Inside Planet Baltic SUP Race 2026: Kjell De Bruyn clinics, championship racing & a growing international community

With just a few months to go, major announcements have already been made for the 9th edition of Planet Baltic SUP Race, set to take place 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, Planet Baltic SUP Race has grown into a truly international gathering for the SUP community.

Each year, the Baltic coast welcomes an increasingly diverse field of athletes, with paddlers from across Europe and beyond confirming their participation and raising the competitive level of the event. Last year, we witnessed the unique atmosphere first-hand, from the action-packed racing to the vibrant beachside community. This year, TotalSUP will once again be on the ground in Kołobrzeg to report from one of the most exciting stops on the European SUP calendar.

This year’s edition brings several major highlights to Kołobrzeg. Leading the way are the Performance SUP Clinics with Belgian Champion Kjell De Bruyn, taking place on 3-4 August, offering paddlers a unique opportunity to learn from one of Europe’s top athletes ahead of race week.

The event will also host the Polish SUP Championships, while the battle for the prestigious Planet Baltic SUP Race MVP title promises to be fiercer than ever. Awarded to the most complete paddler across Sprint, Technical, and Long Distance racing, the title is currently held by Benyam Bossack (Germany) and four-time MVP Marta Apanasewicz (Poland).

Adding to the international flavour, the event continues under the honorary patronage of the Czech Ambassador, with a strong Czech team expected on the start line.

To learn more about what’s new for 2026, we caught up with Marcin Koc, Founder and Race Director of Planet Baltic SUP Race, and Kjell De Bruyn ahead of this year’s event.

To find out more about what lies ahead, we caught up with Marcin Koc, Founder and Race Director of Planet Baltic SUP Race, as well as Kjell De Bruyn, to discuss this year’s additions, the growth of the event, and what competitors can expect in Kołobrzeg this August.

Hi Marcin, welcome back to TotalSUP! What drives you the most today in organizing this event – sport, community, or something even more?

Hello, it’s great to be featured on TotalSUP again. I don’t think there’s a single answer to that question. It’s been nine years of trials, mistakes, and successes.

If I had to answer in one word, it would be: community. From the very beginning, we’ve built this event around relationships with the athletes. We make an effort to get to know everyone – including their families – to talk with them, and most importantly, to listen to their feedback about the event. In fact, we see them as our guests, not just competitors.

Of course, sport is incredibly important, but first and foremost, we focus on people. We are always delighted to see familiar faces returning year after year, and equally excited to welcome newcomers to the Planet Baltic SUP Race™ family.

One very important aspect that is rarely talked about is the role of families. Junior athletes usually travel with their parents, and they are a huge part of our community. They are often the greatest sponsors of these young paddlers, giving their time, support, love, and passion to help them pursue the sport. That’s why we always deeply appreciate the presence of families at the Planet Baltic SUP Race™.

What’s new in this year’s edition of the Planet Baltic SUP Race?

We have been developing our event since 2017. We have plenty of ideas and a few new surprises in store, but we’ll probably save those for the 10th anniversary edition of Planet Baltic SUP Race™.

For now, our focus is on ensuring the smooth and reliable delivery of every aspect of the event: the race formats, communication with athletes, and the successful execution of all three main disciplines that count towards the Planet Baltic SUP Race™ MVP title.

As I observe the SUP scene, I become increasingly convinced that maintaining high organisational standards is what ultimately defines and guarantees the prestige of an event. We’re not interested in being a one-hit wonder –  and I hope we’ve already demonstrated that.

How did it happen that the Polish Championships are also being held within the Planet Baltic SUP Race, under the authority of the Polish Surfing Association?

Planet Baltic SUP Race™ as a sporting event has always been, and will continue to be, open to all opportunities for collaboration.

Last year, we began discussions with the Polish Canoe Federation (PZS), which resulted in the event being awarded Polish National Championship status. During the championships, athletes will also compete for places on the national team heading to major international competitions.

I believe we have the knowledge and experience required to meet the demands of organising championship-level events. Over the years, we have consistently worked to build a professional and reliable competition, and we are fully prepared to take on responsibilities of this calibre.

The event is held under the honorary patronage of the Czech Ambassador, Mr Břetislav Dančák, which highlights its strong international dimension as well as the presence of the Czech national team on the start line. How important is this international aspect for you, and what can we expect from the Czech team this year?

The Czech team always knows how to surprise people. What will they surprise us with this time? That’s a question that will probably be answered once the racing begins.

For us, they are first and foremost an excellent young team that continues to grow stronger year after year. The patronage of His Excellency the Ambassador is a great honour for us, and it’s worth remembering that the Planet Baltic SUP Race™ is also part of the Czech SUP & Surf Federation Cup, making it an important event for Czech athletes as well.

