Behind the race circuit: Celebrating the volunteers of the Belgian SUP Tour

Led by Vincent Claeskens, the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) has become one of Europe’s most established and mature SUP racing circuits. Its strength, however, lies in more than the racing itself. It is built on a close-knit community and the dedication of volunteers whose contribution, in the words of its founder, extends far beyond any single race.

Following the demanding long-distance event L’Enfer des Canaux, Vincent wanted to turn the spotlight away from the results and towards the people who make them possible: the volunteers behind the Belgian SUP Tour.

Welcoming participants, managing registration, preparing equipment and setting up the venue are just some of the many tasks that go into bringing an event to life. Much of the work behind every SUP race happens behind the scenes, requiring hours of preparation, teamwork and practical support to ensure everything runs smoothly and participants can focus on the experience.

At L’Enfer des Canaux, the demanding course, with several portages and a neutralised passage at Armentières, called for additional coordination and hands-on assistance. From guiding paddlers in and out of the water to helping transfer boards, volunteers played a vital role in keeping the event running smoothly – a reminder that behind every successful event is a dedicated team whose contribution often goes unseen but makes all the difference.

Vincent’s message of appreciation recognises, in alphabetical order, Charline, Charlotte, Cindy, Filip, Florence, François, Frank, Heidi, Iben, Jade, Jean François, Joeri, Kevin, Marie Élisabeth, Maxime, Philippe, Sandrine, Sylvain and Tineke, alongside all the other volunteers from L’Enfer des Canaux and Paddle of the Kempen.

As Vincent Claeskens emphasised, the SUP race results tell the story of what happened on the water. Behind them lies another story: one of preparation, teamwork and people willing to give their time so that others can race. These are the people who help make the Belgian SUP Tour what it is and whose contribution deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

Building on Vincent’s message, we caught up with Heidi Dekien, Jean-François Marescaux and Sandrine Loontjens to explore the people behind the events, the community at the heart of the Belgian SUP Tour and the continued growth of the sport.

Hi Vincent, welcome back to TotalSUP. What made you want to recognise the volunteers before publishing the championship results?

After a competition, we naturally talk about the performances, the podiums and the close battles on the water. The athletes put a lot into their sport and deserve that recognition. But I also wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the people who make those races possible.

When I look back on a race day, I also think of those who loaded the equipment, welcomed the competitors, helped along the course and were still there packing everything away after the last paddlers had left. They give their time and energy, sometimes over several days, alongside their own work and family commitments.

Before sharing the results, I wanted to give them some visibility too. Their contribution is part of what makes an event a success, and that story deserves to be told.

Which volunteer responsibilities do competitors rarely see, but depend on throughout a race day?

A lot happens before competitors arrive and after they leave. Equipment needs to be prepared and transported, the venue set up and registrations managed. That includes checking entries, confirming categories, welcoming participants and making sure the information is correct before racing begins.

During the race, volunteers give directions, help at portages and find practical solutions when something unexpected happens. At the finish, they help identify competitors, record their finishing order and support the timing team. Those tasks require concentration, especially when several paddlers cross the line close together.

There is also the work that goes into checking results and preparing the different classifications: overall results, age categories, national championship standings and the relevant tour rankings. One finishing position can feed into several classifications, so getting the details right matters to every competitor and to the podium presentations.

Afterwards, everything has to be taken down, checked and packed away for the next event. The work also continues between races, from updating the website and sharing results to preparing the next round. A paddler usually sees the person helping them at a particular moment, but perhaps not all the work surrounding that moment.

What did L’Enfer des Canaux demonstrate about the importance of a coordinated volunteer team?

L’Enfer des Canaux was a very practical example. With around 52 kilometres between Aire sur la Lys and Warneton, five portages and a neutralised section at Armentières, the organisation had to extend well beyond the start and finish areas.

Teams needed to be positioned along the route, anticipate the paddlers’ arrival and, in some cases, move to another location once their first assignment was complete. At the portages, competitors needed clear guidance on where to get out, which way to go and where to rejoin the water. As fatigue builds, that support becomes even more valuable.

Working closely with Nord Paddle Club and the volunteers on the ground was essential. The event showed how much each team relies on the others. For the paddlers, that coordination means finding clear directions and a helping hand when they need them.

How has the commitment of volunteers helped Belgian SUP Tour develop, and what would you most like to say to them?

