“Whether you’re looking for tranquility or excitement, there’s always a SUP spot within reach in Belgium,” says Vincent Claeskens, Founder of the Belgian SUP Tour (BST), committed to advancing the sport and establishing the Belgian SUP scene as the welcoming and inclusive hub of European stand-up paddleboarding.
The Belgian SUP Tour (BST) has already delivered a robust pipeline of events for the 2024 SUP racing season, including the introduction of the BeNe SUP Tour (Belgian – Netherlands) offering a variety of race formats, from Long Distance to Sprints and Technical Races, designed to be enjoyed and tested by paddlers of all levels.
The Organisers are now gearing up for the second leg of the tour with the Open Belgian Championships Technical Race kicking off on Saturday, 24 August at the Koksijde Yachting Club on the Belgian West Coast, promising yet another adrenaline-fueled ocean style race open to all.
Vincent Claeskens said: “Our goal is to provide a diverse calendar without overwhelming participants, all while considering major international competitions. The BST welcomes both Elites and Recreational paddlers, offering adapted distances. We prioritize the inclusion of kids (Under 14 years old), ensuring tailored experiences for their participation. Additionally, we’re introducing a Club Challenge, inviting clubs to compete in team-based competitions to determine the winning club”.
Among the many well-known athletes heading to this crucial stop of the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) held on the North Sea is Kjell De Bruyn, a 12-time Belgian National SUP Champion, Starboard Team Rider, Coach, and Sport advocate. When asked what makes the Tour so appealing, Kjell highlighted its inclusivity: “There are races for everyone, athletes and recreational paddlers, kids, masters or Grand kahuna. We’ve got Sprints, Technical, Long Distance, Downwind, Ultra, Flat water, open sea, you name it! We have it all on the tour so everyone can make a selection of events that fit their skills and qualities.” Â
Open Belgian Championships Technical Race, Saint-Idesbald:
The distances offered are as follows: Elite: approximately 4,500m, U16: approximately 3,000m, and Kids (U14): approximately 1,500m.
The course:
Elite division: 3 laps of 1.5km
U16s: 2 laps
Kids: 1 lap
Timing:
9:00 – 10:00: Check-in and registration
10:30 – 11:00: Skippers meeting
12:00 – 16:30: Start of the different classes/distances
From 17:00: Chill zone + BBQ
From 17:30: Podium ceremony
From 18:00: Drinks and BBQ
Upcoming events in the Belgian SUP Tour:
Sunday, 1 September: Technical Race in the morning, Hazewinkel (Technical Race, flat water)
Sunday, 1 September: Open Belgian Championships Sprint, Hazewinkel (Sprint, flat water)
Sunday, 8 September: Open Belgian Championships LD, Kessenich (Long Distance, flat water)
Sunday, 28 September: Open Belgian Championships Downwinder; Oostende to Zeebrugge. Open for regular SUPs and for SUP Foils! (Downwinder, open water)
Prize pot:Â
Various Belgian Championships listed above will reward the Top 3 Elite Men and Women with prize money. The prize money will be €150 for the first Elite men and women, €100 for the second and €50 for the third.
To find out more and register for the Belgian SUP Tour, visit belgiansuptour.be
Join the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) group on Facebook and follow BST on InstagramÂ
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