How Ansis Dobelis turned Latvia’s SUP King Marathon – Salaca 100 into a paddling festival for all

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 in 2023 and set for 30 May, the event invites participants to take on one of Latvia’s most scenic and rewarding routes. Paddlers can commit to the full 100km marathon or opt for a shorter 44km distance, following the Salaca River as it winds through the open waters of Lake Burtnieki and past striking sandstone cliffs – delivering a course that blends endurance, landscape and adventure in equal measure.

What makes it particularly unique is its original focus on recreational paddlers – yet it’s increasingly attracting serious endurance athletes willing to test themselves, including Salaca’s 2025 Pro Division winner Carlo Arias, representing Costa Rica, who travelled across Europe to compete.

In the run-up to this inclusive event, we caught up with Ansis to talk about a race whose core goal is refreshingly simple: cross the finish line and soak in the experience along the way.

Hi Ansis, welcome back to TotalSUP! Let’s kick off with some incredible stats – registration for the 2026 Salaca 100 has already surpassed 100 paddlers! We can easily say it’s one of the Baltic region’s standout SUP events – what can participants expect from this year’s edition?

Yes, the response from paddlers has been incredible, and we’re genuinely happy about it. We really feel that the SUP community appreciates what we’re building here, and that motivates us to do even more to make this year’s event even better.

The biggest news this year is that, in addition to the full 100 km distance, participants will also be able to race a 44 km course. This gives people who may not yet feel ready for 100 km the chance to still take part and experience the event.

There will be two separate starts on the river, but both distances will share the same finish line. The 44 km start will take place later, and our plan is that the paddlers from the longer distance will gradually catch up, so both races should finish at roughly the same time. That should make the finish-line atmosphere and afterparty even more exciting.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

This year, we are expecting somewhere between 300 and 500 paddlers. It’s still difficult to predict the final number, but all signs suggest it will be a big one. So participants can definitely expect a proper SUP festival atmosphere – at the start, throughout the course, and at the finish.

For paddlers in the 100 km race, there will be five support stations along the route where they can refill water, grab snacks, enjoy a warm meal halfway through, charge their phones, and receive any other support they may need. These stations will also serve as evacuation points in case someone cannot continue.

And all 100 km participants will be equipped with GPS trackers, so supporters and organizers will be able to follow them live online via the event website.

In short, participants can expect an incredibly scenic SUP route, with the river winding for 100 km through forests, sandstone cliffs, beautiful meadows, and only very occasional inhabited areas. At the same time, they’ll enjoy a strong event atmosphere all along the way – and at the finish line, they’ll be welcomed with cold drinks, a warm meal, and a great celebration.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

Ultra-distance races like Salaca 100 are gaining traction – why do you think paddlers are drawn to this format?

I think the answer is actually quite simple. Unlike sprint or technical races, ultra-distance events are not only about competition and performance – they’re also about challenge, self-discovery, and pushing your own limits. Very often, the biggest race is the one happening inside yourself.

For many paddlers, the main goal in a long-distance event is not to win – it’s simply to reach the finish line. And that speaks to a much broader audience.

We can already see the same thing in running, where marathons attract tens of thousands of participants.

SUP as a sport is gradually becoming more structured and mature, and I believe that – just like in running or cycling – long-distance and adventure-style events will attract even more participants in the future than short formats. This kind of challenge is simply much more relatable and accessible for everyone.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

The Salaca 100 attracts both amateurs and seasoned racers – how do you see the balance this year, and what draws newcomers to take on such a challenging course?

From the very beginning, the marathon has been designed primarily with amateur paddlers in mind. When we plan and organize the event, we always think about how to make it possible for almost anyone – even with limited experience – to aim for the finish line and feel safe taking on a long-distance challenge.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

At the same time, we also do everything we can to ensure that experienced racers have everything they need for a high-quality competition experience.

And the first two years have shown something really encouraging: more and more paddlers who originally entered in the amateur class are coming back and registering again – this time in the sport class.

That’s great to see, because it shows that the balance works. The amateur paddlers bring fresh energy and accessibility to the event, while the experienced racers raise the level and inspire others. In the end, both groups strengthen the event together.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

Since its launch in 2023, what challenges have paddlers faced most at the Salaca 100, and what makes the race so demanding? Have there been any external factors – like weather, water conditions, or course changes – that have affected the race?

