A new wave of athletes is beginning to shift the traditional timeline of elite sport – where experience, progression, and maturity are usually built over years. Ambitious and hungry, they’re stepping up early, already competing simultaneously in junior and open divisions and holding their own at both levels.
Since its inception, the Belgian SUP Tour (BST)has played a key role in this movement, serving as both a testing ground and a platform for emerging talent. It’s where many of these athletes have gained valuable race experience, built confidence, and earned visibility on the international stage.
We caught up with Loranne Vlemincx (16), Marrit Miedema (13), Marin Hoeboer(15) and Elin van der Sar (15) – four names rapidly establishing themselves on the international SUP scene and part of a new generation worth watching.
What makes their story particularly compelling is not just their results, but the connection between them. They are competitors, constantly pushing each other forward, yet they share a strong sense of mutual respect and friendship that extends well beyond the racecourse.
Loranne Vlemincx | Photo source: Planet Baltic
Loranne Vlemincx, 16, Belgium
Loranne Vlemincx from Belgium has rapidly established herself as a dominant force in the national SUP scene. Since starting paddling in 2020, she has claimed Belgian Champion titles in Sprint, Technical and Long Distance (2025), showcasing remarkable versatility and consistency across formats.
Her structured progression, reliability and adaptability confirm her potential to transition seamlessly from national leader to international contender. Backed by Blackfish Paddles, Loranne keeps building her presence on the water.
Loranne said:
“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I really belonged among the elite females. But then I started to enjoy the competitions more, because with the elites I have more battles with other really great competitors. We really push each other to get better, and we have a very good friendship, so I keep having fun both on and off the water.
I do feel like our generation is changing the pace of the sport, because we have so many people who share their knowledge about technique, and we can use all the available options to see what works best for us. We also motivate each other to keep getting faster and better.”
Key Results:
• Belgian Champion (Sprint, Technical, Long Distance) 2025
• 1st U16 Baltic SUP Race 2025
• 3rd U18 Baltic SUP Race 2025
• 3rd U16 Long Distance Lake Rocks Festival
Marrit Miedema | Image courtesy of Marrit
Marrit Miedema, 13, The Netherlands
At just 13, Marrit Miedema from the Netherlands is already competing well beyond her age category, showcasing explosive talent and early dominance in SUP racing.
Known for her rare combination of speed, technique and endurance, Marrit is charting a clear and ambitious trajectory: to establish herself in the Open Women category and ultimately compete for world titles. Backed by Flying Fish Board Co and Free Movement Sports, she continues to impress with her determination and maturity on the water.
Marrit said:
“It has been really exciting to move up to elite racing, and it makes you want to do your best and improve even more. We kept racing the same few junior competitors, and after a while it just wasn’t challenging anymore. But racing against the elites makes it more exciting and gives you new goals for the next races.
Having fun before and after the race is just as important as performance on the water – that’s what makes racing worth it.
My favourite race types are sprint and technical, so I really enjoy events like the Belgian SUP Tour’s Hazewinkel and Koksijde stops. This season we’re planning to do Paddle of the Kempen and Hazewinkel, and I’m especially excited for Paddle of the Kempen because it also includes sprint and technical races.
Our generation grew up with SUP as a sport – I started when I was 8 – and I think we’ve made the sport faster by pushing the elite racers.”
Key Results:
• Dutch Champion U18 (Sprint & Technical), 2nd Long-Distance U18 2025
• 11th Technical Junior ISA World Championship 2024 (at the age of 12)
• 3rd Technical U15 / 2nd Long-Distance U15 Planet Baltic 2025
• Multiple podiums at open Belgium & German Championships 2024/2025
Marin Hoeboer | Image source: EuroTour
Marin Hoeboer, 15, The Netherlands
Marin Hoeboer from the Netherlands is already making her mark in the world of SUP racing. Known for her precision, consistency and quiet determination, she claimed the 2025 Dutch Champion title in Long Distance (Open Women) and has earned a Top 10 position in this year’s SUP World Long Distance standings.
