This page is a summary of our most recent posts about GlaGla Race

PADDLE VLOG_001: Snow, Wine and Cheese @ the GlaGla Race with Travis Grant

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Last month, we traveled to France for one of the biggest races in the world: the epic “GlaGla” race on the very beautiful (and absolutely freezing cold) Lake Annecy. Joining us in the French Alps was Travis Grant, the 3x Molokai champion and all-round legend of the sport (who’s used to the much warmer waters of Hawaii).

We stayed at the NSP house in the mountains where we went snowboarding, ate far too much cheese, and enjoyed an awesome side-trip around an awesome race. In the first of our Paddle Vlogs, here’s how it looked behind the scenes…

Extended Edit from the Epic GlaGla Race

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man


Relive the magic of the GlaGla Race with this extended edit from the French Alps.

Thanks to Red Paddle Co. and all the crew from the Alpine Lakes Tour for making this massive event happen (it’s now one of the biggest races in the world). See you all back at Lake Annecy in January 2019!

GlaGla Race: Tom Auber, Melanie Lafenetre Make It a French Double as 494 Brave Paddlers Create a Grand Spectacle in the Alps

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

How many paddlers can you count? 🧐🤔 The GlaGla Race was so big that this angle doesn't even show half the field. Almost 500 paddlers signed up to brave the freezing cold waters of Lake Annecy today, making the "GlaGla" one of the biggest races on the planet. Between the record field and the incredible backdrop of the French Alps, it was an amazing spectacle. Thanks to everyone that tuned in to our live stream, congrats @tomauber and @melanie_lfntr for claiming victory, and well done to everyone that completed this crazy adventure. Add the 2019 GlaGla Race to your bucket list… ❄️🏔️ @alpinelakestour @redpaddleco #glaglarace #paddleboarding #cantfeelmytoes #standuppaddle #frenchalps #redpaddleco (photo: Alexis Fernet)

A post shared by SUP Racer (Christopher Parker) (@supracer) on

Tom Auber and Melanie Lafenetre have won the 2018 GlaGla Race, as hundreds of paddlers braved the freezing cold French Alps to produce one of the largest races our sport has ever seen.

Tom claimed victory for the home nation after a frantic finish with Leo Nika — it was a literal photo finish, which is heartbreaking for Leo as it repeats the exact same scenario from 12 months ago. Italian Martino Rogai was just behind in third after pushing hard over the final kilometres, while Molokai hero Travis Grant had to settle for fourth place following a high-paced sprint to the line. The lead quartet stuck together for almost the entire 14km race, with Federico Esposito and Yanis Maire the only ones who could stay within shouting distance.

In the women’s it was all Melanie, with the 17-year-old from St. Maxime opening a commanding lead early and never looking back.

But the real story from this year’s GlaGla adventure was just how many paddlers stood on the start line. With just under 500 paddlers signed up for this crazy, cold water classic, the GlaGla is officially one of the biggest (by one measure it’s the #2 race in the world right now).

Full results from the short distance and long distance over on the official timing site.

You can also watch a full replay of our GlaGla Race Facebook Live stream.

A massive “merci beaucoup” to Benoit and the crew from the Alpine Lakes Tour, as well as title sponsor Red Paddle Co, for helping make this amazing event happen. See you back in the French Alps in January 2019!

LIVE STREAM: Full replay of the 2018 “GlaGla Race” direct from the freezing cold French Alps

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Full replay of the 2018 GlaGla Race, where a record 494 paddlers took part in this freezing but very fun adventure in the French Alps.

Congrats to Tom Auber and Melanie Lafenetre for taking the wins, and well done to everybody that finished (that was COLD).

Thanks to the whole team from the Alpine Lakes Tour and title sponsor Red Paddle Co for making this epic event happen — add the “GlaGla” to your 2019 bucket list!

Here’s why GlaGla is the first “points race” of season 2018 (we’re making big changes to the World Rankings this year)

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

We’re only 24 hours from the first big race of season 2018: The GlaGla Race in the French Alps. But the “GlaGla” isn’t just the first big race of the year, it’s going to be one of the biggest races of the year, period.

The humble GlaGla has become something of a stand up paddling phenomenon. Held in a quiet corner of France in the freezing cold depths of winter, this amazing race has officially become one of the biggest in the world after a record 494 paddlers signed up for the 2018 adventure.

Measured by the number of stand up paddlers on the same start line, the GlaGla would now rank as the #2 race in the world behind only its compatriot the Paris Crossing. Extraordinary.   → READ MORE

Paddlers are going ga ga over the GlaGla Race: there are now 455 entries (and counting) including Molokai hero Travis Grant.

