The Planet Baltic SUP Race returned to Kołobrzeg, Poland, from 5–8 August for its ninth edition, bringing together an international field of SUP racers for three days of sprint, technical and long-distance racing on the Baltic Sea.
One of Northern Europe’s few major open-water SUP races, Planet Baltic is known for putting paddlers to the test in unpredictable sea conditions – and 2026 delivered plenty of variety.
More than 100 paddlers from across Europe took part, with conditions changing dramatically throughout the event. The sprint racing began in almost flat water before a significant swell arrived for the technical racing, producing challenging surf conditions around the course. Wind and a long ocean swell then provided another test for the long-distance race.
The 2026 event also introduced Downwind SUP Foiling to the programme for the first time, adding another dimension to a week already packed with racing.
Bossack and Apanasewicz take MVP honours
Germany’s Benyam Bossack retained the men’s Planet Baltic MVP title after an impressively consistent performance across all three disciplines.
Bossack won the men’s long-distance race ahead of Czech paddler Tomas Grosup and Belgium’s Kjell De Bruyn, while also finishing runner-up in both the technical race and sprint.
De Bruyn took the men’s technical victory ahead of Bossack and Grosup.
In the women’s competition, Poland’s Marta Apanasewicz continued her remarkable run at Planet Baltic, securing another overall MVP title.
Apanasewicz won both the women’s sprint and long-distance races and finished third in the technical race.
The women’s technical racing was won by Skadi Langbein, ahead of Dutch junior Marrit Miedema and Apanasewicz.
Beyond the podiums, the challenging Baltic conditions became one of the major talking points of the event, particularly during the technical racing as competitors were forced to adapt from flat-water racing to genuine surf conditions.
Planet Baltic will return in 2027 for its 10th edition, with organisers already looking ahead to the event’s anniversary year.
For more information, visit the official Planet Baltic SUP Race website.