Plug in & paddle: BassSUP’s new White Water SUP put to the test by Łukasz ‘Santa’ Chochorowski

As BassSUP celebrates its 10th anniversary, the Polish brand is marking the occasion with an expanded quiver of boards, including an exciting first: its very own white water SUP – Bass White Water 9’9″ x 36″ x 6″ SUP

Founded in 2016 by Jędrzej Klafkowski and Małgosia Majda, BassSUP is a premium Polish SUP brand that has been part of the sport’s development from the very beginning. Over the past decade, the brand has built its reputation around performance, innovation and a strong connection to the wider SUP community – evolving from inflatable boards to high-performance custom hardboards.

Now, with its first dedicated whitewater model, BassSUP is taking that experience into one of SUP’s most demanding environments: fast-flowing rivers, rapids and technical white water.

To put the board through its paces, we caught up with the paddler who was among the first to test it on the water – Łukasz ‘Santa’ Chochorowski, pro racer, coach and founder of SUP Kultura Kraków, one of Poland’s established SUP schools and training centres. With years of experience paddling and coaching on rivers, Łukasz has also been organising SUP trips through some of Poland’s most spectacular waterways, including the Dunajec River.

Łukasz ‘Santa’ Chochorowski at this year’s Planet Baltic SUP Race, Kołobrzeg, Poland | Photo by Piotr Roszak

Flowing through the dramatic Dunajec River Gorge in the Pieniny National Park, the river offers an extraordinary way to experience one of Poland’s most beautiful landscapes – and, beyond its famous rafting routes, provides a unique playground for those looking to explore its rougher waters by stand-up paddleboard.

So, what happens when you put BassSUP’s new White Water board to the test on the river? We asked Łukasz about its handling, stability, responsiveness and what it takes to earn a place in a whitewater paddler’s quiver.

Łukasz, you had the opportunity to test the new Bass White Water. What was your first impression when you stepped onto the board?

Even just looking at the board while inflating it on the riverbank, I could tell it was going to be good and that we were going to have chemistry. The right length-to-width ratio combined with plenty of rocker is exactly what the tigers love most on white water. I couldn’t wait to put it to the test!

White water is a very specific environment. What stood out to you most about the way this board performs on the river?

“Specific” is a good word. A mountain river is a mix of great fun, adrenaline and risk, with the level of risk increasing directly in proportion to the WW (White Water) class of the river you’re paddling.

What impressed me? How manoeuvrable it is and the way it handles on the water! It’s a real Tasmanian devil, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for. Frequent and rapid changes of direction are part of the DNA of a mountain river, and the board, as a tool, needs to adapt fully to that – you should never fight the water!

On the river, reactions often need to be immediate. How does the Bass White Water respond to quick changes of direction and corrections?

Like a TV remote – you press a button, or shift your centre of gravity in the right way in coordination with your paddle stroke, and you’re immediately where you need to be.
Mountain-river SUPs are often heavier than standard boards because of the durability required.

The extra weight also provides additional stability. In this case, the balance between all the parameters has been perfectly dialled in.

How would you rate its stability in situations where the current, waves and obstacles start working against you?

Whitewater SUP is like rodeo or riding a roller coaster – you get on and go, and often there’s no way to stop. The most important thing is to trust your board. Keeping a calm mind really helps when making decisions in demanding situations, because we have to remember that every fall into the water carries a certain level of risk.

The board’s volume and buoyancy, combined with its width and large EVA foam area, allow the rider to comfortably adopt a neutral or open stance. Combined with effective paddle work, this provides a really stable platform.

You have a lot of experience paddling the Dunajec. What has the river taught you, and what do you look for in equipment today? Have you had a chance to test the new Bass on the Dunajec itself?

Bass’s board went straight into our White Water Test Center and quickly became one of the core boards in our river quiver. We’ve tested it in a variety of conditions — from the Dunajec, to the Salza River in Austria, as well as on a whitewater kayaking course.

The river teaches you humility and that you can’t fight the water – just like the mountains, which are beautiful in themselves but can often be harsh and demanding. The right equipment and preparation are fundamental, and everything depends on the river or spot you’re tackling. The Dunajec, which is generally a WW I river, occasionally reaching WW II, is completely different from paddling on the Soča or Salza, where we paddle sections of WW III or IV.

What makes a good river board? What does it need to have for you to really trust it?

The right shape, a good amount of foam/EVA deck area providing grip, and high-quality construction. A board is a partner that accompanies us in the most demanding conditions.
We have plenty of boards from different brands at our White Water Test Center, and the Bass River quickly became one of our go-to boards, holding its own against the best boards on the market.

We’re really stoked about it and proud that boards designed in Poland with our input are this good!

How important is it today for a SUP board to be designed specifically for a particular discipline? Do we really need increasingly specialised equipment?

There’s no single board that can do everything. Specialisation and a design created specifically around the requirements of a particular discipline help address the needs of a specific environment, giving the rider more fun while also allowing them to progress their skills.

Is this a board that gives the paddler more room for error, or is it more of a tool for someone looking to maximise their technique?

A bit of both 🙂 It all depends on the river you’re heading onto. The most important thing is that the Bass White Water is a great platform for anyone who wants to find their feet in white water, regardless of their skill level.

Who do you think the Bass White Water is best suited to?

Everyone! Whether you’re just starting your whitewater adventure or you eat rapids for breakfast. With a calm paddle stroke, I can recommend it to anyone looking for one board for mountain rivers. See you on the water!

Find out more about the Bass White Water model here 

To find out more about Basssup, visit basssup.com

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Follow Łukasz and SUP Kultura Kraków on Instagram and Facebook

*Images courtesy of BassSUP and SUP Kultura Kraków