One to watch: Polish SUP Champion and Basssup Team Rider Katarzyna Zarembik

Hailing from RTW Racibórz, Poland’s most dynamic SUP club and the driving force behind the international success of the Polish Junior Team, Katarzyna Zarembik, the 2024 Long Distance National SUP Champion, has taken the next step in her professional SUP journey by joining the Basssup Team. TotalSUP caught up with the 22-year-old SUP athlete, to get insights into the Polish racing scene and her recent sponsorship move.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki

Hi Kasia, welcome to TotalSUP! Huge congratulations on your recent National SUP Championship title and joining the Basssup Team! How did your SUP adventure begin, and when did you decide to pursue this discipline professionally?

Hi, my SUP journey started by accident. One day, I met my current Coach, Mariusz Miczek, who suggested I come see what SUP paddling was all about. I liked it, but it wasn’t easy. At that time, just standing on the board and not falling into the water was a success for me. I started training more seriously after about a year of paddling. That’s when I began to take it more seriously.

Photo source: Odra SUP Cup

You’re part of the RTW SUP Club, which has incredibly accelerated competitive SUP in Poland, with juniors consistently reaching the podium on the international stage as well. What is the key to SUP success?

I believe that a major factor is training in a group. By training with others, we are able to push ourselves more than when training alone. The group motivates and challenges each other during the main training tasks.

Photo source: RTW Racibórz

Could you tell us about the Polish SUP scene and what is needed for its further development?

I believe that the level of SUP in Poland is rising, especially with our juniors who are achieving times that are the same as or even better than most seniors. It’s great to see more and more of them, and the level of their performances is becoming increasingly impressive. I think Polish SUP should focus on them because they are the future of the sport. We should be catching up with the world, not falling behind.

Photo source: RTW Racibórz

Tell us more about your collaboration with Basssup

KMy collaboration with Bassa is based on a very friendly relationship. I know I can always count on them, which motivates me to give my best as an athlete. I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with such people and I hope that together we can achieve a lot.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki

What board are you currently using? And with your extensive experience with different boards, what do you look for (what parameters) in race boards?

I currently paddle on the custom 14×21.5 Basssup board from the California range, and even though I’ve only recently started using it, I find it to be a very good board for me. With each training session, I feel more comfortable on it. Before I began training on the Basssup board, I practically always raced on boards that I wasn’t that familiar with. I competed on whatever was available at the time. Because of this, I know that a board for me should be both fast and stable. I’ve always had trouble staying upright at the start of long-distance races, where a large number of competitors meant I had to “fight” with the board to stay balanced. Therefore, I’m happy that I can now focus on paddling fast without worrying about losing my balance.

Photo source: Odra SUP Cup

What are your favourite competitive SUP formats and why?

Definitely long distance (LD). I find it easier to manage my energy and maintain a steady pace over a longer period than to focus on sprints or technical competitions, which involve quick bursts of speed—this isn’t really for me.

Photo source: Odra SUP Cup

What would you say to SUP enthusiasts who want to start participating in their first competitions?

Don’t be afraid to give it a try. Everyone starts somewhere, and in my opinion, it’s a great experience. If you enjoy SUP and competition, I definitely recommend it.

Photo source: Odra SUP Cup

What are your SUP plans and events for the rest of the season?

I dream of competing in the ISA World Championships in Copenhagen and achieving the best possible placement, as well as participating in the Krumlov Water Sprite Marathon, where I would love to defend my 1st place from last year. Although I must admit that simply finishing the race is a significant and satisfying achievement in itself.

Photo by Marso Foto

Thank you for your time and we’re looking forward to meeting you in person in the near future!

To find out more about Basssup, visit basssup.com

Follow SUP Bass on Facebook and Instagram 

Follow Katarzyna Zarembik on Instagram

Follow RTW Racibórz on Facebook and Instagram