SUP11 Islands: Designed to keep you coming back – Thomas Schillig breaks down the experience ahead of this year’s edition

What draws an ultra-endurance paddler to a ocean race and SUP adventure like no other? And what makes them return not once, but multiple times? Thomas Schillig, 45, from Switzerland, was among the first to experience this unique format.

SUP11 Islands is a 5-day stand-up paddle adventure taking place from 30 November to 7 December, starting on Koh Chang, Thailand’s second-largest island. Paddle across open sea, hop from island to island and take on long-distance days, all while the logistics are taken care of. With an average of 25 kilometres per day, it’s an adventure that combines endurance, exploration and the unique experience of discovering Thailand from the water.

Since taking up paddling in 2011, Thomas has become well known for his work with Swiss brand Airboard, where he has contributed to numerous innovations in inflatable SUPs. He has also pushed his limits in some of the world’s toughest SUP challenges, including Last Paddler Standing, the SUP 11-City Tour, the Yukon River Quest and the Amazon.

We sat down with Thomas to break down the SUP11 Islands experience – from its social and cultural aspects to the endurance challenge that keeps him coming back for more.

Photo by Shaienfotografie

Hi Thomas, welcome to TotalSUP! You’ve taken SUP well beyond traditional racing distances. What first drew you to endurance and ultra-endurance paddling?

I’ve always known that I’m not the fastest athlete, but I’ve always had a lot of endurance, and that’s not just in stand-up paddling. For years, I had been following the Yukon River Quest, an incredible 715 km race in Canada. I paddled the Yukon River several times before, but paddling this amazing river in such a rush seemed too pity. In 2019, I finally decided to sign up for the 2020 edition and started preparing for it.

Then the pandemic came along, and travelling abroad was no longer possible. But there was a positive side to all those restrictions: suddenly, I had plenty of time to train! And I started to train, hard, even if there was no race in 2020. Four-hour paddling sessions soon became my normal minimum, and I discovered something interesting: even after eight hours on the water, I wasn’t particularly tired, as long as I maintained my own pace. That’s when I realised that ultra-endurance paddling might actually be something that really suits me.

Photo by Edwin Westra

You’ve paddled hundreds of kilometres through very different environments, including the Amazon. Which challenge pushed you furthest physically and mentally?

I love stepping into the unknown. My Amazon adventure, for example, was a very spontaneous decision and turned into an incredible journey full of new experiences, cultural encounters and unexpected situations. But the challenge that pushed me the furthest, both physically and mentally, was definitely my first Yukon River Quest in 2022.

Even though I had already paddled the Yukon River twice before, racing it solo was a completely different story. I was on my own, facing whatever nature had in store for me. And that year, it included strong winds and thunderstorms! In races like these, I believe mental strength is often far more important than physical fitness. You need to stay calm, adapt to changing situations and keep making good decisions, even when you’re exhausted.

Photo by Edwin Westra

There’s one question I always find myself asking endurance paddlers: ‘Why?’ Why willingly choose the pain, fatigue and uncertainty that come with going beyond your limits?

Ah yes, the famous “Why?” question! 🙂 I’ve asked myself that many times, and I don’t think there’s just one answer. In fact, I have several different “whys”, depending on when you ask me.

WHY before the race

Because I love the unknown. How far can I go? How will I manage the race? What challenges will I face along the way? What fascinates me is that every ultra-distance event is different. Some races have mandatory breaks, while others leave it entirely up to you. Sometimes I’m on my board for 12 to 24 hours without stepping of the board . In other races, you have to get off the water to pass locks or carry your board around locks and weirs. All these details become part of the strategy, and I really enjoy that aspect. I love planning, preparing and figuring out the best approach for each challenge.

Photo by Shaienfotografie

WHY during the race

Believe me, there are moments on the board when I ask myself exactly that question! Sometimes I even think, “That’s it. This is definitely my last ultra-distance race. Why on earth would I do this again?” But it’s not really about regretting my decision. There are not doubts. It’s just part of the experience. When you’re exhausted, your mind starts playing games with you. And learning to deal with those moments is part of the challenge.

WHY after the race

The good thing is that I usually recover quite quickly. And bad moments start to fade away, while all the amazing memories remain. The landscapes, the experiences, the people and that incredible feeling of having completed something extraordinary. Ok, im also one of this ULD paddlers who is telling „This is my las one!“ specially before and during. 🙂 But finishing it healthy I’m already thinking about the next adventure.

Photo by Edwin Westra

WHY do it again?

Well, there’s also a very practical reason. I’ve invested a lot of time and effort into building up my endurance, especially during the lockdown in spring 2020, when I suddenly had all that extra time to train. And now that I’ve reached this level of fitness, it would almost be a shame to lose it! So I guess I just have to keep going. 🙂

Let’s talk about SUP 11 X in Thailand… What brings an ultra-endurance paddler like you to a SUP adventure in paradise?

I was lucky enough to take part in the very first SUP 11 Islands edition back in 2019. At the time, I was already travelling in Asia for quality management work related to SUP production, so it was a perfect opportunity to join the event. That first edition was such a fantastic experience, in such an incredible environment, that I immediately knew I wanted to come back. Unfortunately, I had to wait another five years before I could return.

