As it marks its 10th anniversary, Agios Nikolaos on SUP returns stronger than ever on 3-4 May, securing its place as one of the premier international SUP events. As stop #3 on the ICF World Ranking circuit, the race is set to welcome top paddlers from around the world to the stunning waters of Crete. But this year, there’s an exciting twist—athletes can double their racing experience by heading to nearby Sitia on 1-2 May for another ICF event, creating an unprecedented four-day SUP festival in Crete! With back-to-back competitions, the event offers a perfect mix of high-level racing, breathtaking scenery, and prize money that is sure to attract the sport’s best.
Among those returning to Agios Nikolaos are Poland’s top SUP duo and National Champions, Marta Apanasewicz (2024 Agios Nikolaos Silver Sprint Medallist) and Mikołaj Majdan, reinforcing a growing trend – Polish paddlers, especially in the Junior Division, are making a name for themselves on the global scene. Their participation highlights the increasing appetite for international competition, with more athletes eager to test themselves against the best.
TotalSUP caught up with Marta and Mikołaj to chat about their return to Agios Nikolaos on SUP and the growing presence of Polish athletes on the international stage. With world-class competition, a unique dual-event format, and the stunning backdrop of Crete, Agios Nikolaos on SUP 2025 is set to be a milestone edition, celebrating a decade of elite SUP racing in spectacular fashion.
Photo source: Agios Nikolaos on SUP
We have both started from swimming and during Summer camps we were introduced to stand-up paddleboarding as a fun extra activity – that was around ten years ago. Over time, it gradually evolved into regular training and competitions, and leading up to the 2022 ICF Worlds in Gdynia, we began taking a more professional and focused approach.
Photo courtesy of Marta and Mikołaj
We come from the windy and wavy Bay of Gdańsk, where we have a few local clubs focusing mainly on SUP surfing and recreational paddling, but there are some strong athletes coming from our area.
We would say that the national SUP scene is still rather young and rapidly evolving but there is already a lot of potential which can be seen, which was proven with multiple international medals last season coming from our Polish athletes. We are sure that the SUP world will hear more about paddlers from Poland.
Photo courtesy of Marta and Mikołaj
Since we study at two different universities and we are yet to move in together, we see training as an another opportunity to spend time together. Supporting each other during tense competitions and travelling together also makes the season easier.
But there is also time (especially during the off-season at home) when besides completing the daily planned training we take a little bit of a break from talking about sport to keep a healthy balance.
Our first international competition – 2021 ICF Worlds at the Lake Balaton in Hungary – opened a whole new world for us allowing us to see how the pros raced back then. Later, the ICF Worlds in Gdynia and Agios Nikolaos on SUP races in 2022 truly sparked our competitive spirit, which has never faded after that.
Photo source: Agios Nikolaos on SUP
This will be our 4th time racing in the beautiful city of Agios Nikolaos. The climate, food, hospitality and the races are simply outstanding. From flat water sprints to a breathtaking downwind runs along the Cretan coast. This race and place has become a staple and we are also happy to bring our families along and have a great time together!
Photo source: Agios Nikolaos on SUP
International competitions differ a lot from one another. Agios has a great balance of friendliness and competitive spirit in it. The organisation is professional and serious but the whole place lets you enjoy the Greek climate and atmosphere in the best way at the same time.
Photo source: Agios Nikolaos on SUP
For the past four years Agios Nikolaos on SUP has been held in a different month every time. This combined with quite unpredictable island’s weather, which can change from dead flat to strong wind over a few hours makes it particularly interesting.
We think the biggest challenge, but also fun is that you have to be ready for anything. Our home spot conditions are a bit different, but the Baltic’s unpredictable wind and waves make us feel at our sandy second home when it’s all happening 🙂
Marta Apanasewicz won the Silver Medal in Sprints at the 2024 Agios Nikolaos on SUP event | Photo source: Agios Nikolaos on SUP
For the set up we are currently using the NSP Ninjas 20” and 21”, Cheetahs 21” and Carolinas 22”. This set up allows us to achieve maximum performance in any conditions from a glassy flat water race to a blasting downwind session. We are really happy to be a part of the NSP family supported by Wioslujcie.pl.
Photo courtesy of Marta and Mikołaj
The plan is not finalised yet. Nevertheless, you can be sure to expect us at the major Polish and Czech competitions, especially the Polish Championships, Czech championship and CUP and obviously the 2025 ICF World Championships in Abu Dhabi in November.
Photo source: Agios Nikolaos on SUP
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