Belgian National Champion and Tour Regular: Dirk de Beuf’s inspiring journey of grit and SUP comeback

Dirk de Beuf‘s SUP comeback might be one of the most compelling stories of our sport, shining a spotlight on the unsung Champion. How can you do justice to the story of an athlete who endured a heart attack while competing in one of the most iconic SUP races on the planet, only to make an incredible return the following year?

From landing aerials in windsurfing to clinching top podium finishes, Dirk remains unfazed, focusing on his next SUP adventure. The more challenging, the better, it seems – such as his latest feat: a gruelling 110km ultra-long-distance challenge in Brittany, France.

TotalSUP connected with the 53-year-old windsurfer-turned-professional SUP athlete and Coach from Ninove, Belgium, to discuss his extraordinary recovery journey, experiences as a regular competitor in the Belgian SUP Tour (BST), and what lies ahead in the season.

Photo by Yahnny Adolfo San Louis

Hi Dirk, welcome to TotalSUP! Let’s dive right in… What attracts windsurfers to the sport of stand-up paddleboarding?

Windsurfing is and remains my favourite sport in which I can indulge completely. Unfortunately, the conditions for a perfect windsurfing session are rather scarce.

Stand-up paddleboarding is the perfect alternative for me to stay in touch with the water. Moreover, I don’t have to spend an hour and a half in the car to drive to the sea.  In the end, there is nothing more blissful than returning home after an intense workout, tired but satisfied.

You’ve been one of the first paddlers in Belgium and have consistently stayed at the top. What inspired you to take up the competitive side of the sport of stand-up paddleboarding and what has kept you passionate about it over the years?

It all started in the Summer of 2013. After yet another windless period I was persuaded by some surf friends to go SUPping in Ghent for the first time. It seemed like a rather passive sport but at the end of the day it seemed to be fun and challenging.

Fourteen days later it was already the first Belgian Championships (Belgisch Kampioenschap) at sea. To my own surprise I became 3rd on an inflatable! From that moment on I was completely hooked and continued to race.

You have overcome a serious health set back. Were there any moments during your recovery when you doubted if you could return to SUP racing? How did you push through those doubts?

The 8th of September 2021 is the date I will never forget. After participating in five editions of the SUP 11-City Tour, I experienced a heart attack on the first day after just 20 kilometers in.

Thanks to the first aid crew, the correct assessment of the seriousness of the situation and the quick intervention of the emergency services, everything ended reasonably well (“right time in the right place”).

Mentally, it was not always easy: Healthy life, sports, regular check -ups, no hereditary disease and yet going through this…

My condition and preparation before that SUP 11-City Tour event were never better. As a result, recovery was also pretty smooth. I couldn’t believe my luck when eighteen days later I could stand on my board again for the first time during the Belgian SUP Tour (BST) Long Distance race on Lac de l’eau d’Heure.

It was the most exciting feeling to be back on the water (as a spectator and supporter). From that moment on, I also knew I was coming back…

Dirk de Bauf’s comeback at the 2022 edition of SUP 11-City Tour

We can’t believe it was only 18 days! Seems like you did not look back and have been consistently finishing first in your age category! How do you maintain such a high level of performance?

To be honest, I am a bit surprised by the result. On one hand due to a lack of real training hours the last two years, and on the other hand you notice that more and more people are being coached and that their level is actually improving. Until now I still manage to finish at the top of the Grand Kahuna’s (Race Format for Masters +50) but it is certainly not less exciting…

Could you share more about your involvement with the Belgian SUP Tour and what makes this event special for you? How would you encourage international paddlers to come over and compete on Belgian waters?

A few years back there was a strong decline of SUP races and participants. Thanks to Vincent Claeskens  and launching the Belgian SUP Tour (BST), we now have a full calendar of events again in which all disciplines are included.

Dirk de Beuf with Kjell De Bruyn

The nice thing about this formula is that these competitions are open to both elite and recreational riders. Moreover, there is competition in different age categories which makes it extra exciting. The BST is ‘open’ to everyone which means that SUPpers from neighbouring countries can also participate which makes it even more interesting. Everyone pushes even harder so the overall level can only increase.

A remarkable fact is that a lot of young guys are already going really fast and are making a solid progress in a short period of time.

Are you a part of any SUP clubs? Could you tell us about your local SUP scene (both leisure and competitive) and the paddling community in Belgium?

During my rehabilitation, I reflected my life a bit and put ‘vague plans’ into concrete action.
Meanwhile, I founded my own mobile SUP school Dendersup.be. We are mainly active on the river Dender in the region of Ninove – Geraardsbergen – Denderleeuw.

Our main goal is to get as many people as possible active on the water in the middle of a beautiful piece of nature. Some of them have really got the hang of it and we will definitely meet them at one of the next competitions!

We also hold regular SUP Clean Up’s to keep the Dender, ‘our playground’, clean so that less waste ends up in the sea!

What are your next stops of the Belgian SUP Tour? We’ve also heard about the Rennes-la-Mer race with Vincent Claeskens?

Next competition of the Belgian SUP Tour is the SUP 4 Life in Ghent, on 15 December. This is also the traditional closing of the SUP season. The long distance course goes right through the historic centre of Ghent and I definitely recommend it!

Outside of the Belgian SUP Tour races,  I try to participate in some additional challenges and adventures every year such as the SUP 11-City Tour, Dordogne Intégrale or Norfolk Broads.

We’ve just participated with Vincent and 30 other SUPpers in the “l’Enfer de l’Ouest,” a 110km ultra long distance challenge in Brittany, France. The unique thing about this marathon is that the participants have to go against the current from La Richardais to Rennes. Along the way, there’s a lot of ‘klûnen’ to navigate past the 49 locks!

The locks came one after another, and the final stretch was completed once more in the dark. Finally, after almost 14 hours, we reached the finish in Rennes. Another adventure in the pocket!

Thank you Dirk for sharing your inspiring story and we wish you even more SUP challenges and adventures!

Photo by Edwin Westra

To find out more and register for the Belgian SUP Tour, visit belgiansuptour.be

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

Follow Dirk de Beuf and his SUP School on Instagram

*Images courtesy of Dirk de Beuf and Belgian SUP Tour 

Dirk’s top SUP achievements: 

• Belgian Champion Masters Long Distance (2019)
• Dordogne Intégrale (2017 & 2018 –> 13th)
• 2021: Vice Belgian Champion Long Distance (Grand Masters)
• 2022: Setting up the SUP School Dendersup.be
• 2023: Belgian Championship Sprint: 1st place Grand Kahuna/3rd Overall
• 2023: Belgian Championship Technical: 1st place Grand Kahuna/4th Overall
• 2023: 1st place Belgian Sup Tour Grand Kahuna/3th Overall
• 2024: Belgian Championship Ultra Long Distance: 1st place Grand Kahuna/3th Overall
• 2024: Belgian Championship Sprint: 1st place Grand Kahuna
• 2024: Belgian Championship Technical: 1st place Grand Kahuna