Our hometown youth SUP team hits a decade of impact. With rising costs, Coaches Papas and Julio need the community’s help to keep doors open for every kid—no matter their means.

A decade ago, a handful of Sayulita kids picked up paddles and found more than a sport—they found confidence, discipline, and a team that feels like family. Today, the Sayulita SUP Team has produced CONADE medalists, inspired healthy lifestyles, and created role models in and out of the water. This year, Coach Papas was honored by the Ayuntamiento de Bahía de Banderas as Coach of the Year for guiding young athletes to the podium. But even champions face headwinds: equipment, coaching time, competition travel, and safety gear all add up. The program needs our town behind it to keep every child on the water.

What the program does

• Opens doors: Scholarships and shared gear so cost isn’t a barrier.
  
• Builds character: Discipline, teamwork, ocean safety, and environmental respect.
  
• Delivers results: Multiple CONADE medalists and consistent regional podiums.
  
• Grows community pride: Sayulita kids representing our town across Mexico, and internationally. 

Why Support Is Needed Now

Coaches Papas and Julio have stretched every peso—covering storage rent, board repairs, paddle upgrades, and uniforms. With a new season and more young athletes joining, we need community support to keep every kid on the water:

• Scholarships & sponsorships so kids without financial means can join.
• Equipment upgrades: Our boards are nearly 10 years old, heavy, and waterlogged—hard to carry and paddle, especially in competitions.
• Team uniforms to represent Sayulita with pride.
• Competition fees & travel so athletes can show up and compete.
• Coaching stipends & safety training to sustain quality and keep everyone safe.

How you can help:

• Donate: PayPal https://paypal.me/sayusupteam
  
• Sponsor a kid: Cover monthly training + race fees.
  
• In-kind gear: Upgraded boards, paddles, leashes, PFDs, and repair kits.
  
• Corporate partners: Team jerseys, event travel, scholarship fund.
  
• Volunteer: Event days, transport, photography, beach cleanups.

Every contribution keeps a kid in the water—and our town on the podium.

About the Coaches

The Gonzalez brothers, Papas and Julio, each have over 20 years experience teaching SUP and surf in Sayulita. Both brothers also spent years competing professionally in Sup surf, and Sup racing. They have represented Mexico at multiple ISA World Championships, in the Panamerican games and many other international contests, bringing home countless medals and trophies. As full-time instructors, they have extensive experience in teaching kids of all ages and levels, as well as lifeguarding and first aid experience. 

Coach of the Year

This year’s Coach of the Year recognition for Papas celebrates not just medals, but mentorship. Alongside Julio, he’s turned early-morning sessions into life lessons: show up, work hard, respect the ocean, and lift each other up. 

Want to meet the team?

Training sessions run weekly on Sayulita beach on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 5-6:30PM.

Come say hi, cheer the kids on, and see your impact in action.

Sidebar: “What Your Donation Covers” 

• $500 MXN: Inscription & welcome bag for new sponsored team member (team rashguard, t-shirt, hat, stickers
• $2,800 MXN: 1 month of training for one athlete
• $3,000 MXN: Race entry + transport support 
• $5,000 MXN: New Team paddle
• $15,000 MXN: New team board (the kids will use these new boards to practice, and for competitions)
• $25,000 MXN: Travel fund for a 3-athlete meet

To donate or sponsor: Morgan Williamson +52 322-151-4814

From first strokes to national podiums, our kids are proof of what dedication—and a caring town—can do. Thank you, Coach Papas and Coach Julio, for showing up day after day, building athletes and character in equal measure. We’re incredibly proud of every JR SUP kid who represents Sayulita in the water and in the world. Let’s keep them paddling.