The allure of the SUP Alps Trophy: That’s why Andy Klotz is always there, yet never actually takes part

​You’ve been photographing the Alps Trophy for many years. You probably don’t get rich doing it. Or do you? What else keeps it interesting for you in the long run?

Haha… No, you certainly won’t get rich from it. I mainly do it because I really enjoy the sport and, above all, the community that has formed around the Alps Trophy, and I look forward to it every summer.

Which genre of photography do you enjoy most?

Every discipline has its own appeal. Long-distance: filming the start with a drone and, at the same time, from the side with a normal camera. Tech Race: definitely the action at the beach start. And the fierce battles as the race heads towards the finish. The closer the competition gets, the more exciting the pictures become.

The tighter the action gets, the more exciting the images become. “

Do you have a favourite perspective?

Anyone familiar with my photos will know that I like to take pictures from a low angle. This also allows me to capture an interesting gradient of blur, from the water’s surface right up to the actual subject – the paddler – in the frame. For me, that makes the photo more exciting.

Is there a photo that would capture the essence of the Alps Trophy particularly well?

The first thing that springs to mind is the start of this year’s Alps Trophy on Lake Faaker See, where hundreds of enthusiastic SUP athletes line up at the starting line and then race at full speed towards the first buoy. ‘Racing’ might sound a bit of an exaggeration to someone unfamiliar with the sport, but the top paddlers shoot off from the start at 13–14 km/h. That’s quite something.

Do you just look at the picture when you’re ‘at work’, or do you follow the race and get caught up in the excitement?

I’m definitely rooting for them. I’ve known most of the competitors personally for many years. Sometimes I’m not entirely impartial either (grins).

Is there a particular moment that has made a special impression on you or moved you personally?

Every event has its special moments; that’s what makes it so appealing. I’m always impressed by how hard even the youngest competitors now fight for a good placing and just how much fun they have doing it. And if they don’t succeed, they’re given a hug and comforted – even by their rivals.

What do you think of the atmosphere amongst the participants? After all, many of them have been taking part for years.

I think everyone taking part in the SUP Alps Trophy sees themselves as a family by now. When the race weekend is just around the corner, we look forward to a big family get-together. I reckon that sums up the atmosphere amongst the participants quite well. And as you’ve already mentioned, many have been involved for so long – ever since Alois (Ed.: Alois Mühlegger) launched the event back in 2014 as the successor to the 4-Seen-Trophy and the German SUP Trophy.

"The race weekend is like a big family reunion."

What has changed the most at the Alps Trophy over the last ten years?

It’s much more professional these days. On a single day, the organisers now manage up to 600 starts – as was the case this year at the Sprint Race on Lake Faaker See. A well-organised and clearly communicated schedule forms the basis for this. Added to this are professional timekeeping, the live stream and professional commentators. It’s a shame that here in Germany there aren’t enough sponsors for an event to make another tour stop on the same scale as the one at Lake Faaker See possible. After all, this level of professionalism costs more than can be covered by entry fees alone.

Is there something special about each of the six different locations and events that makes the respective lake or event particularly worth visiting?

The tour stops I’m familiar with are world-class. I don’t attend them all, but I’m convinced that every event is worth a visit.

What would be your top tip for someone who wants to take up competitive canoeing?

At every stop on the tour, there are also race categories where complete beginners can put their skills to the test. Here, the paddlers don’t have to compete against the pros, but can test their own limits. However, a solid basic paddling technique and a good level of fitness are essential.

I don’t think you’ve ever taken part yourself. Why not?

Alois once offered to waive the entry fee for my family and me if I took a few photos. That was years ago at Lake Starnberg. I thought that, given my kayaking background, it would be a piece of cake – but it wasn’t. I overestimated myself back then and ended up completely knackered, paddling across the finish line with the stragglers.
When I’m taking photos, I don’t have any time for anything else. On a race weekend, my working day starts at 8 am, and whilst the others are already relaxing with their after-work ice cream sundae or a well-deserved cold drink, I’m still sitting there for a few more hours editing and sorting through the best shots. I want to make everyone’s photos available online on the evening of the event itself – that’s my aim. So far, it’s worked out, no matter how large the field of participants has been.

What should people who have never attended this series of events themselves know about it?

Go along, have a look, let yourself be inspired, and then take to the water yourself. Many people will be surprised to learn that SUP is also a demanding, high-performance sport.

Andy, thank you very much, and may the light always be with you!