From Lake Bohinj to Ljubljana: SUP Klub Gears Up for the Next Slovenian Race

Fresh off the success of the 8th Bohinj SUP Challenge in Slovenia – which saw a record number of international participants and young talents and the respective victories of local champion Maja Dolžan and Dutch powerhouse Joep Van Bakel –  Damjan Mozina, founder of SUP Klub, shares insights into the event’s highlights, results and challenges. He also gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming 9th Ljubljanica SUP Challenge, set to take place on September 5th, offering a unique blend of urban racing and vibrant atmosphere in Ljubljana’s picturesque old town, and limited to 60 participants.

Damjan Mozina at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Hello Damjan, it’s a busy year for SUP Klub. How are you? How’s the club, the SUP scene in Slovenia, and what new developments or projects are you excited about?

Hello TotalSUP, always a pleasure catching up! While summer is holiday time for some, it’s as busy as it gets for SUP Klub, fortunately! May and June were really quiet due to bad weather here in Slovenia, but now it has improved. All our instructors are busy with quite a few projects, from organized recreational paddling, summer kids camps, free SUP courses (sponsored by Ljubljana’s mayor), to training and event organization. Let’s not forget the guided tours through downtown Ljubljana and instructor training—SUP Klub became an ASI training center where experienced paddlers can become globally accredited ASI SUP instructors… And most of us are still keeping our daily jobs, hehe.

Guide Stand Up Paddle Tours in Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital

Recently, we’ve been developing some more (international) projects, which will probably keep us busy in the off-season and are expected to launch early in 2025.

The 8th Bohinj SUP Challenge was held last weekend. How did the event go, and what were some of the highlights or standout moments from this year’s race?

The 8th edition of the Bohinj SUP Challenge was a success, both for the organizers and the racers. We had 110 paddlers at the start line from 11 countries, which is the most so far. We are also proud of the 20 young paddlers who competed in different U14 categories. Just a week before, I wasn’t that optimistic—due to the bad weather forecast, I withdrew some planned activities and adjusted the program to what was suitable for a hot Saturday. In the end, the sun worked for us and offered another hot and slightly windy race, so it truly deserved the ‘Challenge’ in its name 🙂 Some paddlers had extra work to get through the finish gate correctly, as the last chicane was a challenge due to the strong wind.

An outstanding performance was delivered by Rudy van Haven and Joep van Bakel, who not only dominated the 7.5 km SUP race but also used a 10 km kayak race as a warm-up.

What were the final results and notable performances in the 8th Bohinj SUP Challenge?

The young Van Bakel brothers were absolute stars. They won the U12 and U14 short races and even outperformed a significant number of adults in the long-distance races. We are very proud of the first-time racers, both in the Fun category and those in Race and Elite, who dedicated this hot Saturday to spend with us.

Mylo & Tije Van Bakel

Men’s Podium:
1. Joep Van Bakel – NED
2. Zeno Szabo – HUN
3. Szabolcs Fodor – HUN

Men’s podium

Women’s podium
1. Maja Dolžan – SLO
2. Vira Lemekha – ITA
3. Silvia Carletti – ITA

Women’s podium

Official results are available here:

What would you like to say to paddlers who would be interested in taking part next year? Do you already have a set date?

Given that it’s one of the most scenic and pristine venues for SUP racing, the Bohinj SUP Challenge is a race you simply have to experience. When racing in Triglav National Park, we usually talk about the friendly atmosphere, nice people, local cuisine, and stunning views. Even locals plan vacations around this race, staying in the area for biking, hiking, mountaineering, swimming, or paddling. With endless possibilities and a well-organized yet simple event, racers keep coming back. There are even a couple of racers who have been with this event since it began in 2015!

Maja Dolžan

There’s one thing to do now for sure—make a room reservation! And register for the event here: 9. BOHINJ SUP CHALLENGE | Facebook. The date is set and published, so mark your calendars and join the discussion in the Facebook event so we can keep you updated. Saturday, August 16th, 2025, it is!

The 7th Ljubljanica SUP Challenge is scheduled to take place on September 5th after being rescheduled. What prompted the change in date, and how has this impacted your preparations for the event?

The Ljubljanica SUP Challenge is an exclusive sprint race in the channel in the heart of old Ljubljana. The scenic paddling atmosphere and many spectators along the way make this event different and tempting. The number of participants is limited to only 60, so there are just a few spots left to register. The May event had to be canceled due to a heavy storm—a lightning strike hit the area just as paddlers were about to be on the water… No one wants to be on the water in such conditions. Safety first!

As organizers, we had to make a decision that morning, looking at the forecast. It was a hard one, having everything ready for the event. Half of the paddlers were already at the event site, some from Poland, Holland, Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia… But, we did what was right. The event was postponed to September 5th, and we had a barbecue party with those who were there anyway 😀

What can participants expect from the upcoming Ljubljanica SUP Challenge in terms of course layout, event features, and atmosphere?

Racing in the heart of Ljubljana offers not only a unique way of rapid sightseeing but also the support of hundreds of spectators on the bridges and city promenade, cheering and motivating racers throughout the entire 2.5-kilometer course. We can confidently say it’s a unique race, and nowhere else do paddlers and spectators interact so closely for the whole race. With all the noise coming from the riverbank, racers usually report a higher heart rate than usual—thanks to the excitement they feel racing in the channel. And not to forget the party and BBQ after the race at the amazing SUP Klub venue just outside the city center.

The event takes place on a Thursday, September 5th at 5 pm. What an odd combination! Who is the event for?

Considering the promotion format of the race, we aim to present stand-up paddling as a sport for everyone, with lots of possibilities on different waterways, available and affordable to practically everybody. To reach more people, we have to do it when they are coming from work, yet still in the city. On weekends, we mostly roam to the seaside or the mountains, so midweek after work and school is a great option. Racers from nearby countries will register, along with many locals, so we expect a great, interesting, and fair race with a party afterward.

Known for its relaxed atmosphere and good organization, the Ljubljanica SUP Challenge is an event racers love and have been returning to for years now. So, everyone is welcome to check in and register if you’re around at that time.

For more information on SUP Klub and to register:
www.supklub.si