The Origins of the SUP 11 City Tour or How Anne-Marie Reichmann Started It All

Before the SUP 11 City Tour became one of the most legendary Stand Up Paddle races, there was a quiet, almost forgotten chapter that few people know. In 2008, long before start lines, live tracking or international podium battles, Anne-Marie Reichmann paddled the entire 11 Cities route alone. No race. No crowd. Just a board, the Frisian waterways, and a vision that didn’t yet have a name.

From that solo journey was born what would become the pioneer event of Ultra Long Distance SUP racing. Over the years, the SUP 11 City Tour has attracted the very best in the sport — from Bart de Zwart and the Hasulyo brothers to Seychelle,  Janneke van Leeuwen, Petronella van Malsen and many more — while building a reputation as the ultimate endurance challenge. But beyond the elite names, its true strength lies in a tight-knit ULD paddling community and an extraordinary family of volunteers who keep the spirit alive year after year.

This is the full story, told in her own words, by the person who started it all.

Hello Anne-Marie, can you tell us a bit about yourself — your background, where you’re from, and what role sport has played in your life?

Aloha Mathieu! I was born in Leeuwarden in the Netherlands, and raised in the area of the “tile bridge” we paddle under on the last day of the SUP 11-City Tour. Growing up, I was gravitated to the piano, art and to movement/sports indoors (dancing, ballet, gymnastics) with preference to the outdoors (swimming, ice skating, forest, fields, adventures, walks, bike rides). It was not until I was 13/14 until I started windsurfing. A perfect match of the elements, movement and adventure. When I was 15 and 16 years old I participated in the Windsurfing 11 City Tour (organized well for 10 years) and both years I did NOT complete the challenge.

I was also put accountable to my academics (by my parents) as I tried focusing on competing, being part of and winning the Dutch race boarding championships in 1994 and testing my skills with the Mistral One design Olympic class as well. I did the sports academy for 3 years in The Hague as I switched to the wave sailing discipline and made my debut in the PWA (professional windsurfing association) in 1996 (or 97) in Grand Canaria. 10 Plus years followed with traveling, competing, training and discovering the world (and my world) as a professional windsurfer; sometimes doing extra side jobs on location and writing travel stories for the International windsurfing magazines.

How did the idea of creating the SUP 11 City Tour first come about? What inspired you to turn it into reality?

When I did not feel the same motivation and drive for my windsurfing life, I retired end of 2007 and was sort of waiting, searching for something new that I was passionate about and wanted to put my energy towards.

In 2008, I first set foot on a SUP board in the waves; a new humbling experience on a board in the water; which had me excited and hungry for more. I ended up joining the Maliko downwind runs in the summer with an awesome crew; more an endurance challenge while surfing the (big) wind swells on 14 ft boards out to sea. These downwinders turned into island crossings Maui to Molokai (solo) and the Molokai to Oahu crossing (relay) all in 2008.

The idea to paddle the 11-Cities was finalized in the early Spring 2008 when I had started down winders. I wanted to bring the SUP and this accessible healthy sport (for body and mind) to the Netherlands and was pondering my options. A SUP city tour? A tulip field route? My boyfriend at the time asked me “Why don’t you paddle that ice-skating–windsurfing route you always light up when you talk about it?” It seemed crazy, but that was also the pull and my old fire to complete this route.

All the island crossings became trainings and especially the M2O race became an inspiration. Seeing and feeling how people became One when embracing something bigger than themselves, was exciting and inspiring. And how Mike Takahashi embraced the event with his spirit and heart. It was beautiful and fueled me.

What inspired me to turn it into reality was that I was naturally drawn to it and just wanted to make it happen. Maybe there was also a part of me that wanted to proove myself; create something special connected to my 2 biggest worlds (Maui and Friesland/ Nederland) after being the traveling pro athlete living out of my suitcase for years.