I started the Belgian SUP Tour because I wanted to help build a stronger SUP community in Belgium, bring clubs closer together and create opportunities for experienced racers, young paddlers and amateurs to get on the water together. Making that happen takes people who are willing to get involved.

Volunteers help us deliver the events and improve them. Those who return get to know what is needed, share their experience and suggest better ways of doing things. Having people we can count on helps us develop the tour and build our collaborations with neighbouring countries.

Above all, I want to express how much I value their commitment. I know it can mean a very early start, changing family plans or staying to help when they are already tired. That appreciation extends to the regular volunteers, those who join us for a single race and everyone who quietly helps behind the scenes. I may often be the person people see or contact, but BST is a collective effort. The volunteers are very much part of it, and I hope they feel proud of what we are building together. They have every reason to be.

In conversation with Heidi Dekien, Jean-François Marescaux and Sandrine Loontjens:

Hi, welcome to TotalSUP! What inspired you to volunteer and be part of the Belgian SUP Tour, and what does supporting this event mean to you personally?

Heidi Dekien:

I only became involved with the Belgian SUP Tour about one year ago. It all started when I participated in a race myself and discovered the SUP racing community through my son, who wanted to take his paddling further and start competing.

What immediately struck me was the atmosphere. At the Belgian SUP Tour events, everyone shares the same passion for stand-up paddleboarding. People are always friendly, supportive, approachable and willing to help each other. Whether you are an experienced racer or participating for the first time, you are welcomed into the community.

For me, volunteering is a way of giving something back to a sport that has brought so much enjoyment to my family. I enjoy being part of a team that is working towards the same goal: helping the sport grow and creating opportunities for paddlers of all ages and levels.

I also believe the Belgian SUP Tour deserves recognition for the enormous amount of work that happens behind the scenes. Vincent Claeskens dedicates countless hours of his free time to organizing races and promoting the sport throughout Belgium. Without his passion and commitment, there would be far fewer SUP events in Belgium and our country would have much less visibility on the international SUP stage.

Fortunately, he is supported by an amazing team of volunteers, many of whom are family members. His sister, Florence Claeskens, plays a huge role behind the scenes and is often the first smiling face participants meet at registration. She welcomes and assists every paddler with incredible dedication, often together with Jade, who has also become a familiar face within the Belgian SUP Tour. Vincent’s children and Florence’s children also contribute in their own ways. It is inspiring to see how much can be achieved through teamwork, trust and a shared passion.

Heidi Dekien

Jean-François Marescaux:

Helping out with this event came naturally to me. On the one hand, I know the route very well, as it’s where I train. On the other hand, the finish took place at a local brasserie that I regularly set off from for my training sessions, and the owners were naturally enthusiastic about hosting us for the event.

Finally, Vincent is deeply committed to his projects, and my personal regard for him made me want to help in whatever way I could.

Jean-François Marescaux

Sandrine Loontjens:

My uncle Vincent Claeskens started the Belgian SUP Tour driven by his pure passion for sports, watersports, and specifically SUP. Sports have always run in our family, my mom, Florence Claeskens is also a passionate SUP rider. Years ago, I used to love supping myself: participating in races, supping during travelling, and living an active lifestyle. Unfortunately, due to an accident, I can no longer SUP myself.

However, my passion for sports, watersports, and my family’s dreams remains as strong as ever. Besides that, I love diving into (start-up) projects, working with numbers and Excel sheets, building and maintaining websites, and testing out new systems, tools or gadgets. Supporting the Belgian SUP Tour allows me to combine these skills and do my part in helping my uncle achieve one of his biggest dreams.

Sandrine Loontjens

Why do you think events like the Belgian SUP Tour are important for growing stand-up paddleboarding and bringing the SUP community together?

Heidi Dekien:

The Belgian SUP Tour plays a crucial role in making SUP racing accessible. Competing abroad in countries such as France, Germany or the Netherlands can be intimidating and expensive, especially for newcomers. Having a national race circuit provides paddlers with a comfortable environment in which they can learn, gain experience and grow.
Another strength of BST is the variety of disciplines it offers. Throughout the season, paddlers can participate in sprint races, technical races, long-distance races and ultra-long-distance events. Races are held on lakes, rivers and even at sea. This variety allows athletes to discover what they enjoy most while developing a broad range of skills.

At the same time, Belgian SUP Tour creates a strong sense of community. Athletes compete against each other on the water, but support each other off the water. New paddlers receive advice from experienced racers, friendships are formed and people share their passion for the sport.

