Light Board Corp Rider Peter Weidert to defend his Sprint Championship title at the ICF SUP Worlds in Pattaya

“Trust me, I’m an engineer…” and one that definitely rips on the world SUP stage, despite a full time career. TotalSUP caught up with Peter Weidert, two-time ICF World Sprint Champion* and the Light Board Corp Team Rider, to talk about juggling work, training, board testing and design collaboration. We also wanted to find out what’s his take on the latest addition to the brand’s quiver – the LIGHTBOARDCORP®PARADOXA.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

Hi Peter, welcome to TotalSUP! Massive congratulations on the amazing SUP racing season to date! Could you tell us more about your watersport background and how did you get into the sport of stand-up paddleboarding?

I come from Canoe Slalom which I started when I was 15. Then I went to the Dragon Boat racing and later Canoe Sprint racing because many Team Members came from sprint racing. I have now been in the SUP sports for nearly ten years. When we were surfing in Biarritz, my wife saw two paddleboarders gliding over the water and she told me that it looked very beautiful. A year later we had our own board and started with wave SUP and later moved into flat water racing at The Lost Mills. Now I am two time World Sprint Champion in the 40+ and 50+ category,  three time German SUP Champion in the Sprints Open Class, and I have some podiums in the Tech and Long Distance at the Worlds and Championships.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

What’s your take on the current SUP racing scene and the progression of our sport?

The racing scene is on fire, many young paddlers participate in the races and that’s great. One of the big points is the planning for the Olympic programme. I see a way over with the International Canoe Association. Another way could be through The International Surfing Association (ISA). In my opinion, the best way for the sport would be with the International Canoe Federation as there are existing structures, in canoe clubs and the national Canoe federation. It’s my observation, being based in Germany.

Based on your observations, what are the areas for improvement?

That all associations and federations talk together and do one World Championships, maybe flat water with the ICF and ocean racing through ISA but with one race plan for the year.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

You’ve been dominating podiums race on race… What’s your secret in terms of training, preparations and staying injury free?

I’ve been in watersports and training for nearly forty years, so I know what I do and I listen to my body. Because I am full time Engineer working 40+ hours per week, I have to be effective with essential training. I would do more, but a day has only 24 hours.

Photo by Georgia Schofield | ICF SUP Worlds 2022

What’s your favourite SUP racing format and why?

I like all kind of racing. But the 200m point to point is my most successful format. It’s fast! Long distance is my second favourite race format. But I think for the Olympics, the tech race would be the most successful format.

Could you share your top 3 moments of your SUP racing experience so far?

The 2021 ICF World SUP Championships in Hungary and the World SUP Champion title in Sprints Master 40+ division (1st World Champion). The 2022 ICF World SUP Championships in Gdynia, Poland and the World SUP Championship title in Sprints (Master 50+ division). And then, it was not a SUP race but Dragon Boat racing and the first time we won the World Championships with our Team.

Photo by Georgia Schofield | ICF SUP Worlds 2022

Could you tell us more about your collaboration with Light Board Corp?

I’ve done many tests, I’m an engineer 😊 I think I had some good ideas and findings in the board development process. Gerd Weisner and I have tested and talked a lot about it at our Club – Ski- und Kanu-Gesellschaft Hanau.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

As an engineer, what are the key things you focus on board development?

To optimise the glide and speed of the board.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

You’ve already competed on the new LIGHTBOARDCORP® PARADOXA. What do you think?

It’s a great board, very stable, through the low stance. Very fast in top speed with a great acceleration. The prepreg carbon sandwich hollow body the state of the art.

Peter Weidert on the blue PARADOXA model | Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

Why does PARADOXA work for you?

The early glide moment and deep stance on waterline.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

What’s in the event pipeline?

The ICF SUP World Championships in Thailand.

Photo by Andy Klotz Photography

Thank you for your time Peter und vielen gluck in Pattaya!

Peter’s achievements to date and Light Board Corp board set up: 

2023
2nd place SUPALOT Long distance – LIGHT Paradoxa 14´ x 23″
1st place SUPALOT Short distance – LIGHT Paradoxa 14´ x 23″
3rd place LAGO DI ALPI Long distance – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″
3rd place SUP Alps Trophy overall – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″
1st place German Championship Masters Sprint – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″
1st place German Championship Masters Tech – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″
1st place German Championship Masters LD – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″

2022
3rd place LD ICF Prague – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″
1st place GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINT  – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22.2″
1st place SUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MASTERS 50 SPRINT – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22″
3rd place SUP WORLDCHAMPIONSHIP MASTERS 50 TECH – LIGHT SIGNATURE 14´x 23″

2021
1st place SUP WORLDCHAMPIONSHIP MASTERS 40 SPRINT – LIGHT SIGNATURE 14´x 23″
​2nd place SUP WORLDCHAMPIONSHIP MASTERS 40 TECH – LIGHT SIGNATURE 14´x 23″
2nd place GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP LONG DISTANCE – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22.2″
1st place GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP SPRINT – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22.2″
3rd place GERMAN CHAMPIONSHIP TECH – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22.22
2nd place SUP ALPS TROPHY OVERALL – LIGHT MANTRA 14´x 22.2″

To find out more about LIGHTBOARDCORP® designs, visit lightboardcorp.com  and check out our interview with Gerd Weisner

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