Steering Towards the SUP Future: Donato Freens is Black Project’s Athlete on a Mission

“One race and one day at a time”, that’s the journey to becoming one of the best in the sport. For Donato Freens, taking a break from social media before the final event might seem like a carefully planned strategy – or simply time to recharge away from the spotlight. Either way, “the grind continues”, and when it comes to competitive drive, few match the hunger and intensity of Black Project SUP and Infinity Team Rider Donato Freens, 12-time Dutch SUP Champion and ISA U18 Vice World Champion.

We can’t wait to see how the ICF Worlds will play out, with epic battles surely on the horizon. We spoke with Donato to explore his racing and training philosophy, as well as his insights on the sport’s growth and the future potential that directly impacts a pro athlete’s career progression.

Photo by Si Crowther

Hi Donato, congratulations on your amazing season to date! What have been the key factors behind your success, and what lessons have you learned along the way?

Thanks! The key factors have been a combination of rigorous training provided by my dad and learning from each competition. I’ve realized the importance of adaptability—every race presents unique challenges, and being able to adjust my strategy has been crucial. I’ve also learned to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Sometimes a humbling race experience is needed to be sharp again.

Photo courtesy of Black Project SUP

We’d like to talk about you being a part of the Black Project squad which you’ve recently joined and made an immediate impact. How does it feel to be part of Black Project, and what do you hope to/are already bringing to the table?

Being a part of the Black Project team for the past 3 years has been an incredible experience! I’m part of a family that shares the same passion for stand-up paddling and striving to be better. I hope to bring my competitive spirit and insights from my experiences on the water to help the team innovate and push boundaries together. Together with Seychelle, Arthur Arutkin, Blue Ewer and Bastian Grimm we’ll design world class paddles and fins for those who want to get fast.

Photo by Si Crowther

Chris Freeman (Black Project Boss) mentioned your proactive role in the product development space. Could you share more about your involvement in that process and how your performance insights are influencing new product designs?

I’ve been involved in discussions about gear performance and how we can improve our paddles and fins. My experiences during competitions provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t and giving feedback during my training sessions. Collaborating closely with the design team, I can help ensure that our products meet the demands of high-performance athletes by testing the gear to the limit. When testing we typically switch out single variables and give feedback as fast as possible. This gives Chris Freeman more insights on how to improve, ensuring customers get the fastest and lightest gear.

From left: Donato Freens, Blue Ewer, Ginnie Betts and Arthur Arutkin | Photo courtesy of Black Project SUP

Do you see yourself taking on more of a leadership role in product development or other areas?

Although I am still pretty young at 19 years old, I do think that I have gained quite a bit of knowledge about what I think works in terms of product features. Over the many years I have not only developed myself physically and mentally as an athlete, I have also spent a lot of time finetuning my equipment, and gained an understanding of what gear and characteristics thereof work for what types of paddling and conditions.

Chris at Black Project has given me the opportunity to directly influence the characteristics of the products that are being developed, and I am very honoured to have been part of this process alongside my seasoned teammates Arthur, Seychelle and Blue.

Going forward, I definitely would like to see myself expanding my role and influence, especially in product development and overall product marketing. I’m passionate about contributing my knowledge and helping guide the direction of our gear to better serve the needs of all paddlers.

Photo by Si Crowther

What are you personally looking for in high-performance paddles and fins?

I prioritize lightweight, durable materials that enhance my speed and control. Paddles with a balanced flex and fins that provide excellent stability and manoeuvrability are crucial. I also look for gear that feels comfortable and intuitive in the water. For paddles I look for a smooth entry that has a good grip and is stable during my stroke. Each year our team makes adjustment in material.

Photo by Si Crowther

What’s your go-to Black Project gear set up?

My go-to setup includes the Black Project paddles and fins tailored to my style and the conditions I’m racing in. There are other factors such as what board I choose but in general I use the Hydro SynergyX and the Condor for most of my races. I would typically change my paddle to Hydro SprintX when I am sprinting. As for my favourite fin, I love the loose feel the Black Project Condor gives to the board making it malleable and fun to ride with. I love the versatility and performance of the paddles—they really help me find my rhythm on the water.

Balancing elite competition with academic studies is no small feat. How do you manage both?

It’s definitely a challenge, but I try to maintain a structured schedule. Prioritizing my time and staying organized helps me balance training, competitions, and my academic responsibilities. It’s all about finding that synergy between my passions. As I am studying at the Johan Cruyff Academy, the school plans my studies around my sport and makes an incredible effort to help me pursuit my sports career.

Photo by Si Crowther

Is there a connection between your academic studies and your potential, future career in the SUP industry?

Yes! I am studying Sport Marketing and Commercial Economics at an institution which has been solely established to provide top level athletes the opportunity to combine their sports career while pursuing an academic education. It’s been such a good fit for me to combine what I learn on the water, with academic knowledge and exposure to sports related opportunities that I am confident that I will be able transition into a sports related profession after my SUP career.

What excites you the most about the future, both in terms of competition and your contributions to stand-up paddling’s development off the water?

That’s a great question. At the end of the day, I just want to show up at top level competitions and be in the mix for the win. It excites me to be a little bit better each and every race, and to get back on my feet and dust myself off after a race that did not go like I think it should have. Stand-up paddling is such a diverse sport, we paddle various distances, in various course formats, on different types of waters and general conditions, that there is so much to learn and get better at, one race and one day at a time. That’s what makes paddling exciting and fun to do, and I will give it my all to become one of the best in the industry.

I am hopeful that stand-up paddling as a professional sport will gain more traction in the public eye. Athletes like me need a more sustainable model in order to pursue a worthy professional career. Some iconic events have fallen off the calendar and that is a pity, but I am also hopeful as I see other mass participation events taking off.

The missing link is public awareness. If we can get some more airtime on sport networks or national tv programs, and create local heroes, I think we can elevate recognition for our sport. That will attract funding so that athletes can pursue a career in the sport and events can be put on.

When and where I can, as key representative of our sport in the Netherlands, I try to promote our sport and create understanding and recognition. It’s not an easy feat, but during my public appearance I try to inform key stakeholders about the beauty of our sport and how it can contribute to their goals. Winning titles and making national headlines will surely help.

Photo by Infinity SUP Nordic | Morten Bruhn 

Thank you for your time time Donato and good luck with all your future plans!

To learn more about Black Project visit blackprojectsup.com

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