I had formed a non-profit organization in the summer of 2008 with family and family friends; my mother, Clementine van der Hoek, Wim Hultink, Sam van der Meulen and Froukje Olijve; the OG board who stepped in with blind faith; they were experienced in organizations, connected in Friesland, marketing, sports or the ice skating eleven city tour) and as an advisory board they knew some official steps in the set ups I had no clue about; so I learned a lot.

Because it started as a personal challenge to complete this route but also to explore options for next year’s first annual in 2009 as an organizer, it had to be a
solid, grounded set up. As a team we had lots of brainstorms where I was the tester haha.

I had this vision of how I wanted to combine elements of the ice skating and windsurfing 11 cities with formulas that worked or held tradition. As a professional windsurfer I enjoyed applying my media and marketing experiences into this event. It was also cool to take elements from the different International windsurfing events I appreciated as a rider (some focused on food, some on local culture, some on a festive opening ceremony). The common element was that every event was proud of their culture and share that with the riders. Which is something I valued for the SUP 11-City Tour; introducing people from around the world to my culture and traditions where I grew up.

What do you remember about your very first “test tour”? How did it go and what did you learn from that experience?

I remember first of all that it took a LONG time (!!!) as I had head winds the first 4 days which was physically and mentally challenging. Day 1, 2 and 4 took me 9 hours that year on a 12.6 (compare that to a high-performance 14 foot race board now).

My focus was to complete the task; endure through the last day, the last kilometers and that was all new physical experience for me on a SUP. (No wind in your sails, no waves pushing you… all man powered movement here!). It was mentally tough because I was alone (except or my boyfriend then joining me a bit on day 1 and 4). He, Dan Fiske, also took photos the first years.

In the tough moments I learned to practice gratitude knowing it was an absolute privileged to be testing these waters, my physical abilities, my pain tolerance, my resilience and my power.

Finally reaching the finish line in Leeuwarden felt like the biggest accomplishment I had ever done. I also had finally completed this quest after NOT the 2 years windsurfing and not being drawn for the ice skating tour in 1997. What we learned was that if I could do it, more people could and we definitely could move forward organizing the event for 2009.

The local, national and international press gathered in 2008 also with help from Mara van der Schaaf, there was great proof, an invite and something awakening for the bold and curious towards this SUP 11-City Tour and beautiful Friesland. We also learned a lot about the route, what water ways worked well for SUP (compared to windsurfing or ice skating), the time line (it could take up to 9 hours in a day), safety (where can you connect with the paddler via land, what waters do you absolutely need a fast/motorized boat) and we got connected with the local governments as you needed permissions for 1 or more people to pass these water ways. We basically answered a lot of questions we had before my first SUP 11-City round.

How has the event evolved since its early days — in terms of organization, participation, and the overall spirit of the race?

The first few years there was a big evolvement in the event because the SUP racing sport was new in the Netherlands (and fairly new in Europe) when I started the event. On Maui (where I lived then and the last 7 years) and mainland US, even Australia the SUP sport was already booming so it was very cool to see the sport take of in the Netherlands and see how the SUP 11-City Tour became this exciting, challenging race track for more hungry paddlers at the end of the season. The event had the name “the longest hardest race” for a year or 2 before the Yukon and Great Alabama 650 came about. It was exciting also to see the development in the equipment.

The race also offered a new personal experience for many international racing athletes who normally raced a distance of 15- 20 kilometers max. After 6 or 7 years, the first non-stop edition came about where the racers could do the 220 kilometers within 34 hours (or men) or 36 hours (or women) which I completed once in 2019 in 35,5 hours. The option to do the non-stop or 5 days is still there and it is a different experience; more intimate, personal and less buoyant and social than the 5 days.

In terms of organization, nowadays every part of the event organization (volunteers, media, finances, catering, communications, lodging, sponsoring, etc. etc) found its place and people. This logistical challenging multiple day event is never easy, but the baseline is solid because of a solid crew! The event is blessed with most organizers and volunteers doing this for many years now. As the paddlers bond and form lifelong friendships doing something hard and different where you need each other on and off the water 5 days long, the entire Crew is also one big family; celebrating their yearly reunion wanting to send it every time.