Marin began paddling at the age of eight and has developed within a structured training environment at KV de Zwetplassers under Joep van Bakel, with additional support from Sup.training. At just 15, she combines discipline and performance with notable maturity.
Her approach is focused and methodical, with a clear commitment to progressing across all disciplines – Long Distance, Technical, and Sprints. With her sights set on firmly establishing herself in the Open Women category, she continues to build toward consistent results at the highest international level, supported by Langusso Paddles Europe.
Marin said:
“Stepping into elite racing has been great. I really love competing, and I think it’s good to start racing early so you can see how all your hard training pays off. It keeps me motivated to keep going.
I feel like competing against each other doesn’t affect our friendship that much. Of course, we battle on the water, but afterwards we congratulate each other and talk about our race together. I also think it’s great to be friends with your competitors – after all, it’s supposed to be fun. There’s no gain in disliking people just because they’re your rivals.
Yes, you will definitely see me at Paddle of the Kempen! It was actually my first international race ever, and I’m really looking forward to it. I like most of the Belgian SUP Tour races – they’re close to home, of course, but more importantly, the vibes are always positive. Everyone is welcome, and I think that’s a very important part of sport.
I do feel like our generation is changing the sport. The previous generation didn’t have the same level of development as we do now. Most people my age started early, like me, and that gives us an advantage. We also learn a lot from the generations before us, which helps us improve faster and more effectively. That’s why younger athletes are reaching higher levels more quickly.”
Key Results:
• Dutch Champion Long Distance (Open Women) 2025
• 1st EuroTour Namur 2025
• Winner Belgian SUP Tour Women 2025
• 2nd Sprint & 3rd Tech U16 The Lake Rocks Festival 2025
Elin van der Sar, 15, The Netherlands
Elin van der Sar from the Netherlands is making a mark on the international SUP scene with impressive technique and racing intelligence. Since starting paddling at age 9, Elin has built a strong presence across EuroTour events, competing simultaneously in junior and elite categories – a demanding yet highly formative path.
With her first ICF World Championship participation ahead, she is steadily building a complete and highly competitive racing profile, backed by sponsors Light Board Corp and Blackfish Paddles.
Elin said:
“This year is my first junior year in the ICF, and yes – it’s another level. I was at the Spring SUP Race, and girls like Sveva, Lisa, and Bianca are next level. But I expected that. So for the next two years, it’s all about competing as much as I can with the world’s best and having fun. I feel like I got stronger after this winter – it just needs to come out in racing.
Last summer I switched to coach Ludo Teulade. Training has now become a mix of sessions alone and with the group. Of course, it’s important to keep training with Sup Kids Makkum because we push each other, but there’s a thin line between training and when training starts to feel like competition. We all need different things, and Ludo helped me this winter to prepare for the upcoming season. Coach Jörg Bossack also supports me with the technical side.
When we see each other at competitions, it’s fun before and after – and of course we cheer for each other. At the Spring race, Marin was really strong in the Long Distance, and I was cheering for her on the water.
Because I want to compete at the ICF Worlds this year, I’m focusing on different races and trying to watch and learn from the best. I’m going to the European SUP League (ESL) stop in Taranto, which is the week after the Paddle of the Kempen. It’s a long drive, so we decided to turn it into a holiday trip. I’ll also be racing the Belgian SUP Tour’s sprint and Long Distance events in September nice preparation for October.
Seeing the level of the girls now in their last junior year or first year in the open class, it’s really high. They’re not holding back. I think our generation is very eager and motivated – you know you have to keep training hard or you won’t stand a chance. But it’s also great to see such a high level. At the same time, it’s important to keep having fun and not forget why you love the sport.”
Key Results:
• 1st U16 EuroTour Düsseldorf
• 1st Overall EuroTour Elite Junior Women
• Multiple podiums in Elite Junior & Elite Women categories
• 1st Open Women Tech & 1st Open Women Sprint (Eckernförde)
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