Unveiling the 2024 Belgian SUP Tour with Vincent Claeskens

As we dive into the new year, the Belgian Stand Up Paddle scene is abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming season. In an exclusive interview with Vincent Claeskens, founder of the Belgian SUP Tour, we gain insights into the circuit’s evolution and the exciting events lined up for 2024. The new calendar promises a thrilling lineup of events, with the introduction of the BeNe SUP Tour (Belgian / Netherlands) and the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) offering diverse competitions across various formats. From Long Distance races to Technical Races and Sprint Championships, there’s something for paddlers of all levels and preferences this year.

Hello Vincent, a very happy new year to you! Could you first of all remind us all the different hats you wear on the Belgium Stand Up Paddle scene?

Hello Mathieu, thank you for your kind wishes. I’m looking forward to catching up with you more frequently this year, and hopefully benefitting from your insightful commentary on the BST!

Well first of all, I would say I am a SUP Racer, let’s say “on the comeback trail”, though I must admit, I’m not as spry as I was in my twenties.

Three years ago, I noticed the vibrant SUP community in Belgium but realized there was a lack of a unifying organization. I decided to take on the challenge myself, not fully grasping the complexities and multitude of stakeholders involved, including numerous competition organizers. Alongside these competitions, there are various non-competitive endeavors, such as local SUP adventures and initiation programs like SUPandSEE.

Belgium only has regional federations (Flemish, Walloon), so establishing a national federation was crucial for representing Belgium internationally. Belgian Surf & SUP has since been established.

Currently, my focus is on fostering competitive initiatives within clubs. However, I plan to expand my scope to include the broader world of SUP beyond competition, always with the aim of providing support.

We’ve strengthened ties with our Dutch neighbors, who frequently participate in our races, and the French have also shown keen interest.

Your year 2023 looked very busy and exciting. Did you have time to reflect on all the achievements you accomplished last year?

Absolutely! I listen to the SUP community. I receive an enormous amount of constructive feedback. I’ve taken this into account when drawing up the 2024 calendar.

Can you reveal the podiums of the 2023 Belgian SUP Tour and say a few words about all 6 athletes and their 2023 season?

Among the men, Bart Jansegers was a constant presence, clinching the top spot in the overall 2023 BST rankings. We were thrilled to welcome back Kjell De Bruyn, our esteemed international athlete, after a prolonged period of rehabilitation following a road accident.

Other notable names include Wim Luyckx, a rising star, along with Manuel Lauwers, Dirk De Beuf, Michel Keersmaekers, and Gun Debin—all of whom have left their mark on the sport. However, it’s important to recognize the efforts of all participants who contribute to the vibrant SUP community.

We’ve also been privileged to host renowned international figures like Donato Freens, Joep Van Bakel, Maximus Sijrier, and Thomas Dusart, adding to the excitement of our events.

In the women’s category, we witnessed the emergence of Liene Karale, seizing the spotlight in the absence of the injured Ella Oesterholt. Among the established stars are Deborah Wouters, Nathalie Van Olmen, and not forgetting the French talent Anne-Sophie Quennesson, who graces our events with her presence.

And let’s not overlook the younger generation, with the Van Bakel brothers and Loena Vlemincx gearing up to defend their rankings in races tailored for the <14 age group.

For those who are still wondering what the Belgium SUP Tour is, can you present your circuit in a few words.

We offer dual rankings:

1. The BeNe Ranking (Belgium + Netherlands): Consists of 6 Long Distance races (3 Belgian and 3 Dutch), where only the best 4 results count towards the final ranking.
2. The BST Ranking (Belgium SUP Tour): Features 8 races in various formats, from Ultra Long Distance to Sprint and Technical Races, with the best 6 results contributing to the final ranking. Our events cater to diverse preferences, ranging from Very Flat to Open Water. The Belgian rounds of the BeNe SUP Tour also count towards the BST ranking.

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 (<14y), 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.

If I’m correct, in 2023 Belgium made its inaugural appearance at the ISA World Championship and EuroSUP, courtesy of Kjell de Bruyne and your stewardship as team manager. How was the team’s maiden experience in international competition?

