Interview with the head coach of SEPA

Don’t miss this interview with the SEPA coach who talks about work, life and other things. With very clear ideas, whether you agree or not, this mother has already forged great SUP champions

Please give us a brief introduction of yourself…

My name is C silla Hasulyo, Head Coach of SEPA, Strength and Endurance Performance Academy.

With 2 Master Degrees from the Hungarian University of Sport Sciences, I have been working for over 30 years on the development and rehabilitation of athletes.

Besides the Western Scientific System, since a young age I researched and studied the deep knowledge of the East (China – India) and their approach to health, to healing and energy systems, that I have successfully integrated in my professional work.

I was born in Hungary and like every little girl, I dreamed of becoming a ballerina. This should lead to the conclusion that I am a Woman, although over the past years, I have encountered many very interesting situations and looks, because as it seemed it is the accepted that only big solid men could be successful SUP Coaches.

Instead of ballerina, I became a professional marathon runner, at the time, among the bests of the Nation, in Hungary and pursued both professional and scientific careers.

What does SEPA mean?

SEPA is an acronym, and stands for: STRENGTH & ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE ACADEMY. These words represent very well the essence of my work. The past 7 years, I have mostly focused on Stand Up Paddleboarding, but also athletes from different disciplines have achieved remarkable victories under my guidance.

How is your “Theory of Load” different, then others’ more conventional theories?

As I mentioned before, I have been intrigued by alternative sciences and the oriental healing methods since I was very young.

I have been researching and studying for over 30 years, the gravitational forces effect on the human body and the corresponding loading potential, while I also got my master’s degree in Sport Sciences. I have integrated this knowledge in a new theory of load capacity, and I determine the specific training load of each of my athletes accordingly, to optimize performance and regeneration. I currently apply this theory to the training of the elite SUP athletes.
This load theory could be used by all coaches across all sports. It is useful to prevent over training and injuries related to overload and to guarantee the highest quality and quantity of work at every session.

Which Victories are you the most proud of?

I believe that only very few Mom could say that both of their sons became World Champions in the same sport and while being their coach. Well, I would add that we have to train too, it’s not enough to watch…

Although, to be honest I never wanted my children to become professional athletes, but what to do, the genes prevailed.

All the medals from the World Championships, the victories in New Zealand, Bilbao, at the Paris Crossing, and the latest at the Gla Gla Race, are very dear to my heart. Luckily, I got to the point where it would be difficult to list and sort them all. …and naturally, as an ex ultra-endurance athlete, all the successes at the SUP 11 City Tours over the years fill me up with warm heartly feelings and proud moments.

Daniel’s and Bruno’s results at the SUP 11 City Tour are exceptional in the 14 years history of the event, and we have worked really hard for this.
No other coaches’ disciples have collected as many medals as the 2 of them, plus the NON Stop athletes. Bruno won 4 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze. Daniel has 1 gold and 2 silver. In total we have 9 medals, and also this year, for the 15^th Anniversary jubilee edition, we are going back hungry to WIN the elite race.
Besides my sons, I am beyond proud of Janneke Smits NON Stop Gold Medal and Richard Proost’s NON Stop bronze and would like to give a massive shout out to all my amateur athletes that have successfully finished grueling 220kms of Friesland.

Here is a quick summary since 2015. If we sum up the results of the World Championships and the 11 city tours, we get fantastic numbers. These numbers show the results when the riders have been working with me.

12 gold medals
6 silver medals
4 bronze medals.

It’s wonderful what the guys have achieved! I’m not just talking about our own sons!

What’s the secret behind your success?

Rock solid, strict, systematic work and the way I apply and combine science and methodology, while keeping myself constantly up to date with the scientific world. Continuous self-education is essential to keep up and stay at least one step ahead of the world.

Not coming from a rowing background, means I don’t have kayaking, canoe, or VAA based conditionings. I started building the SUP sports movement with a clean slate, on a physiological, biomechanical, and orthopedic basis. This is a huge difference compared to other SUP coaches. In the creation of the SEPA Paddle Technique, expediency, efficiency, energy storing, and injury-freeness were my main focus points.

Moreover, my goal in life is to keep my athletes healthy, free from injury, and, of course, achieve world-class success.

What do you do? What do you like, when not thinking as a professional coach?

I love classical music, arts, good books and fine red wines. I am impressed by the technical innovations. I love to cook, and I feel best and at peace when I am in Nature. Besides, I can’t even imagine my life without a daily workout. I like to create something and I like to create harmony in my surroundings.

How do you keep so fit and keep up with the pace?

Working with young athletes keeps you young, they say. Well, I would add that we have to train too, it’s not enough to watch…

I exercise at least an hour a day to stay fit both physically and mentally. I don’t want to slow down working with my athletes, because of me!

I usually run 3-4 times a week, I do extra kettlebell workouts or special strength workouts, plus I do stretching in yoga poses.
Of course, at any time I get on an SUP, jump on a bike or a horse.
I don’t eat too much, I’ve been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for over 30 years. I avoid chemicals and toxins in both nutrition and body care. If possible, I make all of these myself from raw materials from a controlled source. I also try to pass this knowledge on to my athletes.
I believe that maintaining health cannot be treated as a cure. It’s a way of life, a total approach that I recommend to everyone! I have developed my daily, weekly routines, this provides a framework for everyday life. That way, I won’t forget about my own health either.

In summary: daily sports, a few controlled meals that I prepare myself, lots of clean water, pressurizing special acupuncture points, 7-8 hours of sleep a day, mental activity, moderate amounts of red wine in the evenings.

As a Woman, how do you balance professional coaching and private life?

Oh yeah, it’s not easy, but I’m doing my best. Above all, I try to stay a feminine woman in a male-oriented sport. Because of my tiny stature and blonde hair, they sometimes look for the coach in disbelief, wondering if it’s me. Professionally, I have several different periods in my life. During the foundations, the coaching work is the most important and time spent with competitors.

I have a little more time during the competition season, although I am in daily contact with my professional athletes, anywhere they are. Despite the big gaps in the time zones, they can always count on me.

November to December is supposed to be the rest period unless there is a World Championship in November. December is for the Family, and the baking of lots of gingerbread cookies …… then comes January and the foundation period…. and there goes the next season.
I am lucky because I have a loving family and my husband around me who is there to help and support me in everything that I do. My husband and I met at university, he is also a sports professional, so let’s say we “train” a lot outside of training too. We make a team; this is how my life is round.

It’s no secret that we’re a real SUP Family, as every member of the family is a professional in some area of SUP, so it’s no wonder we often talk about SUP at dinner.

Who are SEPA’s Elite athletes for the 2022 Racing Season?

What are your plans for this year and the upcoming seasons?

Naturally, I want to see my competitors on the podium of every major race. Winning is our DNA.
This takes a lot of work and a lot of attention and care from my part.
I would also like to get to as many places as possible to teach and spread the SEPA Paddle Technique among the young generations and their coaches.

One of my long-term plans is to publish my special Theory of Load in the form of a scientific book so that it would become available to all coaches and interested athletes.

In order, I must systematize the results of the last 30 years of measurements, which is very time consuming.
My vision is for this book to meet all scientific expectations and standards, and as I can foresee it would take me at least a dedicated year to systematize all the data. At the moment still, I don’t see when I’ll have time to take this one year off, as active coaching absorbs all my focus. So, for now, only the professional athletes of SEPA can enjoy the benefits of my work.

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