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

And just like that, a cold water race on a quiet lake in the middle of the French Alps has become one of the largest stand up paddle events on the planet.

The 2018 edition of the GlaGla Race is going to be huge. The event has already attracted over 450 paddlers, including Molokai hero Travis Grant, and the contest is still 10 days away. There’s an outside chance it’ll hit 500 participants by race day (January 20th), which would put the GlaGla Race in ultra-rarefied territory that only 3 or 4 other events have ever reached.   → READ MORE

The GlaGla Race has surpassed 430 registrations and is on track to be one of the season’s biggest.

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

We’re just under two weeks away from the first big race of the seasons, the GlaGla Race in the freezing cold French Alps, and what a showdown it’s shaping up to be. Over 430 paddlers have signed up to brave the chilly waters of Lake Annecy on January 20th, and SUP Racer will be there with special guest Travis Grant to live stream the whole show on Facebook.

The GlaGla Race is also the first “points race” of season 2018, something you’ll be hearing a lot more about next week. But until then, enjoy this awesome aerial look back at last year’s event (and head over to glaglarace.com if you want to register and join the adventure).

The First Big Race of Season 2018 – The “GlaGla Race” – Is Only Three Weeks Away

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

GlaGla-Race-Annecy2018 is only hours old, but we’re already gearing up for the first big race of the season. And by big, I mean BIG.

One of my funnest adventures of 2017 was a last-minute trip to the French Alps to experience a truly unique stand up paddling event: The GlaGla Race. Held on the near-freezing waters of beautiful Lake Annecy and surrounded by tall, snow-capped peaks, the GlaGla Race is part-race/part-adventure, and this year it’s expected to attract more than 400 brave competitors to this chilly corner of France.   → READ MORE

The GlaGla Race: Here’s another freezing cold French race for your bucket list (January 2018).

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Here’s another one for your bucket list! The “GlaGla Race” is returning to the beautiful French Alps on the 20th of January as part of the Alpine Lakes Tour.

Up to 500 paddlers are expected to brave sub-zero temperatures for what is fast becoming one of the world’s biggest races (sound familiar?). We’ll be there, and if you want to join the adventure head to glaglarace.com to reserve your spot today…

Extended Highlights from the GlaGla Race

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

GlaGla-paddleboarding-race-videoHere’s the full length edit from last weekend’s big GlaGla Race, where over 300 paddlers enjoyed one of the coldest but most beautiful events on the calendar.

Thanks to the organisers for creating such a crazy fun race. Save the date for next year’s race: January 20th, 2018.   → READ MORE

Epic Drone Footage from the 350-Strong ‘GlaGla’ Race

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

GlaGla-paddleboard-race-FranceTake a look at this unreal footage from yesterday’s big GlaGla Race in the French Alps, where Martin Letourneur, Leo Nika and Olivia Piana led a field of over 300 paddlers around a very cold but very beautiful Lake Annecy.

The sight of hundreds of paddlers charging off the start line is absolutely amazing   → READ MORE

Watch: The Red ‘Dragon’ Unleashed in the French Alps

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Red-Dragon-paddleboarding-videoCheck out this awesome drone footage from today’s GlaGla Race here in the French Alps, featuring the crazy 22ft inflatable from Red Paddle Co known as the Dragon.

In case you haven’t been following this story over the past few months, the ‘Dragon’ is a 22ft long behemoth that’s been designed for a unique style of teams racing.    → READ MORE

Martin Letourneur, Olivia Piana Win the ‘GlaGla Race’ as 345 Paddlers Descend on Beautiful Lake Annecy in the French Alps

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

In brief: Martin Letourneur and Olivia Piana have taken out the 2017 GlaGla Race in the French Alps, with a massive 345 competitors descending upon a cold but sunny Lake Annecy in what was an amazing celebration of the sport.

After 13km of flat and sometimes foggy paddling, Martin edged out world number 13 Leo Nika by the narrowest of margins, winning a photo finish with an official margin of 0.6 seconds.   → READ MORE

Next Stop… Lake Annecy, France for the Massive ‘GlaGla Race’ in the Snow-Covered Alps

posted by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

gla-gla-race-stand-up-paddlingThe New Year brings with it fresh new excitement and anticipation, so today I’m starting a new feature called ‘Next stop…’ that’ll focus on the races I’m really excited about traveling to and being part of in 2017.

Over the coming weeks and months, I’m going to highlight some of the awesome international events that offer paddlers incredible experiences. And my first stop in the new year is Lake Annecy, France for the GlaGla Race on Jan 21.   → READ MORE