From surf breaks to the race start line: Tomás Lacerda returns to Sesimbra for the European SUP League Grand Finale

In just a couple of days, the highly anticipated Portuguese stop takes centre stage, with the European SUP League (ESL) Grand Finale heading to Sesimbra from 11-13 September. Held as part of the Sesimbra SUP Festival and hosted by Surf Clube de Sesimbra, the final weekend promises a high-stakes conclusion to the ESL season, with league titles on the line and the next generation of young SUP talent ready to make the leap from the junior ranks into the Open division.

For Madeira-born big-wave surfer and professional SUP racer Tomás Lacerda, Sesimbra is about more than the final race of the European SUP League (ESL) season. It marks a return to a place with real personal significance. In 2024, Tomás claimed the Portuguese National SUP Surf title at Praia das Bicas. Now, he returns to the same waters – this time not to surf, but to race.

Tomás’ story sits at an interesting crossroads between two deeply connected worlds: SUP and surfing. His journey offers a glimpse into how the two disciplines can complement each other, while also revealing what he’s been up to since his last national competition and why returning to Sesimbra feels particularly special.

And his motivation is refreshingly simple: “Reconnect with the SUP world, see friends I really miss and create some great memories”.

Hi Tomás, welcome back to TotalSUP! We know you’ve been spending a lot of time surfing and travelling lately. What have you been up to, and how has that side of your life been shaping what you’re doing in SUP?

First of all, thank you for thinking of me. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with TotalSUP. My life has changed a lot since winning the European title in 2023. That achievement gave me a real sense of fulfilment and encouraged me to explore new challenges in surfing and big waves. I also opened a surf school and secured a few sponsorships, which pushed me to promote myself as a surfer again.

Even so, SUP – together with CrossFit – continues to be one of my main tools for staying fit. SUP racing is still part of my life, but it hasn’t been my main focus lately. Within SUP, I’ve been much more focused on SUP surfing… although I can never say no to a good sprint!

Image courtesy of Tomás Lacerda

You’ve always moved between surfing and SUP, but what is it that keeps bringing you back to SUP racing? What do you still love about competing on a race board?

I’ve always seen SUP as one of the best forms of physical training for surfing. When I grew tired of competing on the WSL Pro Junior circuit, I decided to focus on SUP, and that was really where my career began. But the most special thing SUP gave me was friendship.

I made friends for life, many of them in Spain – Fernando Perez, Joan García, Antonio Morillo, Aarón Sanchez, Duna Gordillo and many others. That was also one of the reasons I decided to start training with Manolo. I think that’s ultimately what keeps bringing me back to SUP: seeing my friends again, spending time with them and sharing those moments.

You’ve already had a special result in Sesimbra, winning the 2024 Portuguese National SUP Surf title at Praia das Bicas. What have you learned about this coastline through surfing that you think could help you when you line up for the SUP race?

Sesimbra is an incredible place – it’s beautiful, and I also have people there who mean a lot to me. Tiago Ezequiel was a close friend of my father, and we’ve always had a great relationship. The same goes for Filipe Meira. We competed against each other for many years, and between him winning and me winning, we built a really good friendship.

I couldn’t be there last year because I tore a ligament in my hip during a surf trip. So, as soon as registrations opened this year, I immediately thought: “Let’s go – even if it’s just to have fun!”

Now you’re returning to Sesimbra for the European SUP League, this time bringing your surfing experience to a race environment. What are you most looking forward to?

My main goal is to enjoy myself! Whenever I’ve had fun and felt relaxed, I’ve achieved the best results of my career – and this year will be no different.

I’m going there to enjoy the experience, reconnect with the SUP world, see friends I really miss and create some great memories. It’s always special to come back. My last national competition was here, so I’m really looking forward to returning!

Tomás at the 2026 European SUP League’s opener – The World SUP Festival

With the European SUP League title and final rankings on the line, do you have a specific result you’re targeting in Sesimbra?

I don’t have any specific result in mind. I have nothing to prove to anyone, and I’m not putting any pressure on myself. I simply want to have fun and create some great memories.

You’ve experienced both surfing and SUP from the inside. In your opinion, has SUP developed its own culture and identity? What do you think makes it uniquely its own, and where do you still see the strongest connection with surf culture?

In terms of culture, I think SUP has been going through a difficult phase. It feels like we’re a little lost at sea while the different federations continue to fight over the sport. The era that made me fall in love with SUP was the time of Casper, Connor, Kai Lenny and Jamie Mitchell. Back then, it felt possible to make a living from SUP and embrace the lifestyle of being a true waterman.

Today, the landscape is very different. I think the European SUP League is a great example of how we can move in the right direction. It’s bringing SUP closer to the public again, building a strong community and helping the sport return to where I believe it belongs: within the European Surfing Federation.

For me, SUP will always belong within the surfing federations because of its lifestyle, the spectacle it creates and the beauty it brings to our sport.

What are you most hungry to achieve next, and looking ahead, do you see yourself continuing to divide your time between SUP racing and surfing, or do you think one will eventually become the bigger focus?

That’s a difficult question. I think I’ll probably maintain the balance I have right now. I have a few racing adventures in mind, but the goal is to keep using SUP racing mainly as a training tool. Whenever the opportunity comes up, I’ll compete – but with the aim of having fun and catching up with friends.

When it comes to SUP surfing, I definitely feel more motivated to compete. Still, my main focus is surfing, building my career as a big-wave surfer and continuing to grow my surf school. I love being a waterman and spending as much time as possible in the ocean. I’ve also recently started foiling, which is another exciting challenge.

I feel happy and fulfilled. Right now, I simply want to have fun and enjoy every moment the ocean gives me!

To find out more about European SUP League (ESL), visit europeansupleague.com

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*Images courtesy of European SUP League and Tomás Lacerda