Hungary Hosts the First-Ever ECA European SUP Championships – An Exclusive with Csillag Kocsis

This June, from the 12th to the 16th, Szeged, Hungary, will host the inaugural ECA European SUP Championships. Held at the world-renowned kayak-canoe venue, Maty-ér, this event promises thrilling competition for SUP enthusiasts of all levels. Participants can easily rent boards from UnionPaddlers, making it convenient for international athletes flying in. We had the pleasure of interviewing 17-year-old Hungarian talent, world championship medalist Csillag Kocsis, who shared her strategy and excitement as she prepares for this prestigious event.

You began racing just two years ago, transitioning from swimming as a child. In that short time, you’ve already secured significant medals in both junior and open categories, including three world championship medals from Pattaya. How do you feel about this rapid journey?

I traded swimming for SUP racing in 2021. The main reason was the closure of pools and gyms due to COVID. I’m a very competitive person, so I needed something to do! SUP was the perfect choice. After 8 months of training (basically starting from zero), I found myself at a World Cup in Budapest. I had an inflatable board competing against juniors with hard boards, and against all odds, I finished with a silver medal in the long distance. That gave me the final push. From that point to the World Championship silver and bronze medals, it’s been a fantastic journey… and it hasn’t ended yet. These 1.5 years were just the beginning. We planned and built the second year of my SUP career very consciously. Some results worth mentioning are: 2023 Italian Winter Cup, Comacchio 2023 junior tech gold and long-distance silver, Alicante junior tech gold, Alps Trophy Adria Challenge gold in open in both disciplines 2023 and 2024, ISA World Championship 2023 junior tech 5th place, open sprint 7th.

As this is your first international interview, what would you like the global SUP community to know about your journey in the sport? How do you think you’ve ascended to the top tier so quickly? Who has supported you in achieving this?

I have a great support system. Their opinions are very important to me, and they watch my work and progress closely. We always discuss my weekly/monthly training programs and the race calendar for the upcoming months. The main objective is to keep progressing, not just to win trophies. I absolutely trust my parents and my coaches, namely Zsuzsanna Házi, Paolo Marcheselli, and Branislav Sramek.

Competing against both juniors and adults internationally has given you a unique perspective. How does competing across these different levels influence your approach to races?

I started competing in both junior and open categories last year. It helps me understand my current position and realize what I need to do in training to achieve my goals. I even participated in the open men’s category in Hungary this May just to experience their power and speed… and those waves they leave behind.

Reflecting on your achievements, including recent international medals, what have been some of the most challenging moments in your career, and how have they shaped you as an athlete?

It was definitely the ICF World Championship in Poland. The first day we arrived, I got sick from a virus infection. I paddled for five days with the risk of dehydration—the last two days were really tough. Despite this, I finished the long distance in 13th place—my first time on a sea like that. I was very proud and told my parents that after this, nothing would scare me. It’s important to emphasize not only physical but also mental preparation and health. Like everyone else, I’ve had and will have difficult times. But these periods shape us into the best possible versions of ourselves. I’m grateful to my mental trainer, and I feel like I’m in safe hands.

You were voted second for International Female Rookie of the Year 2024 on TotalSUP, only 48 votes behind Claudia Postiglione. One reason for your popularity was your dramatic rescue during the technical final: you fell in shortly after the start, and impressively fought your way back to finish 2nd from 12th place.

It felt really good to be in second place in that vote. But I want to win the races. In Thailand—after my 6th place in the sprint and a bronze medal in the long distance—I was very confident in the tech race. The start was okay, and I was in second place, but after a couple of meters, one of my mates hit the tail of my board with her paddle. The next second, I found myself in the water and in the last position. For a millisecond, I thought about quitting, but that passed quickly—my parents taught me to never give up. So, I got back on my board and started chasing the others. I can’t remember what happened until we watched the video. I only remember thinking: this is my last day at the worlds, and there’s no way I’m leaving without a medal. (see the video here)

What are your expectations for the ECA European SUP Championships, and how do you anticipate they will differ from your previous international experiences?

There will be a junior class only in the long distance, which means I’ll compete with the big names in the open sprint and tech race. I just finished the great LakeRocks Festival 2024 a couple of weeks ago with a 6th place in the long distance behind Espe, Cecilia, and Sousak (not mentioning Juliette and Tarryn because they’re not from Europe). Duna, Alba, and Melanie may be there, and I will race against them in the tech and sprint. My expectations? I want to win in junior long distance and do my best in the other races. I think it’s realistic to aim for around 5-8th position.

How has your training evolved over the years, and what are you focusing on for this championship? How do you adapt your strategy and paddle technique?

My training has changed a lot in the last two years. It’s become much more professional, detailed, and specific. I’m very tall, which is not an advantage in sprints and big waves. I’ve worked a lot on my legs to be more stable, for example. It would be great to go to training camps on the ocean with pro coaches and athletes. That would really help with technique and many other things.

As a rising star in SUP without specific team or brand sponsorship, what qualities or values do you look for in a potential sponsor, and how do you believe they can help advance your career?

It would be great if one of my favourite brands realized that there’s a girl from Hungary with no serious background or opportunities, but still, she’s the 2nd or 3rd best junior female SUP athlete in the world with the potential to be the best. I look forward to any relationship with a sponsor, particularly a competitive board brand or paddle maker. What’s important to me is trust. If they trust in my talent and will, I’ll fight like a samurai no matter what. I need a SUPporter to travel to big events to compete and to attend training camps to develop. I hope someone discovers me this year, and we start a long-term cooperation full of fun and joy but mainly great results.

Looking beyond the ECA Championships, what are your long-term goals in SUP? Are there specific milestones or achievements you are aiming for in the coming years, such as the Olympics?

I hope I can paddle forever. As an international SUP athlete, I want to be a World Champion in junior and open class. If they finally decide to include SUP in the Olympics, that would be a dream come true. I am one of those who will participate in the Games, hopefully.

Szeged 20220903 U23 és IFI VB döntők szurkolók

Finally, what message would you like to leave for kids and young athletes who aspire to achieve the heights you’re aiming for in SUP?

Firstly, you must love what you do. Without that passion, it’s meaningless to train day by day. You have to enjoy the events too; to compete against the best athletes in the world and become one of them—it’s a rare experience.

For more information:

ECA European SUP Championships 2024 on TotalSUP

Event website

Facebook  event

Photos by the courtesy of: Hungarian Canoe Federation and Csillag Kocsis