Karate Champ turns SUP Challenger: Théo Czapla’s Lake Geneva Crossing with Indiana

When Swiss-based brand Indiana Paddle & Surf Co. – renowned for premium boards, foils, and SUP equipment – backs a watersports first, you know it means business. The brand supports an impressive roster of record-breaking athletes and bold adventurers, from alpine lake climbs and marathon pump-foiling feats – like Jérôme Baudoux and Nicolas Iten’s pump-foiling records – to daring stunts such as Sam Garthwaite conquering the Falls of Bruar on a stand-up paddleboard. Their reach even extends to mountain climbing expeditions, like Christo Foerster’s SUP adventure, where he carried his paddleboard in a backpack to scale a peak.

Photo by Picsbymani

Indiana is now supporting Théo Czapla, 21, from Geneva, Switzerland, in his ambitious quest to cross Lake Geneva by SUP – aiming to set a time record*. A three-time French karate champion, Théo has since channelled his elite athletic background into his work as a personal trainer.

After years of pushing his limits on the tatami, in competitions, and even on the Ninja Warrior obstacle course, Théo discovered stand-up paddleboarding in the simplest way: a sunny outing, an inflatable board, and an unexpected feeling of freedom.

What began as a hobby gradually ignited the same drive that shaped his athletic journey, sparking a new ambition—to cross Lake Geneva by SUP. What started as a simple idea has grown into a personal quest to see just how far he can push himself.

Théo’s story mirrors that of many paddlers: what begins as a simple moment of freedom on the water soon reveals the incredible versatility of SUP. The more time we spend on a board, the more the sport evolves with us – opening doors to go faster, farther, and tackle challenges we never imagined at the start. Sooner or later, SUP invites all of us to explore our limits, whether we’re chasing gnarlier conditions, pushing speed, or taking on personal quests like Théo’s Lake Geneva crossing.

Photo by Picsbymani

Hello Théo, welcome to TotalSUP! What inspired you to take on the challenge of crossing Lake Geneva by paddle?

The year 2026 is about to begin, and I asked myself a simple question: what do I really want to accomplish? Since I was a child, I’ve had this somewhat crazy dream of having a world record in my name. A dream we keep in mind, a little secret, but one that never really leaves us.

Then there’s my life today: I work in Geneva, Switzerland, with the luck of seeing the largest lake in Europe every day. Lake Geneva is immense, fascinating, almost alive. For those living here, it holds a special place: it’s a symbol, a landmark, a place full of history.

Very quickly, the idea became obvious. If I were to embark on an extraordinary challenge, it would be here. On this lake. Where the water stretches as far as the eye can see, where conditions can change in an instant, and where no one has yet completed such a crossing on a SUP.

The grandeur of Lake Geneva, the attachment people have to it, and my desire to do something no one has ever done before… all of this naturally pushed me toward this challenge. It was the right moment. The perfect location. And a childhood dream finally taking shape.

Did you already have much experience in stand-up paddle before this challenge?

To be completely honest, SUP came very late in my life. It’s not a sport I grew up with, and I am far from considering myself an expert. But that’s precisely what makes it so special for me. I had to discover everything, learn everything, almost from scratch.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by passionate and experienced people who truly master this world. Their expertise inspires me, guides me, and reminds me every day how rich and demanding this sport is. I know I still have a lot to learn, a lot to improve, and that’s exactly what motivates me.

This feeling of being a small player in an immense world, with an entire field of skills to explore, pushes me to go even further. This challenge on Lake Geneva is not only a physical performance: it’s also a learning adventure, a journey into a terrain I discover with each outing.

Photo by Picsbymani

As a sports coach and Ninja Warrior participant, how do you think your background will help you tackle the SUP crossing?

I come from high-level sports. My titles in karate, years of intensive training, and my Ninja Warrior experience taught me one essential thing: high-level performance is not only about talent, it’s about discipline. About the ability to put everything in place to achieve a goal that initially seems almost impossible.

This culture of rigor has been built over the years. Today, it is part of me. And it gives me a valuable advantage for a challenge like crossing Lake Geneva.

I also have a dual role that helps me greatly: that of athlete… and that of coach. As a personal trainer, I know how to analyse a goal, create a strategy, plan progress, and optimize every session. I can adjust my training as I would for an athlete I coach: with precision, methodology, and efficiency. All my past experiences on the tatami, on the Ninja Warrior obstacles, and in my daily work are assets I carry with me in this adventure. And I am convinced they will make a difference when I am alone on the SUP, in the middle of the lake, facing myself.

