In the "SUPer Types" series, we regularly introduce the movers and shakers of the SUP scene.
Maik Wieloch is a paddle enthusiast and offers training, advice and sales or simply a contact point for friends and fans of KEY2FUN. In this interview, Maik explains why he wants to turn the Sauerland into a paddling mecca.
What are your roots in water sports?
I've been kitesurfing since the end of the 90s. I was in my early 20s and often travelled to the coast with friends.
Can you also kite in South Westphalia?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. On the one hand, it is prohibited by the water owner and there wouldn't even be enough space for it.
Was that also a reason to start SUP ten years ago? Or how did your SUP addiction start?
I've always been married to water sports. Ten years ago, I ended up in the Sauerland. There are beautiful lakes here, but kitesurfing is not an option, so I had to come up with something. At the time, the SUP trend was just coming over from America and I thought "why don't you give it a try".
But I didn't want to make a pure online shop like that. Anyone can do that. Above all, I wanted to pass on the experience, the joy, the enthusiasm that we had.
And when did you really get started with SUP as a business in the Sauerland?
It really started in 2020, 2021, during the coronavirus period. People were almost locked in, but they also wanted to get out. The weather was good, so a lot of people approached me and asked what I thought about stand-up paddling. They wanted advice. They asked me because nobody knew exactly what they needed or what they should buy. And I had already been doing this for many years at the time - and was suddenly in demand. The business idea then came from friends over a beer in the evening: "Why don't you set up a company, you can do it, you have the connections," they said. There wasn't yet a regional trade in SUPs. But I didn't want to set up an online shop like that. Anyone can do that. Above all, I wanted to pass on the experience, the joy and the enthusiasm that we had. The company was then founded in 2021 and its fan community has been growing ever since.
Who is behind KEY2FUN?
In principle, it's still a one-man show. But it is currently becoming increasingly difficult to run everything on your own, because customers will overrun you at some point. My aim is therefore to create more jobs in the company. However, KEY2FUN is not supported by me alone, but also by the fan community and my circle of friends. These are people who have come along as interested parties, perhaps tried out a board and then found their enthusiasm for the sport. Without these people, the company would only be worth half as much to me. Because we don't just want to sell and hire out boards, we want to offer more.
What fascinates me is that it's a sport for everyone. Regardless of whether you've already had experience with board sports or not.
What fascinates you most about stand-up paddling?
What fascinates me is that it's a sport for everyone. It doesn't matter whether you've already had experience with board sports or not. And of course the diversity. You can have a cosy after-work chill-out on the board, or you can take a more sporty approach, even with competitions, or you can go on tour. We have an internal leaderboard based on age, where a 73-year-old female paddler is ahead of a 72-year-old male paddler. They had never stood on a board before in their lives. And after an hour, I was able to convey not only their enthusiasm, but also the basics of the sport - how to do it properly, how to stand safely on the board.
But it's also about socialising after paddling, with a barbecue and beer.
Our aim is to become a kind of mecca for sport and recreation in the region. With a fixed station as a place where you can meet up with friends and chat about SUP.
Local recreation is a good keyword. What makes your region special?
It is still very unspoilt here and you have an incredible number of sporting opportunities. You can go hiking, horse riding, mountain biking and of course water sports. It is not for nothing that the Sauerland is very well developed for tourism.
What tips do you have for paddlers in the region?
The lakes are always suitable for family outings. In autumn, we also like to go further north down the Lippe. There are tours of up to 28 kilometres. In the Bergisches Land region, the Sülz is a challenging paddling river with a few rapids, and you can also paddle 17 or 18 kilometres down it.
Has the SUP scene changed noticeably in recent years? In the beginning, it was mainly sport paddlers.
The discounters, who sell boards for a penny, have made it more of a popular sport. It's not just those who, like us, have been practising the sport for decades. Prices have slipped to the point where even the average family can afford to buy or rent a board. And customers have also realised that you can not only pedal through the countryside on an e-bike, but also do some really sporty water sports.
