Racing on a Board Built for Her – Skadi Langbein and SUNOVA Custom Design

Technical courses, point-to-point sprints, and the pursuit of constant progress define the racing style of 18-year-old Skadi Langbein from Berlin. She discovered stand-up paddling in 2016 during an open day at her local club, Wander-Paddler-Havel e.V., and has since transformed a simple hobby into a competitive career. For several years she has raced on SUNOVA boards, including her custom-made purple board. Known for giving athletes the opportunity to create boards fully tailored to their own needs, SUNOVA produces these custom designs at The Board Factory in Khao Lak, Thailand. Skadi continues to train with the goal of delivering her very best when it matters most.

Hi Skadi, nice to have you with us! Since this year you are competing for the first time in the Open Category, how does it feel to make this step, and what differences do you notice compared to juniors?

Hi Sabe, it’s great to be here with you. I definitely see this step as a new challenge, and I try to treat every race as an opportunity to improve and learn. As I had already raced a few Open Women’s events in the years before, the change was not too difficult. But compared to juniors you really have to stay fully focused from start to finish, because there is no room for mistakes. At the same time, it’s motivating to test myself against some of the best paddlers in the world.

Picture: Lukasz Franica

Looking back at your top achievements: 2nd place at the ICF Junior Sprint in 2022 and 2nd place at the European Championships 2024 in the Junior Long Distance, what were the decisive moments or main challenges in those races?

At the 2022 ICF Junior Sprint, the decisive moment came during the paddle change halfway through the race. That was when I realized I had the chance to fight for a top position, and it gave me the push to paddle even harder. In 2024 at the European Championships in the Long Distance, it was crucial to keep the speed high in order to lead the draft train while still saving enough energy for the final sprint.

What role does SUNOVA play in your training and competition? When it comes to board choice, equipment performance, and innovation, is there a particular SUNOVA product that has especially supported you or made a difference in specific races?

SUNOVA is an important part of my development. Having equipment I feel comfortable and stable on makes a huge difference, both in training and on race days. Their boards are light, fast, and designed with so much attention to detail.

My favorite board is the SUNOVA Flatwater Elite Faast Pro 14 x 19, which is also my main choice for training. I use it for both flatwater sprints and long-distance races. In technical races and in open-water conditions I mainly use my purple custom board in 14 x 21.5. With its flat deck, low volume, and great stability, it’s currently the perfect fit for me.

Picture: Martin Hladik

You spent almost two weeks training in Khao Lak, Thailand, right where the SUNOVA boards are produced. Can you tell us more about that experience?

I’ve been to the SUNOVA factory several times before, so it was really nice to see everyone again. I also really enjoyed spending time with Sabe (Fischer) and Chris (Taucher) from SUP.training, and especially the SUP training sessions together with Sabe. Overall, it was an incredible experience and one that will stay in my memory.

Picture: Alex Macheras

What does your current training program look like, and what areas are you focusing on the most right now?

My main focus is definitely on water training, but I also include a lot of strength work in the gym and mobility training to stay balanced. As I mentioned, I prefer sprint and technical race training, but I also combine this with endurance sessions to aim for an overall strong performance. It’s important for me to work on all areas so I can stay competitive in every discipline.

Picture: Martin Hladik

What are your goals for the rest of this season, and at which events will we see you compete next?

The next event is the German Flatwater Championship, where my goal is to defend my titles from previous years. The highlight this year is definitely the ICF World Championship in Abu Dhabi. I don’t have a specific placement in mind since it’s my first Open Women’s World Championship. My goal is to do the best I can, enjoy the races, gain valuable experience, and learn from it.

Picture: Michael Karst

Finally, what advice would you give to young female SUP athletes making the transition from juniors into the Open Category?

My advice would be to take part in a few Open Category races beforehand, as it allows you to learn from more experienced paddlers. Try not to get discouraged when things don’t go exactly as planned, and the most important thing is to stay patient.

Picture: Martin Hladik

For more information about SUNOVA products, visit their website or Instagram page.

You can also follow Skadi Langbein on her Instagram page.