When I started piecing it all together I was doing the majority of all the tasks myself including SUP clinics and promotions. The board was more of an advisory board with decision making, advice to cover legal, practical and safety aspects. My mother put in many long hours as well; being board member those first years (the “bridge to bridge” document she made is still accurate) and I received a lot of help from Wim and more and more help along the way as I was sharing my ideas and things came together.

A few mentions and mahalos in that area: Agnes van Hakkenberg who connected me with her contacts in Leeuwarden. Oane Hoekstra who offered me
a work space in his office where I met Ritske Merkus. This turned into regular brainstorms with them being enthusiastic and willing to help me connect. Oane is still seen and involved with the event and needless to say, so is Ritske; board member since 2011. We are now many Volunteers and a few board members later since the beginning and there are many volunteers who are with the event for many years. I would love to state how grateful I am for what everyone has done and added to the event over the years. I think that is one of things I have learned to value over time after being the pro athlete for whom it was quite normal to get help and support.

In terms of participation, the event grew from 1 person in 2008, to 15 invited athletes in 2009, to 80 the next year with over 100 participants in 2011. In the years following we peaked around the 180 to 200 paddlers (including day and weekend
paddlers) but that also became harder to handle for the organization. Our ideal number is 150 athletes who paddle the 5-day race for the organization to have fun and handle the work load with a smile.

The overall spirit of the race has always been very exciting especially in the beginning because it was new and a hype to be part of this race. There was this curiosity from people around the world to see and follow (the LIVE tracking) who would win and what was going on. Byron Kurt being the first winner ever from the USA in 2009, Bart de Zwart making his career in the sport; becoming 4 times the SUP 11-City champion with hungry battles to slay. And then, the Hasulyo brothers, adding young blood and speed to the event with Bruno Hasulyo taking 6 SUP 11-City Tour championship titles!

Not to mention the solid crew of female athletes on the course like Jenny Kalmbach, Karen Wrenn, Janneke van Leeuwen, Seychelle, Ella Oesterhof and Petronella van Malsen to name a few.

The fire in the race has spread more to the 40+ and 50+ age category. It seems that the younger racers focus more on the World Champion races that are short sprints with some endurance of 15 – 20 kilometers. However; it still is the Ultimate Challenge and winning this race never goes by unnoticed or is it ever easy.

For 2026 we are going to invite and accommodate some racers (m/f) for whom this is their cup of tea and bring back some new racing fire.

The SUP 11 City Tour is known for its unique mix of endurance, community, and
Dutch culture. What do you think makes it so special?

This event invites the endurance; the long haul. As an athlete You need to dig deep and push yourself passed comfort (also as crew) to accomplish this race and event. A lot of the racers start to team up in little paddling groups and the togetherness forms in the individual race. Which is something I love.

The organization knows how challenging the paddling is and takes as much pride and joy in facilitating the race course and care for the athletes. So, it really is something you do together and everyone is aware of that. Which does not only create community, this bonds times 100 and you become family. The Dutch and Frisian culture shines through in how everyone’s way of being is. Go hard, do it from the heart and don’t stop until it’s over. Some traditional elements are in the medal; the Frisian ice-skating cross, and some authentic products, prices, the lodging on the sailing ships as well as the food.

The dinners now are accommodated in local restaurants of the finishing towns, so after the time on the water, you get to connect even more with the historic 11 Cities. It is a pretty big experience no word or picture can really capture.

Looking back, what are some of your favorite memories or most emotional
moments from all these years?

1- I think the feeling of making that first 11 City around in 2008, that a “full circle” moment for me, that was just very special and the love and support that was around that.

2- Also getting donations from my friends and family circle in 2009 to make ends meet and help me realize my dream, was extremely touching and humbling to do/ask.

