Donato Freens

“One race and one day at a time”, that’s the journey to becoming one of the best in the sport. For Donato Freens, taking a break from social media before the final event might seem like a carefully planned strategy – or simply time to recharge away from the spotlight. Either way, “the grind continues”, […]

When grassroots rider passion sparks a thriving SUP community, backed by watersport organisations with a shared vision for growth, good things can happen. As we approach the annual charity-driven, SUP4Life event (12km canal race) and the Belgian SUP racing season finale, held on 15 December in Ghent, TotalSUP sat down with Vincent Claeskens, Founder and […]

We’ve seen firsthand over the years what it takes to fuel the growth of SUP communities by raising the profile of the sport through high-calibre competitions that attract international athletes, while also keeping local talent engaged within the scene.  This year, Chris Freeman, Co-Founder of Black Project, the Maui brand developing high-performance stand-up paddleboard fins […]

The Infinity Blackfish is undeniably one of the most renowned race boards in the SUP world. The all water design sparked up unmatched levels of buzz in 2018 when Kai Lenny returned to competition and dominated the APP World Tour Sprints in London. We were there to witness it first-hand! The eagerly awaited 2025 Blackfish […]

Loranne Vlemincx, a 14-year-old rising star from Mol, Belgium, is quickly becoming a name to watch on the international SUP scene. With a knack for long-distance racing she’s already proven her versatility bagging three gold medals (Tech, Sprint & LD)  in the Open Class Junior Girls at the SUPNL’s NK SUP Tour 2024 in the […]

“If you want to grow you need to surround yourself with people who can challenge you and from whom you can learn”, claims Kjell De Bruyn, Antwerp based 12-time Belgian National SUP Champion, Starboard Team Rider, Coach, and sport advocate, who’s already on the road, training, coaching and set to compete in international races (Poland […]

The 2024 SUP Alps Trophy Lake Rocks Festival, which took place from May 9 to May 13, was a celebration of SUP Racing set against the stunning backdrop of Faaker See, an alpine jewel nestled in southern Austria. This 2.2 square kilometer lake, with its mesmerizing turquoise waters framed by verdant landscapes and snow-capped peaks, […]

Under the radiant Sicilian sun, Mondello’s turquoise waters became the stage for a spectacular convergence of sportsmanship, fun, and music during the 2024 Water Festival. Organized by the visionary entrepreneur Vincenzo Michelucci, this event marked a significant evolution from the previous Mondello SUP Festival, expanding its horizons to embrace a multitude of water and multisport […]

The 2nd edition of the Battle for Hercules emerged as a pivotal battleground for two Starboard riders, each hailing from distinct corners of Spain’s vibrant coastline. Alba Frey, a formidable force from the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, defied expectations with a stunning victory, cementing her status as an underdog to watch. Meanwhile, Aaron Sanchez, representing […]

18-year-old Donato Freens, the rising star from the Netherlands, emerges onto the global SUP Race scene with an impressive track record. Voted SUP athlete of the year in the 2023 TotalSUP Awards, Freens has been showcasing remarkable dedication and hunger for success event after event. His recent achievements include securing the 3rd overall position on […]

The recent ICF World Championships in Thailand was probably the biggest SUP racing event of 2023, with more paddlers taking part in more race categories than ever before. One of the largest fields was for the junior racers with around 70 young men lining up to test themselves against the world’s best. One of those […]

There’s been a lot of buzz since the launch of the LIGHTBOARDCORP®PARADOXA and its debut at the SUP Alps Trophy 2023 SUPALOT stop. The Light Riders have been sweeping the podiums ever since and are now ready for the final leg of the SUP racing season. In the run up to the 2023 ICF Stand […]

Ahead of the Belgian Sprint & Technical Race Championship taking place on September 2 (and LIVE on TotalSUP!), discover the exhilarating Belgian SUP Tour through the eyes of Manuel Lauwers, a dedicated athlete hailing from the picturesque city of Antwerp in Belgium. With a passion that spans nearly a decade, Manuel has risen to prominence […]