Belgian Championships SUP Technical Race: Youth Takes the Lead Despite Stormy Conditions

Last Saturday, August 24th, the Belgian Championships SUP Technical Race took place. This event was organized by the Belgian SUP Tour in collaboration with the Koksijde Yachting Club (KYC). The weather conditions were far from ideal, especially during the grand finale, with a significant storm sweeping over the coast. Despite these challenges, the participants managed to deliver impressive performances.

Dutch participants dominate, but Belgian pride remains intact

The event saw a large turnout from our northern neighbors, who were present in great numbers. The Belgian community remains somewhat reserved when it comes to sea competitions, but thanks to the efforts of KempenSUP, Belgium was still well represented.

Winners and Promises for the Future

Despite the strong winds, the organization successfully completed the races. In the men’s category, Kjell De Bruyn was crowned Belgian champion of the Technical Race 2024. He was closely followed by Thomas Dusart (U16, FR) in second place and Max Sijrier (U16, NL) in third place. In the women’s category, 14-year-old Loranne Vleminckx took the title. She was followed by Diane Koornstra (NL) in second place and Marrit Miedema (U16, NL) in third place.

A Promising Future for the Belgian SUP Sport

With the emergence of so much young talent, the future of Belgian SUP sports is assured. The dedication of both the participants and the volunteers of KYC was essential for the success of this event, especially under the challenging weather conditions.

Thank you to all participants and volunteers

A special word of thanks goes out to all the participants who dedicated themselves to this demanding course and to the KYC volunteers, without whom this competition would not have been possible.