Planet Baltic bound: Rising Jaroć brothers among the next wave of young SUP talent

Planet Baltic SUP Race has become a magnet for young SUP talent from some of Europe’s leading clubs and development programmes – and among the next generation looking to make the transition from flat water to open-sea racing are the Jaroć brothers.

The 9th edition of Planet Baltic SUP Race returns from 5-8 August in Kołobrzeg, Poland. As the country’s longest-running ocean SUP race and one of the few remaining major sea-racing events in Northern Europe, the event has grown into a key international gathering for the SUP community.

Hailing from the Wojtek Tadla’s Akademia SUP Rogoźno training hub, Kacper (15) and Wiktor (13) Jaroć are quickly making their mark on the Polish SUP racing scene. The brothers have already built an impressive record of podium finishes, including Kacper’s 1st place at the 2026 Polish Long Distance Championships, 2nd place in the Technical Race at the 2025 Polish Championships and 3rd place at Lake the Rocks 2025.

Wiktor has matched that momentum, taking 1st place at the 2026 Polish Long Distance Championships and 1st place at the 2025 Polish Sprint Championships, while also making his international debut at the ICF SUP Junior International Cup in Romania, finishing 5th in the U14 Technical Race.

We catch up with the Jaroć brothers and their Coach, Wojtek, just weeks out from this flagship Polish event, to talk racing, NSP gear, and their ambitions to chase the highest titles in the sport.

Jaroć Bros with their Coach, Wojtek Tadla | Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

Hi Kacper and Wiktor – welcome to TotalSUP! How did you get into competitive side of stand-up paddleboarding?

Kacper:

My SUP journey began around three to four years ago, when I attended my first training session. What I loved most about SUP was the constant opportunity to improve and challenge myself by pushing beyond my own limits.

Wiktor:

I started my SUP journey a little later, about a year after my brother Kacper took his first steps in the sport. My beginnings weren’t easy. My brother and our coach were both so much better than me at first, and that was really discouraging. Because of that, my first year didn’t go very well.

I chose this sport because, when I was younger, I always wanted to do the same things as my brother. I also decided it was time to make a change because I was overweight.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

You paddle together, train together, and compete in the same races. Do you motivate each other more, or is the rivalry between you stronger?

Kacper:

I think we motivate each other more than anything else. Whether it’s during training or at competitions, we always try to support and help one another. In training, we’re constantly pushing each other, which gives us plenty of motivation to work even harder.

Wiktor:

That’s true – we train together and often compete at the same events, although not at every race. Even though we’re from the same club, we’re still competitors on race day. But no matter the result, we always support each other.

Photo by Wojtek Tadla

You’re still very young, but you’ve already gained plenty of racing experience. What have defeats and the more difficult races taught you?

Kacper:

Those “tougher” races can sometimes teach you more than the wins. They are the moments that make you reflect on what didn’t go according to plan during the race and what you need to improve.

Losses should be seen as lessons and as part of the journey towards success. In sport, you can’t win every time.

Wiktor:

I think the races I lost, and the more challenging ones, taught me never to underestimate my opponents. They showed me that you have to keep training if you want to keep up with the best. Most importantly, I learned never to give up and to keep fighting until the very end.

Kacper Jaroć at the European SUP League (ESL) Stop #4 x Odra SUP Cup in Poland | Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

You’ve been riding NSP boards for some time now. What do you like most about the equipment, and how has it helped you develop as athletes?

Kacper:

The board I race on, the NSP Carolina 20.5, stands out for its excellent stability considering its width. It also holds its glide really well. This board helps me take my performance to the next level.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

Wiktor:

Personally, I race on the NSP Cheetah, and I’ve really enjoyed paddling it because I prefer boards with lower rails. I like the NSP boards because they’re lightweight, comfortable, and very stable despite their narrow width. I also really like their colour design.

The equipment has played a big part in helping our club develop. Our club was only founded last year, and with this equipment we’ve already achieved a lot of success this season.

That said, our results aren’t just thanks to the equipment. We also owe a huge amount to our coach, who has taught us everything and supported our development, as well as to Komsport Sp. z o.o. for their support.

Wiktor at the King of the Bay race | Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

Who do you pay the most attention to on the start line? Are there any athletes you look up to or try to learn from?

Kacper:

Generally, I don’t have one specific athlete that I follow or try to learn from. Between my own races, I watch how the top athletes paddle and try to identify what I’m missing in order to match their level and improve my own performance.

