Community Sports

Gig Harbor’s Truebenbach qualifies for SUP world championships

Christiana “Roo” Truebenbach of Gig Harbor qualified for the stand-up paddle board World Championships with her performance at nationals in her hometown. 

Truebenbach, 17, won three events in the 15 to 17 girls division at nationals: the 10K, sprint and technical races. Nationals were Sept. 18 through 20 in Gig Harbor, and the World Championship competition is Oct. 14 through 18 in Sabaudia, Italy. 

Christiana “Roo” Truebenbach on the podium at the USA SUP National Championships at Skansie Park in Gig Harbor. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

With a short turnaround and an expensive trip on the horizon, the Truebenbach family launched a GoFund Me campaign to offset costs.  

“Donations will help cover the travel and competition expenses needed to make this opportunity possible, including roundtrip international airfare, accommodations, a rental car, food, transport of Roo’s racing board and equipment, registration fees, and other necessary travel costs. … It is very difficult for them to ask for financial help, but their community has encouraged them to create a way for people to rally around Roo and help this young local athlete pursue big dreams and goals,” according to the GoFundMe page. 

Sixty-six donors have contributed $7,190 toward the campaign’s $10,000 goal as of Monday, Sept. 28. 

Bodie von Allman won two major races at the USA SUP National Championships in Gig Harbor. Photo by Julie Warrick Ammann

The big winners at nationals included Bodie von Allmen of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Sey Chelle of Melbourne Beach, Florida.  

Von Allmen, 20, won the men’s distance and sprint championships and finished second in the technical event. 

Chelle swept all three women’s events. 

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