I have also noticed that many people know SUP as a recreational activity they try during holidays. Very few people realize that there is an exciting competitive side to the sport. Events like the Belgian SUP Tour help bridge that gap and show the wider public that SUP is a genuine sport requiring fitness, technique, endurance and strategy.

Heidi Dekien

Jean-François Marescaux:

Stand-up paddleboarding is a very well-rounded sport that is growing rapidly and becoming increasingly accessible, but it would benefit from better organisation and guidance. Events like these can help raise awareness of the importance of joining a club to receive the right information on safety, legislation and best practices.

Every event is worthwhile because it attracts both athletes looking to perform at their best and recreational participants, as races are often open to everyone. All participants are encouraged and recognised for their efforts.

Sandrine Loontjens:

Sport communities are incredibly important. Without Vincent Claeskens and the Belgian SUP Tour organizing these events, there would be little to no Belgian Championships for SUP. Today, we don’t just welcome Belgian paddlers, we regularly have participants from the Netherlands and France, and recently even from Ireland, Canada, and the United States!

Events like this give people a place to find a passion they excel in, channel their energy, and set achievable goals thanks to the various categories and diverse range of races set in stunning locations. The atmosphere is amazing; it’s a true community where people support each other and share tips and tricks.

What makes SUP unique is that you can practice it anywhere. I’ve supped everywhere from New Zealand to Norway and South Africa. It lets you experience countries in a completely different way, while practicing the sport in a uniquely beautiful setting. You can take your board anywhere and do it with friends, as a group, with your dog, on holiday, during the weekend, in good or bad weather, on the sea, a canal, or a lake. Whether you focus on technique, speed, or endurance on long-distance tracks, it is an insanely versatile sport.

Sandrine Loontjens

What impact do you hope the Belgian SUP Tour will have on the future of the sport, particularly in inspiring new paddlers and encouraging more people to get involved?

Heidi Dekien:

My hope is that Belgian SUP Tour continues to grow and becomes more visible to the general public. The future of any sport depends on attracting new participants, and SUP is no different.

One of the ways I personally hope to contribute is by organizing SUP initiation sessions alongside races and events. These sessions allow complete beginners to discover the sport in a fun and accessible way. I love seeing people arrive with no expectations and leave excited about paddling.

Interestingly, some participants who joined initiation sessions also competed with the fun race during the Battle of the Yser and they became fascinated by the races taking place around them. They started watching the hardboard competitors and asking questions about racing. That curiosity is exactly what we need if we want the sport to continue growing.

For the Belgian SUP Tour to keep developing, I believe increased visibility is essential. More media attention and stronger sponsorship support would help introduce SUP to a larger audience and attract new paddlers of all ages.

Ultimately, I hope more people discover that SUP offers an incredible combination of sport, nature and fun. It is a fantastic full-body workout, it allows you to enjoy beautiful surroundings, and it can be practiced recreationally or competitively. If more people experience that for themselves, I am convinced the sport will continue to flourish in Belgium.

Heidi Dekien

Jean-François Marescaux:

I believe the Belgian SUP Tour helps provide a more structured and well-supported framework for the sport, offering a professional yet welcoming showcase of what paddleboarding is all about. It also provides an opportunity to discover different locations across Belgium, from canals and lakes to the sea, as well as destinations beyond its borders, thanks to its proximity to the Netherlands and France.

The races on offer allow everyone to push their limits and challenge themselves in different ways.

Sandrine Loontjens:

Belgium may be a small country, but when it comes to SUP, we have an incredible pool of promising talent. Some have been training and racing for years, while others only started a year ago, sometimes still borrowing gear from my mom or uncle, and are already scoring podium after podium!

There are still so many people out there who have never heard of the competitive side of the sport. It goes far beyond an inflatable SUP you rent on holiday. There are races of all kinds: love speed? Go for the sprint. Love endurance? Go for long distance or even ultra long distance. That diversity is exceptional, and I hope the Belgian SUP Tour opens people’s eyes to just how far this sport can take them.

To find out more about the Belgian SUP Tour race series, visit belgiansuptour.be

Upcoming Belgian SUP Tour (BST) events:

• 13 December – SUP4Life 2026

Join the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) group on Facebook and follow BST on Instagram

Follow Heidi Dekien, Sandrine Loontjens and Jean-François Marescaux on Instagram

*Images courtesy of the Belgian SUP Tour and the volunteers: Heidi Dekien, Sandrine Loontjens and Jean-François Marescaux