On 9–10 August 2025, the Sailing Base of the University of Rzeszów Academic Sports Association (AZS) hosted participants of the most important student event at Lake Solina – the 23rd Edward Sądecki Memorial in Windsurfing, popularly known as the “Edi Windsurfing Cup”, along with the AZS Water Sports Festival.

The Edi Cup and Festival already boast a 23-year history and are dedicated to Edward Sądecki – university lecturer, sailing and windsurfing instructor, pioneer of board sailing in the Podkarpacie region, and founder of the aforementioned student sailing base.

Day One: Windsurfing and Omega Class Regattas

On the first day, participants competed in sailing events. The fine weather with light wind allowed for three races in the windsurfing regatta. The winner was Jakub Pomes, second place went to Jerzy Kulasa, and third to multiple past champion Tomasz Nizioł. Among the women, just as in the previous year, the winner was Anna Gil, followed by Oliwia Sladeczek in second place and Gabriela Bojan in third.

The afternoon Omega Class regatta once again drew a record number of 15 crews (90 participants), who battled for a place in the final across five qualifying races and two semi-finals. This year, the Omega regatta was held as the 1st Marek Ogrodniczek Memorial, in honour of the long-time AZS activist and Honorary Member of the AZS Main Board. In the final, victory went to the crew led by Oliwia Sladeczek, ahead of Adam Bujak’s team, with third place awarded to the crew captained by Katarzyna Knyszyńska. The evening concluded by the campfire, naturally accompanied by guitar, singing and sea shanties.

Day Two: SUP Races and the Memorial Run

The second day of sporting competition featured SUP (Stand Up Paddle) races – a form of recreational paddling on a light, often inflatable board that has recently gained great popularity. In the adult men’s category, victory went to Jakub Pomes, ahead of Piotr Matłosz and Maciej Szczupaj. In the women’s category, the winner was Marcelina Kulasa, with Ewa Świgoń second and Aleksandra Świgoń third. In the children’s category, the winner was Stanisław Piotrowski, followed by Filip Mechelewski and Adam Matuszewski. A total of 46 competitors took part in this discipline.

But the highlight of the second day was the so-called “Memorial Run” – a race on boards and other light watercraft, held in an unusual format. Each participant was required to compete in the most imaginative fancy dress possible. Once again, creativity abounded. By popular vote of both participants and the large audience, the prize for the best and most original costume went to the “Island Witches” team of Marta Pomes, Agnieszka Sladeczek and Magdalena Gruszka.

Awards and Closing

Prizes for the winners in the various competitions were presented by Professor Janusz Zieliński, President of the AZS Rzeszów Branch, as well as the Presidents of the AZS University Sports Clubs: Mateusz Salamon (University of Rzeszów) and Dr Grzegorz Sobolewski (PANS Krosno), together with Janusz Świętoniowski, board member of the Rzeszów Subcarpathian Sailing Association.

The event concluded with prizes for all participants, generously provided by sponsors, and a group photograph. In total, more than 100 athletes took part in the AZS Island Water Sports Festival and the Edi Windsurfing Cup, while the entire event gathered over 200 people. Next year, alongside the Festival, we will also celebrate the 35th anniversary of the AZS University of Rzeszów Sailing Base.

See you next year! Ahoy!