Photos: Paddleboard enthusiasts bring colours to St. Petersburg canals

Participants wear fancy costumes during the Fontanka-SUP festival in St. Petersburg

Last updated: August 10, 2020 | 07:51

Reuters and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

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Participants make their way on the Fontanka river during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

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Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is an offshoot of surfing that originated in Hawaii, and is just starting to get its fame in Russia.

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Fontanka-SUP is an yearly festival organised by St. Petersburg city portal Fontanka.

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Participants make their way on the Griboyedov Canal. SUP has become an indispensable friend to surfers in the absence of waves, as you can surf on absolutely smooth water - using a paddle.

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Unlike traditional surfing where the rider sits until a wave comes, stand up paddle boarders stand on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water.

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Participants make their way on the Fontanka river during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg.

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A participant makes his way on the Griboyedov Canal.

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Participants make their way on the Griboyedov Canal during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

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Participants make their way on the Fontanka river during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

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Participants make their way on the Griboyedov Canal during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

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Participants make their way on the Fontanka river during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

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Participants make their way on the Griboyedov Canal during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

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A participant makes his way on the Griboyedov Canal during the Fontanka-SUP stand up paddle boarding festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia August 8, 2020. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov

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