Lake Zürich’s Big Paddle Challenge: a 22KM Adventure for Leisure Paddlers

Florian Gander, founder of SUPkultur and co-founder of the Swiss Stand-Up Paddle Association, is a key figure in Switzerland’s SUP scene. On June 28, he will host the second edition of the annual Big Paddle Challenge on Lake Zürich, a 22 km non-competitive paddle event designed primarily for leisure paddlers. Unlike traditional SUP races that can be intimidating for non-elite athletes, the Big Paddle Challenge removes the pressure of competition, encouraging participants to simply enjoy the journey, whether on a SUP, surfski, canoe, or foil. With breathtaking views of the Alps, refuel stops, and a festive event village at the finish line, it’s all about the experience rather than the result!

Hello Florian, can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background in stand-up paddleboarding? How did you get into the sport?

I was raised on the Spanish island of Mallorca by German parents in a small village in the northeast. The sea was everything to me, and somehow it still is. I grew up on the beach, playing with the waves, making my first surf attempts with an old bodyboard, and sailing the infamous shoebox—the Optimist.

The first picture I have on a “SUP” is from 1987, paddling my dad’s old 1982 Fanatic windsurf board. After that, I got more and more into sailing until my university studies drew me away from the water. Fast forward to my twenties, and to make matters worse, a former girlfriend moved me to the Swiss Alps, where I thought my time on the water had come to an end.

I rediscovered my love for paddling on Lake Zürich in 2011, renting an old Naish Touring board. My first SUP race was at the Lost Miles event in Germany in 2013—if I remember correctly. From there on, I was hooked, and in 2014, after some boring years in Swiss finance, I got the chance to turn my hobby into a job.

How did SUP Kultur come to life? Can you share the story behind the club, its mission, and how it has evolved over the years?

SUP Kultur was born in 2013. Together with two former partners, we started a small rental at Lake Zürich with a clear mission—to de-stress Swiss bankers with paddling. No, jokes aside, the goal was to “make people happy on the water.” Stand-up paddling was new, and Lake Zürich is a dream to paddle in the summer. With almost no wind and great weather, we had perfect conditions for beginners every day.

In 2014, I proposed a major innovation for the rental process. I designed an iOS app and a SUP station that allowed people to rent boards on their own without staff involvement—in a vending machine-style system. It turned out to be too much innovation for my former partners, and they decided to abandon ship.

In 2016, Alain Luck, a SUP athlete, flat-water monster, and Starboard team rider at the time, joined me. We immediately got along well, traveled together to races, went to China for the ISA Worlds, and expanded the company to four rental stations around Lake Zürich. By 2019, we had nearly 12,000 rental clients per season, started collaborating with city authorities to offer paddle events for children and schools, organized large company events with up to 100 people on the water at once, and had 15 employees managing operations.

Then, in 2020, the pandemic nearly killed the company. We had to lay off all staff and return to a two-man operation, struggling to survive amidst heavy restrictions. Miraculously, with the help of the Swiss Canoe Federation, we managed to stay afloat. Slowly, we recovered, got back on track, and even started growing again.

In 2022, Alain left to pursue his original career, and I was back at the helm alone. In the last few years, we’ve continued to grow and, in 2024, finally secured our own building right by the lake. Now, we are a team of 22, and 2025 will be the year we evolve into a full water sports center with various disciplines and a junior academy.

What inspired you to create the Big Paddle Challenge, and what makes it unique compared to other SUP events?

During the pandemic, I co-founded the Swiss Stand-Up Paddle Association with Naish team rider Andy Saurer. Once we got it up and running under both ICF and ISA, I realized that SUP racing isn’t sustainable without leisure/amateur paddlers. Up to now, races have often resulted in frustrating experiences for non-racers.

In 2024, SUP Kultur and WVR (Water Sport Association Richterswil) teamed up to create a paddle challenge for amateurs. The goal? A 22 km challenge along the beautiful scenery of Lake Zürich towards the small village of Richterswil. It doesn’t matter what you paddle (or foil)—the only thing that matters is finishing.

Philipp Schläpfer, a local from Richterswil, chief SUP instructor at Swiss Canoe, and the watersport director at his association in Richterswil, was the perfect partner to create this challenge. Together, we successfully navigated the bureaucracy to launch the first Big Paddle Challenge in 2024.

What makes it unique is that we take the pressure off participants by not making it strictly a race. If you want to race, go ahead—your time will be recorded. But if you prefer to paddle with friends, chat, and enjoy the journey as a shared experience, then this is the perfect event for you.

Can you give us an overview of this year’s Big Paddle Challenge? What are the main race categories, distances, and any new features for this edition?

The challenge is a 22 km track along the shoreline of Lake Zürich, with breathtaking views of the Alps and crystal-clear waters. SUP, surfski, OC, canoe, kayak, rowboats—every craft and every person are welcome. There is only one distance for all crafts.

With two refuel stops along the way, the goal is to overcome the long distance and your own mental barriers while having a great time with like-minded people. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a crowd at the event village in Richterswil.

In 2024, we had Jérôme Baudoux foil the entire 22 km non-stop in an incredible 1 hour and 44 minutes. In 2025, we hope to see even more long-distance foilers joining the event.

This year, the Big Paddle Challenge is part of the newly created Swiss Marathon Paddle Cup. Can you tell us more about this series and how your event fits into it?

The Swiss Marathon Paddle Cup is an event series managed and supported by Swiss Canoe. It has existed for a long time and focuses on bringing all types of paddlers and watersport athletes onto the water.

Zürich is a beautiful setting for paddling. What makes the location of the Big Paddle Challenge special, and what kind of conditions can participants expect?

The event starts in the heart of Zürich, Switzerland’s largest metropolis. Great transportation connections, easy access, and fantastic infrastructure make it very convenient for participants.

In 2024, we had 28°C, sunshine, zero wind, and crystal-clear waters. We offer transport and logistics for personal belongings and gear, so participants don’t have to worry about anything.

For international participants traveling to the event, what accommodation options are available in Zürich? Are there any recommendations for those coming from abroad?

The event is perfect for spending a weekend in Zürich. You can drop off your gear as early as Friday afternoon. There are plenty of parking options and great public transportation access for those coming from abroad.

Zürich has a wide range of beautiful hotels. If you want to stay downtown, we recommend:

– **MOTEL One:** Google Maps Link
– **CitizenM Zürich Hotel:** Google Maps Link

For budget-friendly options, we recommend:

– **Green Marmot Capsule Hotel:** Google Maps Link

All of these hotels have direct public transportation options to the race start.

For more information about the Big Paddle Challenge 2025 and to register, go to:
> www.supkultur.ch/thebigpaddle/