What are the biggest challenges you expect during the crossing?

During this crossing, I know I will face two types of challenges: those I can control… and those I cannot. The controllable challenges mainly involve fatigue and muscular endurance. Repeating the same movement over and over for hours, with maximum efficiency, will be a real test. Hydration and nutrition must also be perfectly planned: every moment must be anticipated to never run out of energy. These obstacles can be prepared for in training, pushed back as much as possible, even though I know they will eventually appear.

The uncontrollable challenges mostly concern the weather. Even by choosing the most favourable window, wind, rain, or waves can arise at any moment and make the crossing much more difficult. I will then need patience, resilience, and adaptability, staying focused on the goal despite changing conditions. This crossing will certainly be tough, I am aware.

But my approach is simple: be as prepared as possible in training so that when the time comes, the challenge is as manageable as possible. It’s all about preparation, mental strength… and the ability to surpass oneself.

How have you adapted your training to include specific paddle skills and develop endurance?

This winter, my training focuses mainly on strength training and cardio, on land. Even in cold weather, I regularly train on the lake in SUP, as staying in contact with the water and the board is essential for progress. Strength training focuses on exercises specific to the upper body: pulling, core work, stability.

The goal is to make my muscles both stronger and more enduring, capable of repeating paddle movements for hours without losing efficiency. When the weather warms up, training moves mainly to the lake. I gradually work on the distances of the crossing, simulating real conditions and getting my body used to maintaining high intensity throughout the race.

Every session, every stroke, every effort is designed to prepare the body and mind for the challenge: a long and demanding crossing where only precise and constant preparation allows one to stay performant until the end.

Photo by Picsbymani

Is there a particular cause or message behind your record attempt that motivates you?

This crossing is above all a personal adventure, but it also aims to inspire others. The message I want to convey is simple: with a bit of craziness and a lot of work, extraordinary things can be achieved.

I want this adventure to be seen by as many people as possible and to particularly impact young people. To show them that there is no age limit to achieving feats, and that the only limits are those imposed by others or ourselves.

If I had to summarize all this in one word, it would be ‘dare’. No one knows in advance if it will succeed, but there is only one way to find out: take the leap and embrace the adventure.

Photo by Picsbymani

Can you talk about your collaboration with Indiana Paddle and Surf and how their equipment supports you in crossing Lake Geneva?

Indiana Paddle and Surf is my partner for this crossing, and it’s much more than just a collaboration. It’s a Swiss brand recognised for the quality and performance of its equipment, and I am lucky to have them by my side in this adventure.
With their 14×25 Open Water Race Carbon board, I have equipment designed for performance, precise and reliable, capable of supporting me throughout the crossing.

But Indiana is not just a material partner: they are also a technical partner. Surrounded by high-level SUP athletes, the brand allows me to benefit from their advice and experience, a real asset for this challenge.

Working with them is an honour and a true strength in my conquest of Lake Geneva. Their support allows me to fully focus on performance and every stroke, confident that my equipment and technical guidance are up to the level of the record I am pursuing.

Photo by Picsbymani

When and from where will your SUP crossing attempt of Lake Geneva take place?

The attempt will take place in September 2026, departing from Villeneuve to reach Geneva. This crossing, approximately 65 km long, is much more than a simple sporting challenge: it is filmed, certified, and broadcast so that as many people as possible can follow it.

On that day, the goal is to create a real event, combining sport, performance, and nature. Beyond the record, I want this crossing to become a moment of sharing and inspiration, where everyone can experience the beauty of the lake, the intensity of the effort, and the magic of a human and sporting adventure beyond the ordinary.

Photo by Picsbymani

*Théo is aiming to cross Lake Geneva in under 8 hours and 40 minutes – the unofficial benchmark set by Jean-Luc Malfroid back in 2013. 

**Théo is currently looking for sponsors and brand partners to help support this project. The goal is to produce a documentary of the Lake Geneva crossing to share the journey with a broader audience.

To find out more about Indiana Paddle & Surf, visit  Indiana Paddle & Surf

Follow Indiana on social media: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube 

Follow Théo Czapla on Instagram

***Images courtesy of Théo Czapla