SUP 11-City Tour 2025: Robin Hoekstra, 14, triple final stage finisher, targets 4th round & endurance racing

With more young SUP athletes stepping up into open divisions, this age group is claiming a well-deserved spotlight in the sport. We’ve been following this exciting rise under our Young SUP Athletes tag, and now we’re turning to one of the most coveted races in the sport, the SUP 11-City Tour, through the eyes of 14-year-old Robin Hoekstra, the 2024 Dutch Junior (U14) SUP Long Distance Champion.

We can say with all confidence: already a three-time finisher of the final stage of the race, Robin represents the next wave of endurance paddlers. From his home in Balk, Friesland, right along the route, he’s grown up inspired by the Tour and has made the Sunday stage his proving ground.

Although there’s a dedicated Kids Stage – a 10.4 km course on the final day of the Tour, just before the awards – Robin has consistently chosen to take on the tougher challenge. The Kids Stage offers juniors a safe but demanding way to experience the race, with an unforgettable finish in Leeuwarden, cheered on by the same crowds that welcome the 5-day and non-stop competitors.

But Robin has gone further. For three years in a row, he’s paddled the 27 km final stretch of the Tour, testing himself against the same waters as the world’s top endurance athletes.

For Robin and his peers, it’s more than just another race. It’s about writing their own chapters in the story of the SUP 11-City Tour, and showing that the future of endurance SUP is already here.

Photo by Andy Klotz

Hi Robin, welcome to TotalSUP! Can you tell us how you first got into stand-up paddling, and what drew you to the sport?

That was five years ago. My mom started paddleboarding, and I enjoyed joining her. After a while, I wanted my own board, but my parents thought it was important to first take some technique lessons. By chance, we ended up at SUP Kids Makkum, about 35 minutes from where we live.

It was an instant match with my coach, Jörg Bossack. I started training there alongside paddlers like Benyam Bossack and Maximus Sijrier, and I’ve never stopped!

Robin at the 2024 SUP 11-City Tour | Photo by Edwin Westra

You’ve already finished the last day of the SUP 11-City Tour three times – that’s huge! What keeps you coming back to such a challenging event?

I started following the SUP 11-City Tour five years ago, partly because we live along the route (Balk – Luts and the famous Slotermeer). I found it fascinating, and standing on a bridge over the Luts, I said I wanted to do it one day.

The atmosphere, the fun, the challenges during the SUP 11-City Tour, and the achievements of paddlers like Maximus Sijrier convinced me to join for the first time in 2022. I paddled 27KM from Dokkum to Leeuwarden with my dad, in terrible weather.

That experience made me want more, and now I see it as a personal challenge to become the paddler with the most finishes in Leeuwarden over the years. Of course, I’m working my way up to the 5-day event and definitely the non-stop too!

You train with your dad, Johan – what’s that like? Does it feel more like family time, or serious training (or a bit of both)?

That’s right. Next to the three trainings each week with SUP Kids Makkum, I often train with my dad Johan. We both enjoy long-distance paddling.

We take it seriously, but of course we also have fun together! Still, training with the other kids at SUP Kids Makkum is what I enjoy the most.

Racing the SUP 11-City Sunday stage alongside your dad must have been special – how did it feel to finish that race together?

My grandfather skated the 11 Cities Tour on ice, and it’s been my dad’s dream to do it too. The SUP 11-City Tour clearly runs in our blood!

The first year, we paddled the Sunday stage together, which was very special. Especially the Tegeltjesbrug, where a photo of my grandfather hangs – that moment was emotional. My Coach Jörg Bossack waited for us at the bridge to guide us toward Leeuwarden. That was also very special.

We paddled together again the second year from Dokkum to Leeuwarden. Last year was my third time, and I paddled at my own pace, my dad couldn’t keep up anymore 😉.

This year, my dad is paddling the full five-day tour for the first time. I’ll be supporting and cheering him on and of course paddling the final day again from Dokkum to Leeuwarden. This time, for the first time on my SUNOVA board, aiming for a faster time than last year.

We always ask long-distance and endurance paddlers – what draws you to such a tough race format? What makes it special for you?

My biggest strength is my technique. I’m a perfectionist and find technique very important – and fascinating in terms of what you can achieve with it. I can paddle in the same cadence for a very long time.

This works best in long-distance races, especially on flat water (which I enjoy most). In long-distance races, you can pace yourself and race tactically. I closely follow the races of the top specialists via live streams and social media, like those from TotalSUP. It’s very educational.

Robin at the 2025 Lake Rocks Festival | Photo by Andy Klotz

Can you walk us through your SUP setup and explain how you connected with SUNOVA and Quickblade Paddles?

This December, we’re travelling to Fuerteventura for the third time, where I train with Susanne Lier. Her coaching has been incredibly valuable. Thanks to her advice and trust, I paddle on her former “wonderboard,” the SUNOVA Flatwater Faast Pro 14×20. I’m proud to paddle on it!

I also recently got a SUNOVA Allround 14×21 with custom colors. I paddle with a Quickblade Paddle T2 79, which is ideal for long distances.

Do you have any advice for young SUP athletes aiming to race in the SUP 11-City Tour for the first time?

Do longer sessions on flat water to find your ideal rhythm and try to maintain it for longer periods. Friesland offers perfect conditions, so if you can, come train here!

Also, keep paddling year-round, join races, and listen to your body. I really hope more young athletes will join the SUP 11-City Tour, it’s so much fun!

With so much already under your belt at a young age, what’s the next big goal you’d love to achieve in SUP?

SUP 11-City Tour finishes are very important to me. I want to become stronger and faster in the coming year so I can paddle closer to the top athletes. I’m also aiming for another podium finish at the Dutch Championships.

But most of all, I want to stay injury-free, enjoy being on the water, and keep learning. That’s what matters most to me in this sport.

Thank you so much for sharing your story Robin – we can’t wait to follow you during the SUP 11-City Tour!

Image source: The EuroTour Nordhausen 2025

Find out more about SUP 11-City Tour here 

To find out more about SUNOVA, visit sunovasurfboards.com; Follow SUNOVA on Instagram and Facebook   

To learn more about Quickblade visit quickbladepaddles.com; Follow Quickblade on social media: Instagram, and Facebook

Follow Robin on Instagram