Stand-up paddlers hit the water for World Championships in Pattaya
Stand-up paddling is often thought of as a relaxing holiday activity, but the world championships in Thailand were anything but for the hundreds of athletes who churned through the waters of Pattaya.
The biggest ever edition of the world championships drew competitors from 52 nations, as they raced their way through the technical, long distance and sprint disciplines.
In the technical open, Spain's Esperanza Barreras and Connor Baxter from the United States won the women's and men's finals.
Known as the 'marathon' of stand-up paddling, the long distance open saw the athletes tackle a 15km course.
Barreras successfully defended her crown, while France's Noic Garioud bounced back from disappointment in the shorter discipline to win his first long distance title.
Finally, America's Seychelle Webster and Garioud won the women's and men's sprint open, which involved a fast and furious 200m sprint in a straight line.
