On the weekend, over 400 SUP paddlers from 21 countries in 80 different teams participate in the biggest 24 hour SUP relay race in the World, the Red Bull Midsummer Vikings 2022.
* Press Release: Red Bull Midsummer Vikings
8.565 km. That is how far the 400 participants of the biggest 24-hour SUP relay event in the world, the Red Bull Midsummer Vikings in Copenhagen, Denmark, paddled this weekend under tough viking conditions!
After a great sunny day Saturday, the weather changed Sunday. In this, the 3rd edition, 400 paddlers in 80 teams from 21 countries battled through wind and heavy rain and also had to endure a 2-hour halt of the race due to safety reasons as thunder and lightning were looming in the area.’
“I’m absolutely stoked and speechless that so many happy faces created a great atmosphere here at the 3rd edition of the Red Bull Midsummer Vikings. We had a great start to the race with great weather, but unfortunately had to stop the race for safety reasons and restart it Sunday morning due to bad weather with the risk of thunder and lightning. All the participants were great about it and took on the conditions as true vikings. We had a blast this weekend,” Casper Steinfath says.
All teams were supporting the SMILE Foundation which helps chronically ill kids and teenagers to have a better life. The SMILE Foundation arranges summer camps and activities at the hospital – and some of the kids visited the Red Bull Midsummer Vikings at the start where they were out paddling with Casper Steinfath.
A total of 71.614 DKK (9.627 Euro) were collected by the participants and presented for the SMILE Foundation.
First and final lap
The Grand Depart (first lap) is for all 400 paddlers. Like at the Tour de France, all paddlers paddle the first 500 meters together before the actual start for the competing paddlers. The final lap, called the Champagne Lap, is also for all paddlers. At 13.00 Sunday afternoon, we set off at a low speed to finalize the Red Bull Midsummer Vikings.
A new event this year was the Social Friday where teams on Naish mega SUP boards battled on a 200 meter course around the lagoon, a nice BBQ