3- Crossing the finish line in Leeuwarden with my brother Ed and winning the event in 2011.

4- Paddling a stage with my husband Eric in 2012 and with my niece Sacha in 2022 was very memorable.

5 – Paddling that stage in 2016 for 60+ kilometers where day 1 and 2 were put together. It was the first time back on the course being a mom. I had sliced my
foot open in the lake, got cold, wet (regardless a dry suit) hypothermia and pretty much crossed the finish line destroyed but there was another kind of trophy
there; my husband was there with my son Jayden.

6- Realizing what the SUP 11-City Tour started meaning to others has never stopped amazing and touching me. This event changes and touches people’s
lives which is huge. Athletes and Crew experience something that is hard to put into words. It gives a feeling of empowerment doing something hard, different and you share it with people from around the world. As in the organization; this event demands a special spirit besides the qualities to do the job. To see an entire crew come together as their big annual reunion where they work and play hard, is just amazing.

7 – In general it is just crazy how many people I met and how many people have met others again from being part of the event. It is beautiful to see and feel how people are touched by the SUP 11-City Tour and how it has sparked fires, dream jobs, events and initiatives. The stories continue.

And finally, what is up for the SUP 11 City Tour 2026? How do you see the event growing or evolving in the future?

For the SUP 11-City Tour 2026

1- I would love to keep seeing and feeling the Unity and Ohana vibe in the event with the racers and organizations. Coming from one place (within) of Aloha positive energy and determination, moves mountains and creates magic. And a big thanks goes out board members Ritske Merkus, Jesse Paauw, Jildou Merkus, Jaimy de Linde, Ypie Duursma-Groenenwoud.

2- I’d love to see a motivated exciting race fleet by the men and women as the SUP 11-City Tour offers such a special, challenging and beautiful racecourse! To
do so, we are inviting 3 male and 3 female paddlers (APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!) who want to bring their ALL in the race and ad some heat to the podium places. We cover their entry fee and accommodation in return. They can then embrace the experience as a racer ambassador and share their story.

Another change for 2026 is that all racers start in 1 race field (m/f) again, the old school way. There will still be age group rankings, price givings in the end as
well, but it will also create a different dynamic, so it is exciting what happens with that.

3 – I also love that our 5-days Tour fleet I was part of last year is growing. It is very enjoyable that you can paddle without racing; connecting with each other is a bit more relaxed in this group. It is also great to see how the event offers a great platform for positive initiatives, awareness and fundraises. We hope to keep accommodating and expanding our event to people who love and embrace the endurance, challenge, adventure and a positive attitude.

4 – The Sustainable #SUP11Citygreen is a positive initiative to stay alert what impact event choices (in food, clothing, transportation etc.) have on the environment as well. We have 2 Applications Open for a free entry for 2026 in exchange for the 5-day SUP Clean UP. Or one team of max 5 people can divide the cleaning of 220 kilometer. This always takes directly care of pollution problem and creates awareness. And do SUP Cleanups in the local towns where we land would be cool and fun.

And we are happy to share our sustainable space with green minded partners, sponsors and initiatives in 2026 to share a message to help our planet. We do
our part reusing our coffee cups, using electric boats and choose sustainable products where can. We separate our recycle bottles and the trash services in
Friesland recycles before it goes to the landfill which is great start.

5 – Live music wants to make its way back again to Friesland which always ads a nice vibe to finish areas when the paddling is done and dusted and when the time has finally come to get a massage, chill, eat, drink, hang out & talk story

How I see the event growing and evolving in the future? The event is already rad the way it is and there also still so much potential in various areas. I don’t have a vision what will happen in the future. Maybe a bigger race with more price money. Maybe we’ll have a SUP 11-City forest planted somewhere.

As long as there is drive and positive energy in the tank, we will keep on going.

You know the story. Now paddle it! Next edition: 5–6 September 2026 (Non-Stop) and 9–13 September 2026
www.sup11citytour.com
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