Yes, Kjell is our spearhead and we had the opportunity to select him for the first Belgian participation at the ISA World Championships (in France, Les Sables d’Olonnes). It was a first for both Kjell and the organisation. Kjell put up a really good fight, given his lack of experience at the highest level, with Top 20 finishes in each of the 3 race disciplines. At EuroSUP, Kjell finished in the Top 10 every time. These were intense learning experiences for us, as we prepare for the European and World Championships in the future. We intend to keep up the momentum and put Belgium on the international map.

With pleasure! As explained above, we have 3 levels of competition:

The BeNe SUP Tour :

14/04/2024 Rondje Haarlem – Haarlem (NL): Long Distance (+/- 12km)
05/05/2024 Paddle of the Kempen – Retie (B): Long Distance (+/- 12km)
16/06/2024 LD Leeuwarden – Leeuwarden (NL): Long Distance (+/- 16km)
22/06/2024 BNST Zwetplassers – Wormer (NL) : Long Distance (+/- 16km)
28/09/2024 “North Sea Downwinder”– Ostend (B): Downwinder (+/- 20km)
15/12/2024 SUP4Life – Gent (B): Long Distance (+/- 14km)

Bold: BeNe SUP Tour and BST

The Belgian SUP Tour :

07/04/2024 Belgian Championships ULD – Stekene Ultra Long Distance (ULD) (+/- 42km)
05/05/2024 Paddle of the Kempen – Retie (B): Long Distance (+/- 16km)
29/06/2024 Longest Day – Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure (B) : ULD Relay (10 X 5,6km)
31/08/2024* Belgian Championships Tech Race – Oostduinkerke (B): (+/- 4.5km)
1/09/2024* Belgian Championships LD – Nieuwpoort (B) (+/- 16km)
8/09/2024* Belgian Championships Sprint – Hazewinkel – Sprint (200m)
28/09/2024 “North Sea Downwinder”– Ostend (B): Downwinder (+/- 20km)
15/12/2024 SUP4Life – Gent (B): Long Distance (+/- 14km)

* Dates à confirmer

Bold: BeNe SUP Tour and BST

The Club Challenge :

2/06/2024* The Island Kortrijk (B)   Relay: 4 X 2km
29/06/2024 Longest Day Eau d’Heure (B)  ULD Relay : 10 X 5,6km
30/06/2024 Waterstart Gavers (B)   Relay (4h)
6/07/2024* Genval SUP Challenge Genval (B)   Relais (4h)
6/10/2024* Bruges Classics Brugge a/d Plas (B) Relay 4 X 2 km
15/12/2024 SUP4Life Gent   Long Distance (6km)

So lots of exciting novelties this year. Can you tell us what drove those choices?

Some new formulas have been tested and will be improved in 2024. I’m thinking of:

The Longest Day: 10 starts (1 every hour) for a lap of 5.6km. The total time counts towards the final classification. Anyone who decides to skip a lap is not eliminated, but will be ranked in the “9 laps completed”. This is a race not to be underestimated: 10 laps of 5.6km, that’s 56km in sprint mode to cover in 10 hours!

The Downwind Championships: 20km of Downwind, from Ostend to Zeebrugge. SUP Foils will also be invited.

The Belgian Technical Race Championships, which will be held in Open Water.

The Belgian Sprint Championships, in the rowing stadium, under the direction of the Canoe-Kayak Federation.

Finally, what would you say are the most attractive aspects of going to Belgium to paddle at a Belgian SUP Tour event? Especially for riders from neighboring countries?

Belgium, nestled between its larger neighbors—France, the Netherlands, and Germany—is a compact territory. Despite our small size, we boast an extensive array of spots, ranging from serene lakes to the dynamic North Sea, interconnected by a network of canals traversing our land. Whether you seek tranquility or exhilaration, a spot is always within reach in Belgium.

To find out more about the Belgian SUP Tour, visit:
www.facebook.com/groups/509142407237042
www.belgiansuptour.be/