Naxos Cup

The Naxos Cup is a prominent Italian open-water sea kayaking and ocean racing competition held in Giardini Naxos, a coastal town located in the Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily.
Positioned along the Ionian Sea near Taormina, the event has established itself as a key venue for national and international paddle sports, transforming the local waters into a temporary capital for ocean racing disciplines.
The competition primarily features sea kayak and surfski categories, challenging participants to navigate open-water courses characterized by the dynamic wave and current conditions of the Ionian coastline.
Athletes are tested on physical endurance, wave-riding strategy, and technical coastal navigation skills.
Organized by local sports associations in technical collaboration with regional nautical entities and supported by municipal authorities, the event combines elite athletic competition with maritime safety awareness. Beyond the main races, the program often includes live demonstrations, water rescue drills, and public sports exhibitions.
The Naxos Cup plays an important role in promoting Sicilian sports culture, marine safety education, and shoulder-season tourism along the Taormina and Giardini Naxos Riviera.