Safety is also a top priority for you.
Yes, of course, it's important to me that the customer gets a good briefing in the hire shop. Many have never done this before. Nevertheless, I have the DLRG number in my mobile phone. Last year, I also launched an appeal in the Meinerzhagener Zeitung newspaper for the use of leashes, for example. I want to help prevent accidents - even before the sport is no longer allowed to be practised.
Our aim is to become a kind of mecca for sport and recreation in the region.
What is the interaction like between paddlers and the community and conservationists?
We always give you a briefing on the nature conservation areas before you hire a boat so that there are no problems. On the Lister, for example, they are cordoned off with buoys. As an old Berliner, I say 'if I catch someone on my board there, I'll get a paddle in the back of the neck' (laughs). There are also dangerous areas such as the drinking water taps that you should be aware of.
But most areas in the region are free for paddling?
Yes, except for a few areas - such as the danger to life, nature conservation and swimming areas. This is always explained to our customers, whether they are renting or buying.
Do you not only lend and sell, but also offer courses?
We even offer specialised courses such as yoga, for example. Otherwise, beginners' courses where you simply learn how to paddle and make the best progress. But also courses for paddling on the rivers. They're all about equipment and paddling techniques. I'm a river person myself.
Do you also take people on river tours?
Yes, but it's not commercial, it's more with friends and the fan community. We make appointments and organise the shuttle service and catering. However, the organisation is often done by me and the company.
Back to your main business: What special services do you provide?
We don't sell a board blank, we configure the equipment for the customer according to their wishes. We also offer the option of testing different types of boards from different manufacturers across all brands without obligation before buying. You pay the normal hire fee for this and I deduct this completely from the purchase price. And I also help customers who may have problems with their existing cheap boards from the grocery store, if at all possible. These could also be my potential customers of tomorrow. They've fallen on their arse once and will buy something good the second time round.
Can you be found on site during the season?
In any case. But you can also make individual appointments with me. The contact addresses are all on the website.
What criteria do you use to choose your partners?
These are all well-known brand manufacturers such as JP-Australia, Naish and Makaio, for example. These are our main suppliers. So I cover the whole spectrum. We have also tested most of the boards ourselves. In some cases, we also had prototypes to which we gave our input: Whether the nose should have less rocker or the tail should be cut differently, we are sometimes involved as developers. Also because we can ask normal end users about the boards at our events.
My key to having fun is when I can transfer the enthusiasm I have for the sport to others.
Do you also print a SUP brochure every year?
This is a 36-page sales brochure aimed at the normal end customer, who should first get an overview. It only contains inflatable boards (ed.: inflatable SUPs) because very few people can afford or want a hardboard - simply because of the storage. In it, we have a guide explaining the different types of boards, as well as safety tips and tour suggestions. The brochure is available free of charge on site. You can also read it online via our website.
What other plans do you have up your sleeve?
Firstly, we want to establish ourselves as a stationary point of contact. I would also like to organise more test events together with manufacturers. So that people can try out boards from Indiana and the like. And then, in the long term, we also want to organise SUP festivals like the SUP Alps Trophy. We have endless ideas.
Is KEY2Fun your main business?
In the SUP summer, from Easter to October to be precise, I do this full-time. In winter, I have a job in the Ruhr area in the electronics trade.
Where does your company name actually come from?
The idea of having our own company is an old one. Initially as a beach club. I wanted to combine my business knowledge and my water sports. KEY2FUN means "key to fun". We want to pass on the fun of water sports.
And what is your personal "key2fun"?
My key to having fun is when I can transfer the enthusiasm I have for the sport to others.
Thank you Maik for the interesting interview and good luck and have fun paddling!
Info and contact: KEY2FUN
Location by the water:
Kalberschnacke 6 in 57489 Drolshagen
