Triple X and the path to SUP freedom: BassSUP x Yehor Tarasko launch the Freestyle Basic paddleboard

As Basssup approaches its 10-year anniversary, the premium inflatable SUP brand founded by Jędrzej Klafkowski and Małgosia Majda continues to expand both its presence and vision within the international SUP scene. Travelling across the European SUP League (ESL) circuit alongside its athlete team, the brand is building toward a major milestone this season with the ODRA SUP CUP in Rybnik (26–28 June), where BassSUP will headline the event as title sponsor of ESL Stop #4 on home waters in Poland.

Fresh off the release of its new hard board and custom catalogue, BassSUP is now pushing into another evolving corner of the sport with the launch of a new inflatable freestyle board developed in collaboration with freestyle rider Yehor Tarasko. Rooted at its core in inflatable SUP design, the brand’s latest project reflects both its appetite for innovation and its ambition to continue expanding the possibilities of what inflatable boards can do.

Jędrzej Klafkowski, Co-Founder and shaper, commented on the collaboration:

“As with everything we do, it all started with friendship – a very good one – and naturally evolved into board design, especially as Yehor continues to push the boundaries of the SUP discipline.

What he does is incredible, and it clearly demonstrates what can be achieved with a board – how much fun and creativity you can unlock with just a small stretch of water. In our opinion, this is something that adds enormous value to SUP as a whole.

Because of that, we became increasingly interested and ultimately decided to jointly produce a freestyle board. It’s a bold step and, in many ways, positions us as pioneers within a developing discipline, helping to shape new trends. Yehor’s contribution to this process has been immense – these are his ideas on how to bring the concept closer to people, and how to give them a kind of ‘map’ or framework to navigate and develop their skills.”

Małgorzata Majda, Co-Founder and the driving force behind the brand’s inflatable SUP (iSUP) division, added on the Freestyle board’s place in the quiver:

The Freestyle Basic is one of three new BassSUP models this year, and it brings added variety to an important anniversary collection for Bass.

As you know, the BassSUP collection is focused on meeting customer needs. That’s why it includes a range of models that break the stereotypes of inflatable constructions to achieve specific goals – such as boards designed for winning, boards that replicate the feel of rigid boards, and the iSUP Dragon 12’6”- 14’.

At the moment, there is no board on the market that combines the characteristics of a classic touring board, a recreational board, and at the same time allows users to learn the basics of SUP freestyle.

Is there demand for it? We’ll see 🙂 What I do know is that there is demand for a ‘combo’ board (touring and freestyle), and a strong demand for freestyle skills – meaning technical board control, which is essential in competitive racing. So if there is interest, we provide the equipment to help turn those ambitions into reality.

The Freestyle Basic brings a fresh dynamic to our collection and answers that curiosity of: ‘what has BassSUP come up with this season?’”

To take a deeper look at the new board, we caught up with Yehor Tarasko, BassSUP Team Rider and one of the country’s leading freestyle SUP riders, who is now also running hugely popular freestyle clinics while helping grow and shape the discipline from the ground up.

Hi Yehor, welcome back to TotalSUP! Huge congratulations on launching your signature board! What was the main inspiration behind designing your new freestyle board with BassSUP?

Aloha TotalSUP and dear readers! Thank you for the congratulations, and honestly, I truly hope this board will appeal not only to SUP freestyle enthusiasts, but also to everyone who has already mastered the basics of paddling and wants to take their first step toward discovering the full potential of paddleboarding – a world where freedom rules and there are no limits to having fun.

The idea of creating my own board had been growing in my mind for a very long time. Back when I was taking my own first steps and learning how to balance on a SUP, I noticed that one of the biggest challenges was simply moving around on the board. Every action on a SUP requires taking one or several steps – positioning your feet correctly, maintaining balance and controlling movement.

Over time, my skills developed significantly and I stopped looking down at my feet. I began focusing more on paddle work, refining tricks, and continuing my own progression.

Today, however, my biggest inspiration comes from the people I teach.

For several years now, I’ve been going through a huge transformation as a coach through my own SUP Freestyle Basic programme. I’ve worked with many students at different levels, and in a way, it brought me back to the time when I was learning myself. Watching my students, I kept seeing the same problems appear: where to place the foot, at what angle, what the next movement should be, and how to remember the entire sequence when a trick consists of many stages.

One of the fundamental skills in freestyle – and really in almost every SUP activity – is the ability to walk on the board. I always say that learning SUP freestyle has a lot in common with learning dance. Think about it: when you walk, do you constantly look down at your feet and count every step?

