The European SUP scene is all fired up! On Saturday, 27 June, the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) heads to Surfclub Windekind in Oostduinkerke for one of the most anticipated events of the season: the Belgian SUP Tour (BST)’s Championship Technical Race.
As the fourth stop of the twelve-race Belgian SUP Tour calendar and a counting event for the 2026 BeNeSUP Tour rankings, the championship is expected to attract a strong international field from Belgium, the Netherlands, France and beyond. What truly sets this event apart is not only the level of competition, but the unique racing environment of the Belgian North Sea.
Among the confirmed names, defending champion Kjell De Bruyn returns after taking victory at last year’s Belgian Championship Technical Race. Dutch athlete Maximus Sijrier is also back in Oostduinkerke following a top-five finish in 2025, while Loranne Vleminckx lines up again after securing 2nd place in the Elite Women’s Division, firmly establishing herself among Belgium’s strongest technical racers.
While many technical races across Europe take place in sheltered bays, harbours, lakes or protected coastal waters, Oostduinkerke offers something increasingly rare: genuine open-sea racing conditions.
Competitors will face the ever-changing challenges of the North Sea, where wind, swell, currents and surf can transform the race course within minutes. Beach starts, buoy turns in moving water and constant tactical decision-making create a racing experience that closely resembles the conditions athletes may encounter at major international championships.
For paddlers looking to develop their technical skills in real ocean conditions, opportunities like this are surprisingly scarce in Europe. The Belgian Championship Technical Race has therefore earned a reputation as one of the continent’s most authentic sea-based technical racing events.
Kjell De Bruyn
“Technical ocean-style racing with beach starts, beach passages, and waves – if Mother Nature decides to cooperate!”
The event combines two exciting race formats: a spectacular Mass Start and a Pursuit Race.
Unlike many technical race formats where competitors can be eliminated early, every athlete gets the opportunity to compete in both races. The format rewards not only speed, but also technical ability, race management and tactical awareness, while ensuring maximum racing time for all participants.
The result is a more engaging competition for elite paddlers and recreational racers alike.
Beyond the national title, the championship carries additional significance this year as one of the first selection opportunities for athletes targeting the 2026 Paddle Europe SUP Championships in Agios Nikolaos, Greece on 18 -20 September.
For Belgian paddlers in particular, it provides an early-season benchmark against strong international field. With athletes from neighbouring countries expected on the start line, competitors will have a valuable opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest technical racers in the region.
Maximus Sijrier
“Like always, Belgian SUP Tour (BST) races are well organised, with a great atmosphere and an amazing community. I especially enjoy the beach races because there’s always a chance of waves, which makes the racing even more technical and exciting. Last year the conditions were relatively flat, and I didn’t race as well as I would have liked, so this year I’m coming back determined to do better.”
As with every Belgian SUP Tour event, the day is about more than results and rankings. The championship concludes with an informal dinner where paddlers, supporters and volunteers come together to share stories from the water and enjoy the community spirit that continues to define the sport.
For athletes seeking a true technical racing challenge in genuine ocean conditions, the Belgian Championship Technical Race remains one of the most unique opportunities on the European SUP calendar.
Loranne Vlemincx (Belgium) and Marin Hoeboer (The Netherlands)
*Images courtesy of Belgian SUP Tour (BST)
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