European SUP League stop #4 lands at Odra SUP Cup – Mariusz Miczek on a key moment for Polish racing

Now in its 7th edition, the Odra SUP Cup has established itself as one of Poland’s leading SUP races, and in 2026 the event takes another major step forward by officially joining the European SUP League (ESL) calendar as Stop #4 of the season. Taking place from 26 – 28 June 2026, the event will also count towards both the European and Polish SUP Cup rankings, strengthening its position as one of the key events in Central European SUP racing.

Bringing together racers, clubs, brands, local communities, and paddling enthusiasts in one shared SUP celebration, the event will also showcase the continued growth and rising international presence of the Polish SUP scene.

Ahead of the competition, we caught up with organiser Mariusz Miczek, Coach and President of RTW Racibórz SUP Club, to discuss the significance of the ESL partnership, the rise of young Polish talent, and his long-term vision for the sport.

“For us, the most important thing is the people behind these events – friends who understand what it takes to bring together the best teams in the world,” says Mariusz. “People with passion, who truly care about professional racing. The European SUP League is creating a very strong foundation with real passion, and I believe it will lead to great success in the future.”

Mariusz Miczek with Mario Tagarelli of SUP Academy Taranto, at the World SUP Festival – ESL Stop #1 in Santa Pola

As Head Coach of one of Poland’s leading junior SUP programmes, Mariusz believes the growing level of youth racing is one of the most exciting developments in the sport today.

“It’s not only about the event itself, but about the community around it,” he explains. “Young athletes love good racing, and we can already see the level rising incredibly fast. Just look at the U14, U16 and Junior races – for me, it’s already poetry. In two years, the level will be so high that this generation of young paddlers will be shaping the world stage.”

Odra SUP Cup

This year’s event takes place in Rybnik, a venue Mariusz believes offers ideal conditions for both racing and community gathering.

“Rybnik has everything in one place – the beach, facilities, parking, large water area and excellent connections from Kraków, Wrocław and Katowice airports,” he says. “The atmosphere there is special. It creates the perfect environment for an event like this.”

The Odra SUP Cup is also part of the Polish SUP Cup series, which Mariusz says is helping create a more organised and transparent national structure for the sport.

“I think Polish SUP is becoming more structured because the Polish Surfing Federation has worked hard to create clearer rules and regulations,” he explains. “Creating the Polish Cup series is also a challenge, but what makes me happiest is seeing clubs working with youth athletes doing such great work – in Kraków, Warsaw, Rogoźno and Poznań. That’s where the real future is.”

Odra SUP Cup

Despite the increasing professionalism of SUP racing, Mariusz still sees balance as essential to the sport’s long-term growth.

“Right now, we need to combine professional racing with recreation and fun for local communities and paddlers,” he says. “In the future, I think the biggest events will either become fully professional or evolve into large festivals with separate Pro and Fun divisions. But today, building community remains the priority.”

That vision of unity and collaboration is something Mariusz repeatedly returns to throughout the conversation.

“More than anything, I want to build a strong community,” he says. “I dream of people shaking hands, working together and creating one shared scene. We have fantastic groups in Kraków, Warsaw and Rogoźno, and we warmly invite everyone to help build this event together.”

When asked what qualities define the strongest young Polish paddlers today, his answer is immediate: “Hard work and passion.”

Location, location: Explore Rybnik in southern Poland

Event highlights include:

• Three days of racing, community activities, wellness, and festival atmosphere on the shores of Rybnik
• Technical Race qualifiers and finals featuring Europe’s leading SUP athletes
• High-intensity Sprint 200m racing delivering explosive head-to-head action
• 5 km Fun Race open to recreational paddlers and newcomers wanting to experience race atmosphere
• Dragon Race team competition – one of the event’s most anticipated and inclusive highlights

Community & festival experience

• Open festival village running throughout the weekend
• Exhibitors showcasing the latest SUP equipment and brands
• Equipment demos and on-water test opportunities for all levels
• Workshops, community activities, and beginner-friendly sessions
• SUP Yoga sessions each morning combining wellness and paddling lifestyle
• Relaxation zone including lakeside sauna experience

Find out more and register for the event here 

To find out more about European SUP League (ESL), visit europeansupleague.com

Follow ESL on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Follow Maria Laura Metta and SUP Academy Taranto on Instagram

European SUP Tour Calendar 2026:

• Switzerland – Zurich | June 19–21
• Poland – Racibórz | June 26–28
• Spain – Huelva | September 5–6
• Portugal – Sesimbra | September 11–13

Follow Mariusz Miczek, Odra SUP Cup and RTW Racibórz on Instagram

*Images courtesy of ODRA SUP CUP