“Freaking fast and stable” – Benyam Bossack’s go-to weapon: The Light Board Corp PARADOXA

As the Light Board Corp Team takes on the 2026 Paddle Worldwide SUP Championships (formerly the ICF World SUP Championships) in Sabaudia this week – 14-18 October – we look at the remarkable rise of one of the sport’s most exciting young talents: Benyam Bossack. Since joining the ‘Light Riders’ at just 15 years old, the Dutch athlete has been on an impressive upward trajectory, building on a breakout season marked by multiple podium finishes in the Open category and establishing himself as a leading, one-to-watch elite athlete on the international stage.

Fresh off claiming the Long Distance European Championship title at the 2026 Paddle Europe Stand Up Paddling Championships in Greece this September, Benyam arrives in Sabaudia with momentum firmly on his side.

Gerd Weisner said: “Benyam has risen to the international elite of SUP paddling over the past two seasons, achieving a groundbreaking top-10 finish in the Open at The Lake Rocks and taking third place in the Tech race in 2024. With every race, he continues to gain confidence and develop his skills.

He has followed his own path to success without too much pressure, thanks to Jörg Bossack of SUPkids Makkum, who is both his father and coach and has kept him happy, motivated and hungry for more. Winning the European Junior Championships was another incredible achievement at the highest international level.

His training ground back home offers all kinds of water conditions, and despite his young age, Benyam is already one of the paddlers I enjoy talking to when it comes to product development. He has a great feel for the water and his board, which is a big part of his strength.

He has proven that the PARADOXA is a board capable of competing in all conditions, from the open water of Greece to the Baltic Sea, and taking wins along the way.
I’m excited to see him racing at the World Championships in Italy.”

Photo by Szymon Sikora x Robert Hajduk

As the full Light Board Corp race quiver prepares to hit the start lines at the 2026 PW SUP Championships in Sabaudia, we chat with Benyam Bossack about his weapon of choice: the PARADOXA.

His trusted setup since the very beginning, the Light Board Corp PARADOXA has been developed with a focus on speed and stability, combining a radical new low-centre deck stance positioned below the waterline. Its redesigned tail shape, featuring a wider tail block with tapered thickness, enhances stability and makes turning easier. Hard tail edges ensure clean water release with minimal interference, while the sleek V-round nose shape reduces drag.

As the full Light Board Corp race quiver prepares to hit the start lines at the 2026 PW SUP Championships in Sabaudia, we chat with Benyam Bossack about his weapon of choice: the PARADOXA and the key design principles behind his go-to setup since the very beginning: speed and stability.

Developed to deliver both, the Light Board Corp PARADOXA features a radical low-centre deck stance positioned below the waterline. Its redesigned tail, with a wider tail block and tapered thickness, enhances stability and makes turning easier. Hard tail edges ensure clean water release with minimal interference, while the sleek V-round nose shape reduces drag.

Benyam’s trusted board helped power him to Bronze in the Open Men’s Technical Race at the 2025 ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi. As he’s set for another world-class challenge, we take a closer look at how the PARADOXA’s key design features combine to deliver speed, stability and performance across a range of water conditions on the racecourse.

Image source: 2026 Agios Nikolaos on SUP

Hi Benyam, welcome back to TotalSUP and congratulations on an amazing season! You’ve been using the Light Board Corp PARADOXA throughout – what makes it your weapon of choice for all conditions and what gives you the confidence to choose it whether you’re racing on flat water or in challenging open-water conditions?

I have heard a lot of people saying that the PARADOXA is a 100% flatwater board. I definitely do not agree! It is very easy to handle in many conditions besides pure flatwater. I used it at the European Championship, as well as at Planet Baltic in Poland and several other races in open water.

I am so used to this board that it really fits me like a glove! The board is easy to handle in medium waves because of its stability. With its four drainage holes, incoming water drains off the board pretty fast. And even in the Atlantic Ocean swell, I have done some good surfing with my PARADOXA.

2026 Agios Nikolaos on SUP | Photo by Alex Macheras

You’ve just won the European title in some really demanding open-water conditions. What was the race like from your perspective and how important was stability of the board for you in those conditions?

The race was tough, but very nice. I had a good start and was able to escape my Italian friends (Serde, Gianluca and Matteo). The race was tough because we had wind coming from all sides. In the first part, we had a side-backwind. The PARADOXA has a sharp nose, so it cuts through the waves, making it easy to hold your course and keeping the board stable. I really enjoyed the first part!

After the bridge at the 5 km mark, I managed to break away and did the rest of the race on my own. I had a great time downwinding and later on working my way against the wind and waves.

In all conditions, the PARADOXA is more stable than you might think. Good stability is one of the most important features of a board because it allows you to focus on what really matters: paddling.

2026 Agios Nikolaos on SUP | Photo by Alex Macheras

As you mentioned, stability and the way a board handles side bumps and messy water are key factors for paddlers. What do you see as the main advantages of the PARADOXA in these conditions?

The sharp nose keeps the board very stable, which is essential in messy water. The underside of the board is also flat, and its low stance in the water helps make it even more stable.

Anyone can paddle on flat water, but messy water is something completely different!

Benyam Bossack charges through the swell in his yellow race vest at the Planet Baltic SUP Race as he battles to defend his MVP title | Photo by Szymon Sikora x Robert Hajduk

Did you feel the board gave you the confidence to stay relaxed and focused when conditions became challenging?

Definitely, I had a lot of fun and was not distracted at all. Just enjoying the ride!

Photo by Szymon Sikora x Robert Hajduk

What do you notice most about the board when you’re paddling downwind?

I feel that with the PARADOXA, it is very easy to catch the bumps and swell, mainly because of its shape. In autumn and winter, we get good waves at home as well, so whenever possible, I try to get out on the water and play!

If you had to describe the board to another paddler in just a few words, what would you say?

Freaking fast and surprisingly stable, and of course the lightest race board available.

Photo by Andy Klotz

Thank you Benyam for the chat – have an epic time in Italy!

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