But it was absolutely worth the wait! And it’s not just about paddling through paradise. What makes SUP 11 X so special is also the organisation and the people behind it. The professional team does an amazing job. Everything runs smoothly, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed, personal and almost like being part of a big family. That combination makes the event really special.

Photo by Edwin Westra

What is it about the format – multiple days, long distances and changing conditions – that appeals to you as an endurance paddler?

One thing I’ve learned from endurance paddling is that you can’t choose the conditions. You simply have to deal with whatever nature gives you. When you look at the pictures from SUP 11 X, everything looks like paradise: turquoise water, beautiful islands, white sandy beaches and sunshine. And of course, it really is that beautiful! But it’s important to remember that we’re paddling on the open sea. There can be wind, waves and currents, and conditions can change quickly.

What looks like a relaxing paddle in a tropical paradise can suddenly turn into a real challenge. And that’s exactly what I enjoy! It’s not just about the stunning scenery, but also about adapting to the conditions and dealing with whatever comes your way. That mix of adventure, natural beauty and physical challenge is what makes the format so appealing to me.

Photo by Shaienfotografie

Having completed SUP 11 X several times, how would you describe the experience to someone who has never taken part?

For me, one of the most exciting things about SUP 11 X is discovering something new every single day. A new island, a hidden bay, another beautiful beach. Every stage brings a different landscape and a new experience. But I would also tell anyone considering the event not to underestimate it. You’re paddling from island to island on the open sea, and that means dealing with wind, currents and waves.

Photo by Shaienfotografie

It’s not always the easy, picture-perfect paddling experience you might imagine when looking at the photos. Of course, everyone looks happy in the pictures when they arrive at the beach, and most of the time they really are! But some participants may have just pushed themselves to their limits to get there. Even a relatively short stage of around 12 km, which might sound like an easy half-day paddle, can become surprisingly demanding when the conditions are challenging. That’s part of what makes the experience so rewarding. You get the beauty of a tropical paradise, but also the satisfaction of having earned your arrival at the next island.

Photo by Edwin Westra

What role does the community and atmosphere around SUP 11 X play in the experience?

The community is a huge part of the experience! We spend most of our time together, whether we’re paddling, taking breaks, enjoying meals or simply relaxing after a day on the water. There’s always something to talk about, and you learn a lot from each other. Sometimes it’s about paddling techniques, equipment or experiences from other races. Other times, you discover new events you might want to join in the future. And of course, it’s not always about SUP!

Photo by Edwin Westra

There are plenty of conversations about everyday life, travel and all kinds of other things. Sometimes we even end up playing games together. It’s this relaxed and friendly atmosphere that makes SUP 11 X much more than just a paddling event. You arrive as a group of paddlers, but after spending several days together, you leave as friends.

Photo by Edwin Westra

SUP 11 X sits somewhere between endurance challenge, adventure and holiday. Who would you say it’s made for — and what does a paddler need to bring to the start line?

For me, SUP 11 X has become something like a SUP holiday. But that wasn’t always the case! I still remember my first participation in 2019. At that time, I had only just started getting into ultra-distance training. Until then, my longest paddling event had been the SUP 11-City Tour. That first SUP 11 Islands edition was actually quite tough for me. It was my first real experience paddling on the open sea, and I was usually among the last paddlers in the group.

But that’s also what makes this event interesting: you don’t have to be a well trained ultra-endurance athlete to enjoy it. I think SUP 11 X is for paddlers who love adventure, enjoy discovering new places and are willing to challenge themselves a little. You should have a reasonable level of fitness, feel comfortable on a board and, most importantly, have some experience paddling in wind and waves.

Open-water conditions shouldn’t come as a complete surprise. And you need to bring the right attitude: be flexible, respect the sea, enjoy the adventure and don’t worry too much about being the fastest. – its not a race, its an adventure.

Photo by Shaienfotografie

If you could go back to the paddler who started this journey, what would you tell him about where SUP could take him?

I would probably tell him: “You have absolutely no idea where this little board is going to take you!” 🙂 When I started stand-up paddling back in 2011, I certainly never imagined that one day I would be paddling hundreds of kilometres through the Canadian wilderness, exploring rivers in the Amazon rainforest or travelling from island to island in Thailand. And I definitely wouldn’t have believed that I could paddle for more than 50 hours in a race and actually enjoy it! But looking back, it’s not really the distances or race results that matter most to me. It’s all the experiences along the way.

SUP has taken me to incredible places, introduced me to amazing people from all over the world and given me opportunities I would never have imagined. It has also become a big part of my professional life, allowing me to combine my passion for paddling with developing and improving SUP equipment. What I’ve learned is that you don’t necessarily have to be the fastest or the strongest. Sometimes curiosity, endurance and the willingness to try something new can take you much further than you think.

And the best part? After all these years and thousands of kilometres, there are still so many rivers, lakes and coastlines I haven’t explored yet. So I guess I would simply tell my younger self: “Just keep paddling. The adventure has only just begun!”

Image source: SUP 11 X

To find out more and REGISTER FOR THIS YEAR’S EDITION, visit sup11x.com

Follow the SUP 11 X challenge on Facebook and Instagram

Follow Thomas Schillig on Facebook 

*Images courtesy of SUP 11 X