Wiktor:

I don’t have any particular athletes that I try to model myself after, but I enjoy watching sprint races and learning from the best by observing the techniques they use. I prefer short-distance and technical races, so that’s where I look for inspiration and ways to improve.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

Where do you see yourselves in a few years? Do you dream of competing at the biggest international SUP events?

Kacper:

Yes, competing at and even standing on the podium at major events such as the World Championships or European Championships is one of my dreams – probably like most people who are passionate about this sport. However, I know that achieving this goal will require a lot more hard work and dedication.

Photo by Wojtek Tadla

Wiktor:

I hope that in a few years I’ll still be racing – you never know where life will take you. But one thing is certain: I’d love to compete at the biggest events in the world, such as the World Championships, the European Championships, and many more.

What would you say to other young people who are thinking about getting into SUP?

Kacper:

SUP is a very versatile sport. It helps us improve our endurance, strength, and coordination, while also bringing a lot of fun and enjoyment. Paddling a SUP board is a great outdoor activity that allows you to spend time in nature while staying active.

Wiktor:

I’m still young myself, so I don’t feel like I’m in a position to give much advice. But one thing I do know is that the beginning is always the hardest. If you want to win, you first have to lose a few times. That doesn’t mean you’re not good enough – if someone else can do it, why can’t you?

You just have to believe in yourself, give it your all, and keep working hard. If you do that, you’ll give yourself the best chance to succeed.

Kacper, we’ll see you competing at the Planet Baltic SUP Race very soon. How are you preparing for the event, and what are your expectations?

Yes, this year will be my first time competing in these events, and it will also be my first race on the ocean. In terms of preparation, I plan to do a few ocean training sessions to get used to the waves and the conditions.

As for my expectations, I want to give my best and show what I can do, despite having limited experience training in the waves.

Photo by Bartek Ciechacki x Wydry z Przylesia

Races on the Baltic Sea often bring a wide range of conditions – from flat water to strong wind and waves. What type of race suits you best?

You never know what the conditions will be like in Kołobrzeg, so I need to be prepared for both flat water and waves. I will definitely feel more confident on flat water because of the training I do on the lake, but I would also like to test myself in the waves.

In chat with Wojtek Tadla, racer and Coach at Akademia SUP Rogoźno:

Hi Wojtek, welcome back to TotalSUP! You’ve been involved in Kacper’s development from the very beginning. What did that journey look like?

Yes, that’s correct. I have been working with the boys for a few years now. When they first came to me, they were young teenagers who were looking for a way to become more active and improve themselves. The journey they went through was a long one – after around three years of consistent work, they really started to make progress and develop as paddlers.

They had to put a lot of trust in me and in the process, and together we built their confidence, skills, and passion for the sport.

The Akademia SUP Rogoźno develops young athletes not only physically but also mentally. What is the Academy’s philosophy, and what do you consider the most important aspect of working with young athletes?

Yes, as the boys’ coach and the club president, I know that I play a part not only in their development as athletes but also, to some extent, in their upbringing and the way they carry themselves.

When working with young athletes, you always have to remember that you can become a role model for them. I try to help the boys become independent, teach them how to make difficult decisions, and develop a sense of responsibility.

I’ll share a small story: once, Wiktor forgot to put the fin on his board. It was the only time it happened, and he only realised after he had already gone out onto the water. I told him that if he had prepared his equipment that way, he still had to complete the training. It was a funny situation, but it taught Wiktor an important lesson – that even the smallest details matter.

What role do equipment and partnerships with brands like NSP play in the development of young athletes?

Equipment is crucial, just like in any other sport – not only water sports. I decided to choose a trusted brand that is also among the best in the world.

Most importantly, the boys were already familiar with the equipment and had the opportunity to choose the boards they wanted to race on themselves. Of course, everyone has their own preferences and ideas when it comes to gear. The equipment was purchased by the municipal company KOMSPORT.

Looking at the bigger picture, how do you see the future of Polish SUP? Do you believe Poland has the potential to produce athletes capable of competing for the top places on the world stage?

Yes, there are always opportunities, but the most important things are the athlete’s discipline and motivation. With the right attitude from both the coach and the athlete, and a commitment to training, anything is possible.

A great example of this is Hania Kamińska and Miłosz Sytnik, who recently won medals in England at the ICF World SUP Cup.

Thank you all for your time and we’re looking forward to seeing you at Planet Baltic!

To find out more about the event and REGISTER, visit planetbaltic.pl

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