SUNOVA’s Indonesian Underdog: Dessy Welmince Powers into the Global SUP Scene

Indonesia’s SUP scene is growing rapidly, with athletes like 21-year-old Dessy Welmince representing a new generation of competitive paddlers. Coming from a canoeing background, she has successfully transferred her strength and water skills to SUP racing. At the 2025 ICF World Championships in Abu Dhabi, she delivered impressive results on her SUNOVA board, demonstrating both power and potential on the international stage. Based in West Papua, she trains in demanding ocean conditions and continues to pursue her goal of making Indonesia proud at future world events.

Huge congratulations on your results at the ICF World Championship – winning the Technical Race B-Final, taking second in the Sprint Open B-Final, and finishing 22nd in the Open Women Long Distance! How did these races feel for you, and what’s your take on your overall performance?

I feel so excited to have finished first in the Technical Race B-Final! It really surprised me that I could compete against and even beat some of the world’s top athletes in the B-Final. In the Long Distance race, I realized I need to improve my focus and training, but overall, I’m very happy because I gained so much experience at the ICF World Championships in Abu Dhabi. It was a great honor to represent Indonesia at such a prestigious event. It was also my first international competition, and I was thrilled to meet so many incredible paddlers from all over the world.

Picture: ICF

How long have you been paddling, when did you start competing in the Open category, and how did you first get into this sport?

I’ve been paddling for about four years. I live in West Papua, in the far east of Indonesia, and started competing in the Open category four years ago as well. I actually come from a canoeing background, which helped me a lot when I switched to SUP. One of my proudest moments was winning the gold medal at the National Multi-Event for SUP in Aceh in 2024.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My training environment is full of waves, not flat water, which makes every session challenging. I train five times a week with my coach, Yan Agus (Inov). He’s an amazing coach who has taught me so much and helped me become stronger and more confident.

Why do you choose a SUNOVA board, which one is your favorite, and what do you love most about it for racing?

The board is incredibly fast and looks so sleek – I love it! My favorite is the Flatwater Fast Pro 20”, which I used at the ICF World Championships 2025. It’s very stable and feels like a bullet on the water.

What are your dreams in this sport, and who has been your biggest inspiration or role model?

My dream is to become one of the best SUP racers in the world and to make Indonesia, especially West Papua, proud of me. My biggest inspiration is Seychelle; she has such a kind heart and was so nice when we met.

What’s your favorite discipline in SUP and why?

I love Sprint and Technical races because they are powerful and explosive, they really bring out my strength and energy.

Picture: ICF

Being from Indonesia, what’s the SUP scene like there, how has your background shaped the way you race, and what are your next big goals and upcoming events?

The SUP scene in Indonesia is growing very fast, there are many competitions now and a lot of new racers joining. We also have so many beautiful islands that make paddling here an incredible experience. My next big goal is to win a medal at the ICF World Championships 2026 in Italy, and I hope that, together with SUNOVA, I can make that dream come true.

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

You can also follow Dessy on her Instagram page.