Race for €9,000 and Qualify for Sarasota at the 2024 Agios Nikolaos ICF SUP World Cup

The Agios on SUP event is back from September 27-29, bringing another exciting year of SUP racing to the crystal-clear waters of Mirabello Bay, Crete. More than just a spectacular event set against the beautiful historical coastline, it’s a crucial qualifier for the ICF SUP World Championships in Sarasota. With a total prize pool of €9,000, split across the long-distance, sprint, and technical races, the competition promises to be fiercer than ever. Athletes from all over the world will come together for a weekend filled with racing, friendly rivalry, and the warm hospitality Greece is known for.

In the midst of this high-energy event are two of Greece’s most promising young SUP talents: Kyriaki (Rea) Logotheti and Andreas Voulgaris. Both have made waves internationally, standing on podiums and representing the future of Greek SUP. Both athletes shared their thoughts to TotalSUP on the upcoming race, the challenges of transitioning to more competitive categories, and how they balance their studies with their SUP careers. Their passion for the sport and their dedication to pushing their limits will undoubtedly make them athletes to watch at this year’s event.

Rea Logotheti (18) is a rising star in the world of SUP, transitioning from the junior category to the women’s category after a successful 2023 season. She was the 2023 ICF Junior Sprint World Champion and has won national titles in Greece for sprints and technical races. Coming from Kavala, Rea is currently studying Physical Education and Sports Science in Thessaloniki, balancing her studies with rigorous training. She trains almost every day, focusing on gym workouts, running, and rowing to maintain her competitive edge. Rea has big plans for her career, including helping develop SUP and other sea sports in her hometown after her studies. Despite moving up into a more competitive category, she remains focused and determined to establish herself in the global SUP scene. In June 2024, Rea further solidified her place as one of Europe’s top young SUP athletes, winning first place in the technical race, second in the sprint, and third in the long distance at the ECA European SUP Championships in June, in Szeged, Hungary.

Hi, Rea! As you transition from the Junior category to competing with the Women’s Open class, what mental and physical adjustments have you made in your training routine to prepare for a more competitive environment, such as the Agios Nikolaos race?

It’s a transitional year for me, as it’s my first year competing in the women’s category. It’s something new and interesting, as I’m now facing athletes with more strength and experience. A race like Agios Nikolaos presents a great challenge for all participants, especially the long-distance race, which comes with its own unique conditions.

You’ve mentioned your desire to develop sea sports in Kavala after your studies. How do events like the Agios Nikolaos ICF World Cup inspire your long-term vision for SUP and other water sports in Greece?

Seeing that the sport is gradually becoming more recognized and loved by people motivates us athletes to highlight it with the passion that drives us. The connection with the sea is always a favorite among people of all ages, especially during the summer. Events like Agios Nikolaos help us socialize and understand what it takes to organize a World Cup race in Greece.

Having won the 2023 ICF Junior Sprint World Championship, what specific strategies do you plan to implement in the upcoming Agios Nikolaos race to stand out in your first Women’s category World Cup?

The competition in the women’s category is definitely tough, especially in a race like Agios Nikolaos. I try to be strict with myself because I always aim for the best result. However, I remind myself that this is my first year in this category, and I need to focus on enjoying the experience to the fullest.

You’ve expressed interest in testing different boards for varying conditions. How do you plan to leverage this approach at Agios Nikolaos, given the unique conditions of the race in Mirabello Bay?

Yes, I plan to test different boards in the races, and with the help of Andrey Kraitor from Union Paddler, I can use two different boards. Since the long-distance race involves waves and wind, I will choose the right board for those conditions.

SUP races are demanding both physically and mentally. How do you manage the pressures of competing internationally while balancing your studies in Thessaloniki, and how does that experience shape your competitive mindset for events like Agios Nikolaos?

It all requires planning and consistency. You can’t do everything and excel at everything simultaneously. Some sacrifices need to be made to achieve your goals. The pressure doesn’t come from the races themselves but from the daily life of an athlete. If you manage to prepare properly throughout the year, despite all the difficulties, you will be ready to compete. When you’ve given your best during preparation, you can approach competition with a clear conscience.