That’s exactly why the deck pad received its distinctive X-X-X pattern. It’s an interactive marking system that, in my opinion, significantly simplifies learning freestyle – and not only freestyle. The pattern shows where to place your feet, at what angle, and where the board’s most stable axis is located. It helps build the step sequences needed for more complex tricks and gives the rider much greater awareness of movement.

How did the collaboration with BassSUP come about when designing the board?

The most important thing is that we’ve taken the first step. I believe we will continue developing this project, learning from mistakes, and striving for perfection. The collaboration was very interesting and productive, especially thanks to the involvement of Małgorzata Majda, Head of the iSUP (inflatable board) division. It was genuinely a very good creative process.

What should a freestyle SUP board have that a classic SUP does not offer?

Above all, it had to be ‘barefoot friendly.’

A soft, comfortable deck pad covering the entire surface of the board was essential. It’s no secret that SUP freestyle requires full foam coverage across the deck. For a long time, I paddled in footwear after various foot injuries – cuts, bruises, even fractures. But the truth is, your best friend for balance is being barefoot. Any kind of footwear limits your feel for the board, especially with thicker soles.

Dynamic tricks require excellent grip, which is why the deck pad features a diamond-groove texture. At the nose and tail, there are two kick pads that maintain the classic SUP aesthetic while also increasing functionality during tricks. The cargo system can be removed if someone wants maximum freedom of movement, and all mounting elements were designed to remain safe for bare feet. The leash attachment features two rings and is positioned in a way that doesn’t interfere with freestyle movements while still remaining practical and secure.

What role did your own paddling style play in the final design?

The most unique thing about this board is that… it remains incredibly versatile.

My style can be described as dynamic and functional. I love tricks based on speed and fluidity of movement – a bit like SUP surfing or whitewater paddling, where the energy flows together with the wave or the river current. That kind of dynamic movement gives me the greatest enjoyment.

That’s why the shape and dimensions of the board remain relatively classic for an everyday SUP. The model measures 12’2” x 29” x 5” and can be described as a light touring-freestyle board. It’s fast, manoeuvrable, and highly versatile.

Who is this board designed for – more beginner freestyle riders or already advanced athletes?

For anyone looking to have fun on a SUP. Both beginners and more experienced riders will find something for themselves in this board. The interactive X-X-X pattern opens up huge possibilities for creative movement and freestyle progression.

Do you see this board as a step towards developing a new freestyle SUP scene in Europe?

In my opinion – definitely! It’s a completely different approach to the philosophy of SUP freestyle compared to what currently exists on the market. It’s a fully functional SUP designed for a wide range of users, while at the same time adapted to the needs of freestyle.

The most important element is the interactive X-X-X code itself, which supports self-learning, group training, as well as future lessons and educational materials that I plan to create.

What were the biggest challenges in creating equipment that combines performance with a “fun factor”?

The biggest challenge was creating something unique, but not overly niche.

I wanted to design a board that would be just as enjoyable for paddling several kilometres as it would be for spontaneously playing around with freestyle during sunset sessions. A board you could also take your child on and simply enjoy time together on the water. The comfortable, soft full-deck pad increases both safety and comfort for every user. It’s simply a board for everyone.

As you’re organising clinics, do you see growing interest in freestyle SUP among the community and young riders?

I definitely see growing interest. My students range from primary school children to people of retirement age – and I’m really not exaggerating. There are even entire families involved, although the biggest group consists of middle-aged adults.

Most of them don’t dream about performing extreme tricks. What they are all looking for, however, are new emotions, good fun, and new ways to work on balance and movement on the board. Freestyle allows people to develop their skills in a very creative way.

Among both children and adults, I already see people with huge potential who could take this ‘sport’ much further. Time will tell how much the scene will grow.

One thing is worth emphasizing: without broader interest, SUP freestyle will remain a niche passion for only a handful of enthusiasts. For real quality and scene development to happen, there first needs to be scale and a larger community.

Where would you like to see this board in action this season – at which events or spots?

Under the feet of ordinary people – children and adults – on lakes, rivers, seas, and maybe even oceans. Simply anywhere people want to have fun on the water.

The nearest events in Poland where people will be able to test the board are King of the Bay, ODRA SUP CUP, Planet Baltic SUP Race, and Beskidzka Supmasa Krytyczna – Sport District.

See you there! Congratulations once again Yehor – Keep shredding!

To find out more about Basssup, visit basssup.com

Follow SUP Bass on Facebook and Instagram 

Follow Yehor on Instagram and Facebook 

*Images courtesy to BassSUP x Yehor Tarasko