The Newport Marina served as the start and finish point for the second Seven Towers SUPRace, which took place as part of Travemünde Week. Over 70 paddlers from Lübeck, the Hansebelt, Hamburg, Berlin, Hanover and the Netherlands took part. Seven competitors qualified for the 2026 Finals in Hanover. The wind posed a particular challenge at the start; all paddlers had to line up on the starting line. The race began with the paddlers in a seated position, and they jumped off their boards into a standing position when the starting signal was given. After passing the Burgtor Bridge, the athletes were able to make the most of a long downwind section.
Lots of spectators lining the course
The waterways around the Old Town island remained open to regular traffic during the race. Eight boats from THW and DLRG secured various narrow passages, ensuring a smooth passage. The largely sheltered waterways provided good protection from the wind. There were occasional brief delays when passing under bridges, as participants had to manoeuvre round obstacles. Numerous spectators on the bridges and along the banks cheered the paddlers on loudly. The XXLSUP from Exeo e. V., with eight paddlers on board, received particularly loud applause at the finish line. The organisation Exeo e. V. supported the event for the first time with hands-on activities at the quayside and offered free rides on the Hanse raft.
Normen Weber from Augsburg won the men’s long-distance race over ten kilometres in 56 minutes and 23 seconds. Benyam Bossack, born in 2008, came second in 56 minutes and 26 seconds. Marlon Cem Daskiran, also born in 2008, shared third place with Ole Schwarz, born in 1997; both crossed the finish line in 58 minutes and 57 seconds. In the women’s race, Oda Diestel, born in 2003, won in one hour, four minutes and ten seconds. Marin Hoeboer, born in 2010, followed in second place with a time of one hour, six minutes and 50 seconds. Laila Joyce Daskiran, born in 2009, completed the podium in one hour, seven minutes and ten seconds. Jan Lindenau, Mayor of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, congratulated the winners in person.
The second edition of the Seven Towers SUPRace was very well received by the participants. Many athletes from outside the area spontaneously announced their intention to take part in 2027. The location and the circuit running directly around the old town delighted the paddlers; at the event site at The Newport Marina, there were new SUP models to view and try out, as well as further activities organised by the sponsors. The Lübeck race forms part of the new Nordic SUP League, with further races taking place in Hanover in October and in Hamburg in November. The event was made possible by The Newport Restaurant & Marina, which provided the venue and organised the event, as well as Travemünder Woche, which managed the race. The SUP Sport Club Lübecker Bucht e. V. provided numerous helpers; 15 volunteers secured the bridges, whilst a further 20 helpers from the DLRG and THW were on duty with eight safety boats.
All results at manage2sail.com, Information about the event can be found at 7tsup.de.
