Patience and Persistence Pay Off – NSP’s Penny Tsaoutou Claims Her 12th ICF World Championship Medal

Based in Volos, Greece, NSP athlete Penny Tsaoutou is one of the most accomplished paddlers in the Women’s 50+ category. A former ski racer and coach, she discovered stand-up paddling in 2018 and quickly turned her passion into international success. Since her first appearance at the ICF World Championships in 2019, she has collected an outstanding twelve medals, including five consecutive world titles. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, Penny continues to inspire with her perseverance, positivity, and love for the sport.

Picture: ICF

Penny, huge congratulations on your impressive results at the ICF SUP World Championships in Abu Dhabi – second place in the Sprint and the win in the Long Distance! How would you describe your overall experience at the event?

Thank you very much! Competing in Abu Dhabi was a fantastic experience. The event offered world-class organization, an incredibly competitive field, and a true global stage for SUP racing. Personally, after such a long journey of recovery and rehab, standing on the podium again felt like a reward for persistence and belief.

The conditions in Abu Dhabi changed significantly throughout the day, the mornings were calm and flat, but later the wind and current picked up, creating more chop and making the races increasingly challenging. How did you adapt your race strategy and pacing to those shifting conditions?

The change in current had a big impact, especially in the Sprint Final. I decided to switch to a different fin to gain more stability, as the wind and current were coming strongly from the left. My start wasn’t ideal, and because my stronger paddling side is the left, I had to switch sides halfway through the course, which cost me some time. My right side is weaker, with a lower cadence, so I lost the small lead I had at the beginning and finished second.

You didn’t take part in the Technical Race this time. Could you share what led to that decision and how you felt watching from the sidelines?

During the last four months leading up to the Worlds, I had been struggling with tendinitis in my right leg, which made it impossible to train properly for the Technical Race and the beach start. Participating would have been a real risk, a minor injury in the Technical heats could have cost me the chance to race in both the Sprint and Long Distance, as the races were scheduled back-to-back. I don’t regret the decision. The two days without racing allowed me to rest and recover, which was crucial – though at the same time, it took me slightly out of rhythm.

Which NSP board did you race on for the Sprint and Long Distance, and what made you choose that specific model for each discipline?

For both the Sprint and the Long Distance, I raced on the NSP Ninja 22’’ 2026, which offers excellent glide, stability, and handling in varying conditions, including chop and current. I really love the Ninja – I feel very comfortable on it, and I truly believe it was the best choice for both disciplines.

You’ve been part of the NSP family for quite some time. What does this partnership mean to you, and how has NSP supported you on your SUP journey?

Being part of the NSP family has been very important to me. Through the importer, Forward The Shop, I receive great support for my equipment needs. More importantly, being part of such a successful and inspiring team means a lot. It motivates me to push myself further, and the sense of community, shared experience, and guidance from the team have been invaluable throughout my SUP journey. I’m truly grateful to be part of the NSP family – their innovation and passion for the sport continue to inspire me every day.

The women’s 50+ category has become increasingly competitive in recent years. Do you feel the overall level of performance is rising, and how has your own training and motivation evolved to keep up with that progress?

Absolutely – the Women’s 50+ category is stronger than ever. Athletes are fitter, more technically skilled, and increasingly dedicated each year. I’m confident that at the next World Championships in Sicily, we’ll see even more participants as it becomes easier for Europeans to attend.

For me, consistency is key. I combine on-water training with gym sessions to build strength, endurance, and stability, and this balanced approach allows me to keep up with the rising level of competition. My motivation comes from a deep love for the sport, the inspiring community around it, and the personal challenge of constantly pushing my own boundaries.

After an outstanding performance in Abu Dhabi, what’s next for you — do you already have goals or events in mind for the upcoming season?

For now, I need to stay out of the water for about two months to properly rehabilitate my leg. It’s a challenge, but I see it as an important step toward coming back stronger. During this time, I’ll focus on rebuilding strength while enjoying some of my favorite winter sports.

If all goes well, I aim to return even more prepared, resilient, and ready to give my best at the next World Championships. Every setback is an opportunity to improve, and I’m determined to make the most of it.

Picture: Uros Kekus Kleva

Follow Penny’s journey on Instagram.

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