As the ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championships make a grand return to Copenhagen from September 16 to 22, excitement is palpable among the stand-up paddle community. This year’s event will feature the inclusive Copenhagen SUP race on the 21st, set against the stunning backdrop of Copenhagen’s historical canals. We catch up with Danish superstar Casper Steinfath, the six-time world champion and a true pioneer of the sport over the last 15 years. Known for his exceptional performances and unwavering passion, Casper is preparing for what will be his final competitive appearance with Team Denmark. After stepping away from the athlete’s spotlight to lend his voice as a commentator last year in Les Sables d’Olonne, Casper is now ready for his “last dance” on the water. Alongside his SUP career, Casper has embraced new professional endeavors in public speaking and adventure projects while navigating the joys and challenges of fatherhood. In our interview, he reflects on his journey, the upcoming event, and his evolving role in the world of SUP.
Hi Casper, it’s great to catch up with you! How have you been since we last worked together at the 2023 ISA Worlds in France?
Hey Mathieu! Things have been great since we last saw each other—quite intense, actually! I’ve mainly been focusing on future projects and expeditions while trying to get on the water as much as I can. Whenever the wind is strong enough, I try to do foil downwinders since that’s part of a big project I’m currently working on. On the side, I’ve also been exploring public speaking and improving my storytelling skills. I dream of using my stories of athleticism and adventure to inspire and help both young and old minds see new perspectives in the world we live in.
You’re now a father! How has life changed for you since becoming a dad, and how are you balancing it with your athletic and professional career?
Life sure has changed a lot. My wife and I sometimes talk about this, and we’re still adjusting as a family. Both of us are quite independent and enjoy the freedom to go and do adventurous things in our lives—and there’s just no getting around the fact that a child changes some things. Of course, having a child is its own adventure, and it’s so much fun to be a dad. I’m slowly starting to feel like I’m getting the hang of this parenthood thing. Last month, my wife was in Austria for a week, and being at home with our son by myself went really well—that was definitely a confidence booster, knowing that, wow, I can actually do this. Being a parent has also meant I’ve had to introduce more structure to my work life. I used to work whenever I wanted, but now, it just makes more sense to try to be home at certain times, to put my phone away, and to take time off at certain times. That’s totally new for me.
The ISA Worlds are returning to Denmark, your home country, in just a few weeks. As the pioneering SUP racer who put Denmark on the stand-up paddle world map, what emotions are running through you as you prepare to host a 2nd ISA World Championships and the 3rd major international event since 2017?
I’m surprised to feel quite content and calm about the upcoming World Championships. I thought I would feel like I needed to be a major player in this huge event, but it feels right for me to just be part of the event as a whole, without having too much skin in the game myself.
My drive to win championships just isn’t there anymore—sometimes I wish it was. But there are other things, like adventure projects, that get my blood flowing these days. Instead, I’m super excited to watch some of the young up-and-comers compete at the championships—like Polar Bear. He’s really strong at the moment and just kicked my butt last weekend at the Danish Championships. I’ve known Polar Bear since he was a little cub, and I’m super proud of him.
So, I’m stoked to be at the World Championships—and I’m particularly excited about being able to just be present and enjoy the whole event. I do plan to participate in the team relay event, which is sort of a symbolic “farewell” to SUP racing for me. I think it will be emotional for me.
How do you think this year’s ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championship will differ from the 2017 edition, which also took place in Denmark? Any specific changes in location, organization, or atmosphere that stand out to you?
Compared to 2017, the whole event takes place in Copenhagen, and that’s pretty exciting, just based on the event site and the number of spectators that I believe will be there. It also means that the tech race will have fewer waves and the chaos element that I personally love won’t be there as much. I will also miss all the lovely SUP surfing characters. But there are major upsides as well. Copenhagen is a major SUP hub, so I expect the atmosphere will be amazing.
A major highlight of the week of events will be the Copenhagen SUP race on September 21st, an inclusive event for all paddlers, set on the historical canals of central Copenhagen and offering 3 possible courses to participants. What would you say to paddlers who haven’t registered yet?
DO IT! Taking boat tours in the canals of Copenhagen is a must for all tourists coming to Denmark—here you can see most of our historical sites, and it’s the best way to experience the city (sort of like paddling the Seine in Paris). So being able to do this on a SUP is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
As the ambassador for this year’s event, can you share what your role will involve and how you’ll be engaging with the participants and fans?
My role will be to be present and hands-on when it comes to the different events—to be there on the beach, talking to people, getting a take on their experiences. I will also be hosting social events as part of the festivities, and not least, a talk story session with some of the “old” guard paddlers where we dive down memory lane. Expect to see me all over during the week, and please come over and say hi. My goal is to be present and enjoy the event as much as I can.
You made a surprising comeback recently by competing in the Danish National Championships and finishing 2nd overall. When was the last time you raced before this, and how did it feel to be back on the competitive scene?
Haha, I guess you could call it a competitive comeback, although not so much when looking at my current performance level. The last time I really competed was in Paris in 2019—I know, a LONG time ago. After that event, where I won my last world title, I was hit by a major case of burnout, which I guess I’m still trying to work through. This was the first event since 2019 where I actually felt excited to race. Of course, I also knew that I hadn’t done the proper training and that Polar Bear was stronger than me. So I didn’t feel the same pressure to perform that I had been used to for many years—and that was quite liberating.
Many in the SUP community assumed you had quietly retired, but your recent participation has sparked curiosity. Are you officially back in competitive racing, or was this a one-off event? Will you be competing in Copenhagen?
I don’t believe I will ever really come back to racing. My drive just isn’t there anymore… Instead, I’m excited by adventure projects—that’s where my motivation lies. Who knows what the future holds, but that’s how I feel at the moment. In Copenhagen, as I mentioned, I will only be competing in the team relay event. I guess we can call this my official competitive retirement. But then again, I love following the SUP sport, and I don’t think I will ever truly disappear from it entirely.
Looking ahead, what are your professional plans now? Are there other projects and goals you’re focusing on?
My professional plans mostly involve projects, expeditions, public speaking, and such, but I’m still doing some soul searching to figure out what I really want to spend my time doing. It can be difficult, after 10 years of just racing, to figure out what moves and drives you. In that sense, the burnout is still lingering and having its effects for sure. It has also been an identity change for me— for a long time, I saw myself as a competitive racer—now I have to really figure out who I am and who I want to be. It’s exciting, but also anxiety-provoking.
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