Planet Baltic SUP Race has been included in the Polish SUP Cup – is this a sign of consolidation within the Polish stand-up paddle scene?

We have been sending that message since 2018 through the creation of a series called the Polish SUP Tour.

Last year, in cooperation with organisers of other SUP events across Poland, we launched a tour under that name. This year, the Polish Surfing Association assumed patronage of the series, which is why it now carries the name Polish SUP Cup.

Personally, I believe that initiatives of this kind – where organisers jointly decide on costs and investments while maintaining their independence and a healthy margin of security – create significant opportunities for growth without putting smaller events at risk, whether in Poland or elsewhere in Europe.

Unfortunately, increasing organisational costs through licensing fees, production requirements, and other expenses that could perhaps be avoided in the early stages may become a challenge for local event organisers. Building a successful race series is not something that happens in one or two years; it requires long-term commitment.

And while promoting a young and developing sport is essential, that promotion should not come at the expense of the very events that help it grow.

Kjell De Bryun is already a regular at the event – what role does he play in this edition?

Kjell is our friend. The fact that, with all his experience and titles, he continues to choose Planet Baltic SUP Race™ as an event worth returning to is a tremendous reward for us.

This year, we decided to organise a training clinic together, which Kjell will lead on 3-4 August, just ahead of PBSR™. We hope that young athletes – and not only the younger ones – will benefit from and appreciate his experience, knowledge, and professionalism.

What does his presence bring to the athletes and the wider SUP community?

I think Kjell has the qualities of both a coach and a friend. We’ve had many conversations about training, particularly in relation to sailing, which we both have a background in. Those discussions have always been constructive, and I hope we both came away from them with new ideas, insights, and experiences.

I know he has plenty of fans among the junior paddlers, and I think that’s Kjell’s real SUPerpower. 😊

In chat with Kjell De Bryun:

Hi Kjell, You’re now a regular at Planet Baltic SUP Race – what keeps bringing you back, and what makes this event stand out on the international SUP calendar?

Kjell: Planet Baltic is one of the few true open-water events that continues to embody the real spirit of SUP racing. Whether it’s the Technical Race, Sprint, or Long Distance, everything takes place on the sea, with real waves and wind adding to the challenge.

It’s a very well-organised event, but what keeps bringing me back year after year is the people. Marcin and his team put in an incredible effort every single year, and their passion for the event is evident in every detail. The atmosphere they create, both on and off the water, is something special.

This year you’re also running dedicated SUP clinics – what can participants expect from them, and what’s the main focus you want to pass on to the riders?

Kjell: This year we are organising two full days of Performance SUP Clinics, and I’m really excited about it. Participants can expect a combination of practical on-water coaching and theoretical knowledge that they can immediately apply to improve their paddling and racing.

The first day will focus on paddling technique, including video analysis, as well as how to read and handle open water more efficiently and confidently. During the theory session, I’ll also share the training principles and methods that have helped me progress as an athlete and compete at the highest level.

On the second day, we’ll go deeper into technical racing skills, including beach race techniques and race-specific strategies. We’ll also cover sports nutrition and how to fuel training and racing to perform at your best.

My goal is that every participant leaves the clinic not only with new knowledge, but also with clear tools, greater confidence, and renewed motivation to enjoy SUP and continue progressing in the sport.

Back to chat with Marcin Koc:

Marcin, with very strong participation expected this year, how is your cooperation with international junior clubs developing, and is this reflected in a growing number of young European athletes?

We welcome clubs and athletes from all countries.

At the moment, the heart of the young SUP world at Planet Baltic SUP Race™ is made up of countries such as the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. We are still eagerly waiting for – and warmly inviting – teams from Spain (Daniel Parres has promised to attend this year), Italy, Hungary, and Greece. And perhaps we’ll see a larger delegation from the UK as well?

It’s important to remember that while we create and organise the event, we are not a club. That’s why it means so much to us when we see our caps and T-shirts at races around the world, including at the most recent World Championships.

At this point, I’d like to thank all of our athletes. I said we’re not a club, but… we are a big PBSR™ community. Thank you for proudly wearing the Planet Baltic SUP Race™ logo and for being our ambassadors throughout the SUP world.

Marcin Koc and his brother, Maciej

What do you want athletes to take away from this event beyond just the results?

As a sailing coach working with children and young people, my greatest wish is always that athletes leave with joy, memories of a fantastic time, and new, lasting friendships built through sport.

Remember, no medal – even the most golden one – can ever equal the look in a friend’s eyes or the handshake of someone who, for a few moments on the water, becomes your rival.

Once again, I invite everyone to enjoy the wonderful photographs by Szymon Sikora and Robert Hajduk. They have a unique ability to capture every emotion.

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

Follow Planet Baltic on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube 

Follow Kjell De Bruyn on Facebook & Instagram 

Photos by Robert Hajduk and Szymon Sikora