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When they’re on the scene for as long as we watch grom rise, you easily forget how young the junior SUP riders – and how much they’ve already achieved. One standout athlete in this category is Maximus Sijrier, based in the northern Dutch city of Workum.  are and how much they have achieved. Paddling since […]

When you think of the King of the Bay (KOTB) festival, it brings to mind the vibe of Poland’s Open’er Festival – a grassroots idea that grew into a globally recognised music phenomenon. The founders of festival seem to share that same ambition: to build something local in origin, but world-class in reach. Held on […]

The upcoming 2026 ICF SUP Junior International Cup, taking place in Bascov, Romania, from 19 – 21 June, promises to be one of the most prominent showcases of young international SUP talent. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Budeasa Regatta Course – one of the best-equipped canoeing venues in Eastern Europe – the stage is set for […]

If there’s one SUP athlete to ask whether our sport has truly carved out its identity among other water and board sports, it’s Michael Booth – a name that carries both weight and integrity. A multiple World SUP Champion, elite waterman, Starboard Dream Team rider, coach, entrepreneur, and member of the ICF SUP Advisory Committee […]

As the week heats up and the inaugural European SUP League (ESL) stop is about to kick off, we caught up with Maria Laura Metta – one of the founding members and advisors of SUP Academy Taranto, hosts of the European SUP League (ESL) Stop #2 in Taranto, Italy. A 23-year-old from Taranto, Maria Laura […]

As the SUP racing season draws to a close – or just before it begins – curiosity builds around the athletes followed so closely: where they go, how they train, and what fills the space between competitions. The Polar Bear Chronicles lifts the lid, offering a glimpse into that world beyond the start line. TotalSUP […]

Inside the European SUP League, a new continental circuit is taking shape with the ambition of bringing structure, visibility, and long-term growth to SUP racing. Built on collaboration between organizers, federations, athletes, and media, the ESL aims to professionalize the sport while keeping its community spirit at its core. From standardized race formats and inclusive […]

A new wave of athletes is beginning to shift the traditional timeline of elite sport – where experience, progression, and maturity are usually built over years. Ambitious and hungry, they’re stepping up early, already competing simultaneously in junior and open divisions and holding their own at both levels. Since its inception, the Belgian SUP Tour […]

What started as an ambitious idea is quickly becoming one of the Baltic region’s most talked-about SUP events. At the centre of it is Ansis Dobelis – Founder of Supfit.lv and Co-Creator of the SUP King Marathon – Salaca 100 – a challenge that has rapidly built momentum, already attracting over 100 registered paddlers. Launched […]

Putting the spotlight on the next generation of SUP talent, Mario Tagarelli has transformed junior racing and athlete development in Italy. As Coach and President of SUP Academy Taranto, based at Lido Gandoli in Taranto, southern Italy, he is the mastermind behind a training programme that cultivates young paddlers and elevates clubs dedicated to developing […]

At just 17, Matei Barbu is already the ICF Junior World SUP Champion and Vice World Champion in sprints (2024 Gold and 2025 Silver), representing the new generation of European paddlers emerging from a rapidly growing Eastern European scene alongside athletes from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and beyond. Originally from Constanța, Romania, Matei […]

We caught a glimpse on social media inside the shaping process of a new custom board – where shaper Jędrzej Klafkowski spends most of his time when he’s not on the water, refining designs and pushing performance forward. This time, he had a sidekick: 16-year-old talent Jakub Kubiak from Racibórz, closely involved in the creation […]

As the new season begins to warm up, anticipation is building across the racing community. With many athletes transitioning into new age divisions, the competition is set to take on a fresh dynamic – and all eyes are firmly on the 40+, 50+, and even 60+ categories that have been fuelling conversations throughout 2025. This […]