The first “open” SUP Championships in Germany were held September 8, 2012 as part of the SUP & Kite festival in Pelzerhaken. Nearly 50 athletes from all over Germany found their way to Schleswig Holstein’s East Coast to determine Germany’s fastest paddler.

Two disciplines had to be mastered – a sprint distance of 500 meters and a long distance of 3.5 kilometers – to claim the title of German SUP Champion. The weather was not ideal with breezy winds and small chop but that did not hinder athletes in giving their best to the cheering crowds.

German Naish rider and SUP representative in the German Canoe Association Olaf Schwarz took top podium in the long distance race 12’6″ class. In the women’s it was Naish’s Sonni Hönscheid winning both the 14′ long distance and the 12’6″ sprint discipline.

Congratulations goes out to both paddlers!