou, featuring participants from around the world and resulting in 29 gold medals over three days [1] - The event was organized by the Asian Canoe Confederation and supported by various governmental and sports organizations, highlighting its significance as a high-level international A-class event in Asia [1] - Strict entry requirements were established for participants, including submission of recent performance data for different race categories, ensuring a competitive field of elite athletes [1] Group 2 - The 16-kilometer marathon event saw an increase in participation, with the number of competitors nearly doubling from 87 to close to 200, and the introduction of a mixed doubles category [2] - Notable performances included Ye Guitong winning the men's open category with a time of 1 hour 31 minutes 06 seconds, and Xu Haoting winning the women's open category in 1 hour 41 minutes 04 seconds [2] - The mixed doubles category was won by the combination of He Bole and Yang Rong from Jimei University, finishing with a time of 1 hour 34 minutes 08 seconds, showcasing top paddle board skills [2]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Paddle Board Asian Marathon and International Paddle Board Open Competition, along with the National Paddle Board U Series (Suzhou Station), successfully took place in Suzhou, showcasing high-level paddle board competitions and promoting public participation in sports [1] Event Overview - The event lasted for three days and included three main segments: the Paddle Board Asian Marathon, the International Paddle Board Open, and the National Paddle Board U Series (Suzhou Station) [1] - Competitions featured various distances, including a 16-kilometer marathon, 8000 meters, 3000 meters, 2000 meters endurance races, and 200 meters sprint races, with nearly 1,000 athletes from 18 countries and regions participating [1] Competition Results - In the Asian Marathon, Chinese athletes won both the men's and women's open categories, with Ye Guitong achieving a time of 1 hour 31 minutes 06 seconds for the men's title, and Xu Haoting winning the women's title with a time of 1 hour 41 minutes 04 seconds [1] Innovative Features - The event introduced mixed-gender and family categories, enhancing the diversity of the competition format and emphasizing the concept of "age-friendly and national fitness" [1] - Participants received exclusive benefit packages that included services related to dining, accommodation, and local tours, alongside a paddle board carnival event [1] Organizers - The event was organized by the Asian Canoe Confederation and co-hosted by the General Administration of Sport of China, Jiangsu Provincial Sports Bureau, and Suzhou Municipal Government [1]

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 Paddle Board Asian Cup Marathon and International Paddle Board Open, along with the National Paddle Board U Series (Suzhou Station), has been inaugurated in Suzhou, showcasing the city's commitment to promoting paddle board sports and enhancing its image as a new hub for water sports in China [1][3]. Group 1: Event Overview - The event includes three main components: the Paddle Board Asian Cup Marathon, the International Paddle Board Open, and the National Paddle Board U Series, featuring various race formats such as a 16-kilometer marathon, 8-kilometer, 3-kilometer, 2-kilometer endurance races, and a 200-meter sprint [3]. - The competition is open to participants aged 8 to 65, promoting inclusivity with traditional male and female categories, as well as innovative mixed-gender and family groups [3]. Group 2: Development of Paddle Board Sports - Paddle board sports have rapidly developed in Suzhou, with the "China Paddle Board Elite Competition" launched in 2023, attracting approximately 300 participants in its inaugural event [5]. - The scale of participation is expected to grow, with nearly 700 participants anticipated for the 2024 National Paddle Board Championship and China Paddle Board Elite Competition [5]. - The continuous hosting of high-level paddle board events by Suzhou Mingcheng Group has significantly contributed to the popularization of paddle board sports in the city and reinforced Suzhou's image as an emerging water sports city [5]. Group 3: Community Engagement and Experience - To enhance the participant experience, the organizing committee has prepared exclusive benefit packages that include dining, accommodation, and local sightseeing options [3]. - Concurrently, a Paddle Board Carnival will be held, allowing citizens to not only watch the competitions but also engage in paddle board activities, thereby increasing public participation in the sport [3]. Group 4: Cultural and Economic Integration - The event aims to explore new pathways for urban development through the integration of sports, culture, and tourism, creating a "Suzhou model" for water sports in China [5].