Yes, there have definitely been challenges. Last year, for a large part of the course, participants had to deal with a strong headwind. That made the race tough for many paddlers – myself included 🙂 Fortunately, the river is surrounded by forests, cliffs, and steeper riverbanks, which meant that in some sections paddlers could at least get a bit of shelter and recover.

In the first year of the marathon, 82% of participants finished. Last year, that number dropped to 70%, and the strong wind was the main reason. That said, conditions like that are not very common. This year, the marathon takes place one month later, when weather conditions in Latvia are generally warmer and the winds tend to be more moderate.

Another interesting factor is that since the marathon began, we’ve always happened to hit a period of lower-than-usual water levels in the river. That’s actually not typical for spring and early summer. Still, the Salaca almost always has enough water depth to make it a very good river for SUP paddling.

So yes – weather and conditions can play a role, but that’s also part of what makes the race real and memorable.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

Based on your experience, what’s your top tip for first-time participants taking on the Salaca 100?

First of all, I genuinely believe that any physically active and healthy person can do it. People shouldn’t be afraid of the 100 km distance. And Salaca 100 is probably one of the best possible ways to try such a challenge, because throughout the entire course you’ll receive support – both from fellow paddlers and from the organizers.

Second, bring enough water and carbohydrate-rich snacks. You will need energy. But at the same time, don’t overload yourself with too much gear, because approximately every 20 km there will be an opportunity to refill water and grab food. There will also be a warm meal along the way.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

Third, don’t rush. Don’t burn all your energy in the first kilometers – even if other paddlers are passing you. If later in the race you still feel strong, you can gradually increase your pace.

Fourth, try to find other paddlers moving at a similar pace to yours. Usually, that happens quite naturally. Paddling together makes the distance easier, often faster, and much more enjoyable. And you might even make new friends. In fact, there are participants who met while paddling together in the 2024 marathon – and later started a family together.

And finally, enjoy the event. Take in the nature, listen to the birds (there will be many), watch the river flow, and let it help carry you. That’s the best way to make the kilometers disappear.

The organizers – “Eži” and “SUPFIT” – will do everything they can to make sure that anyone doing this for the first time will want to come back and do it again.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

Are you seeing more international paddlers coming to race and explore the region?

Yes, absolutely. At the moment, about one quarter of all registered participants are from outside Latvia. The UK stands out in particular – we already have 13 paddlers registered from there. In total, participants from 8 different countries are already signed up, and we expect the final number of represented countries to be around 15 to 20.

Last year, several participants told us that they were coming not just for the race itself, but for several days or even a full week, with plans to paddle not only the Salaca River but also explore other rivers in the region.

And that makes perfect sense – the surrounding area is full of beautiful rivers that are ideal for SUP paddling. The marathon can easily be combined with discovering the Vidzeme region and enjoying a broader paddling adventure in Latvia.

Winner of the 2025 Pro Division, Carlo Arias | Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

How has the SUP scene in Latvia developed over the past few years?

As a participation sport, SUP continues to grow in popularity in Latvia. In the past, many people associated SUP mainly with relaxed leisure paddling. But more and more people are now discovering it as a way to experience adventure, long-distance touring, and exploration, and sport. We also see more and more canoe and paddling races – especially long-distance ones – adding SUP as a separate discipline to their programs.

At the same time, more Latvian paddlers are now traveling to races in neighbouring countries and even further abroad.

From a competitive sport perspective, we are currently going through something like a generational shift. Several SUP schools in Latvia have started actively training young paddlers over the past few years. And this year, for the first time, we will also have a youth SUP championship series taking place across several events in Latvia. That gives us a very positive outlook not only for SUP as a recreational activity, but also for its future as a more serious competitive sport in Latvia.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

Latvia is part of a growing Baltic SUP network alongside Lithuania and Estonia – how important is that regional connection?

The regional connection and cooperation are definitely very important – without it, progress would be much harder.

All three Baltic countries are close to one another, and they can complement each other really well. The cooperation is already happening not only through paddlers traveling to race in neighbouring countries, but also in more structured ways.

For example, we have a shared competition format – the Baltic SUP Cup – which includes races in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, with an overall ranking across all three countries.

And by the way, the Salaca 100 itself takes place only a few dozen kilometers from the Estonian border, so in many ways it is naturally part of that wider Baltic paddling landscape.

Photo by Uldis Laganovskis

What’s your vision for the growth of SUP in Latvia and the wider Baltic region?