These heroes will be supping the Elfstedentocht for charity
It sounds like an impossible challenge, but in early September* nine heroes will be supping the Elfstedentocht to raise money for the Mentelity Foundation. One of them is Herman van den Berg of Boardguru. "I see what the Mentelity Foundation means to people with physical challenges. No gold can compete with that," Herman says.
The nine participants are all part of Team Fanatic Sup Benelux, and each will complete the 220-kilometer trek on a SUP board. "Three athletes will do it in a five-day trip. The other six will be supping non-stop and will be on the board for a minimum of 24 hours in a row," said Herman, who himself plans to cover the route in one trip.
It's all about Mentelity.
You don't just do an Elfstedentocht supping and so you train hard. "You can compare it to training for a marathon," Herman explains. "Sometimes you train for speed and then again for long distances. The longest training we have is 75 kilometers. The rest of the run we're going to do on technique and willpower. So as they say at the Mentelity Foundation: It's all about Mentelity."
Herman has known Bibian Mentel and Edwin Spee for a long time. "They have a special place in my heart. We've also been helping during the Mentelity SUP days for years and that's where we see what the Foundation means to people. No gold can compete with that."
Support this action
And that is exactly why the athletes will be raising money for the Mentelity Foundation. "That way the Mentelity Foundation can help even more people. It's nice to be able to contribute to that." Money will be raised in a variety of ways. "We give lectures, SUP clinics and people can donate on the special action page. Our goal is to raise at least €11,000. We thought that was appropriate for the challenge we are taking on."
Do you want to support this action? Take a look at the special action page of Boardguru or donate directly on the action page of Team Fanatic Sup Benelux.
Watch the aftermovie of the 2019 Sup11 City Tour here:
*The organization of the Sup11 City Tour is doing everything possible to make the event go ahead on the scheduled date. The advantage of Suppen is that it happens outdoors.