Andreas Voulgaris (17) is a young and talented Greek SUP athlete who has made a strong impact in international competitions. In the 2023 ICF SUP World Championships in Pattaya, Andreas secured an impressive third place in the Junior Men’s Sprint category, underlining his potential in the sport. He is part of the Olympiakos SUP team and has shown consistent performance in national and international events, often competing alongside other top Greek athletes. At the team level, he also contributed to the Greek team securing a bronze medal in the Long Distance Junior Men event.

Andreas, after securing a podium finish in the 2023 ICF Junior Sprint Final, how do you plan to maintain that momentum going into the Agios Nikolaos ICF World Cup? What are your goals for this race?

I intend to maintain this momentum through hard training. Every race is an opportunity to improve and grow, and I approach each event with that mindset. My coach, Mr. Dmitry Krolikowski, has created specialized training programs that focus on refining my sprint technique and building my endurance. This has been key in helping me maintain my form and remain competitive. My primary goal at Agios Nikolaos is to enjoy the race because I believe that when I’m having fun, I perform better. But of course, like any athlete, I’m also aiming for a good position and hoping to build on my past successes. Each race helps me understand more about my own capabilities and where I can push further.

As a key member of the Greek national SUP team, how does competing on home waters in Crete, with local supporters, add to your motivation for the Agios Nikolaos race?

It always feels great to compete on home waters. There’s a unique sense of pride when you race in your own country, especially in an event like the Agios Nikolaos ICF World Cup, where the atmosphere is so supportive and vibrant. The crowd’s energy, the familiar waters, and the feeling of representing Greece all come together to fuel my motivation. I’ve raced abroad in many places, but nothing compares to the excitement and encouragement I feel at home. The fact that Agios Nikolaos has this incredibly friendly yet competitive atmosphere makes it even more special for me as an athlete.

SUP is both an individual and a team sport. How does your experience in team events, like the bronze finish in the Long Distance Junior Men’s category, influence your preparation and mindset for solo races like the Agios Nikolaos World Cup?

Each one of us on the team works hard to achieve the highest possible goals, and this sense of camaraderie and discipline in team events carries over into individual races. When I’m competing as part of a team, there’s a shared responsibility and a collective energy that pushes everyone to do their best. In solo races, like the upcoming Agios Nikolaos race, I carry that team mindset with me. Even though I’m racing alone, I know I have the support of my team behind me, and that gives me strength. Team events have taught me the importance of discipline, hard work, and never giving up. This mentality helps me stay focused and push through the challenges in individual races, where every stroke counts.

Training at the Olympiakos SUP team has clearly paid off with your successes so far. How does your club’s approach to training give you an edge over your international competitors, particularly for races like Agios Nikolaos?

Being a member of the Olympiakos SUP team gives me a solid foundation, makes me feel lucky and safe in whichever difficulties I might face, especially with Ms. Tsirou there. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a prestigious club that emphasizes not only physical preparation but also mental toughness. My coach, Mr. Dmitry Krolikowski, has been instrumental in my development as an athlete. His training programs are unique, focusing on personalized plans that address my strengths and work on improving my weaknesses. I feel prepared for any challenge that comes my way. The training environment at Olympiakos is both rigorous and supportive, and that combination gives me the confidence to face international competitors. Knowing that I have this team behind me allows me to focus on my performance and push my limits, especially in high-stakes races like Agios Nikolaos.

What are the most challenging aspects of competing in sprint races like those at Agios Nikolaos, and how do you mentally prepare for the intense physical demands of a short but highly competitive race?

The most challenging aspects of the sprint race are definitely the start and the final stretch. The start is crucial because it sets the tone for the rest of the race. There’s a lot of pressure in those first few seconds to get ahead, and the intensity is palpable. Then, in the last 50 meters, the adrenaline kicks in, and it becomes a battle of endurance and mental strength. By that point, your body is exhausted, but you have to find that extra push to finish strong. For me, mental preparation is key. I practice positive thinking and focus on keeping a calm mindset. Visualizing the race beforehand, going over every detail in my mind, helps me stay focused when the pressure is at its peak. Positive energy and confidence are what get me through those intense moments, ensuring that I give everything I have until I cross the finish line.

For more information:

TotalSUP event page

Event page

All you need to know

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AgiosOnSup

Kyriaki (Rea) Logotheti on instagram

Andreas Voulgaris on instagram

Photos by the courtesy of: Agios Nikolaos on SUP