Glagla Race : the paddle race in winter on the lake of Annecy

The Glagla Race: an amazing and freezing cold massive stand up paddle race on Lake Annecy

The Glagla Race will take place from January 20 to 22, 2023 from Talloires-Montmin - Lake Annecy for the 8th time.

The term “glagla” basically means “teeth-chattering cold” in French. The temperature can drop to -15°C (5°F) during the night.

"Paddling in the middle of winter, under the snow, in the Alps with water at 4 ° c…."

Far from the classic images of the competitions organized in California or Hawaii on white sandy beaches bordered by coconut palms, the small GlaGla Race has become over the years an essential stop on the world circuit.

Since the first GlaGla Race in 2014, the number of participants has increased tenfold! 40 in 2014, 100 in 2015, 200 in 2016, 350 in 2017, 495 in 2018 and 720 in 2022 from 25 different countries! How many participants in 2023?

For paddle board enthusiasts of all skill levels, this is a race you need to have done at least once in your life.

The GlaGla Race brings together the best paddlers in the world and newcomers for whom it is often the first competition in which they participate. During the 2018 edition, Travis Grant, quadruple winner of the mythical Molokai-2-Oahu (one of the toughest races in the world between two Hawaiian islands, in the middle of the ocean), came specially from Hawaii to participate. In 2020, Titouan Puyo (world champion) came from New Caledonia, Ty Judson from Australia and Fiona Wylde from the United States

In Talloires, by the lake and at the foot of the snow-capped mountains!

Talloires-Montmin, during winter, is a very small peaceful village on the shores of Lake Annecy and at the foot of the mountains (there is even a small ski resort on the heights of the village). The atmosphere is magical and inspires paddlers around the world.

From Friday 20, competitors and spectators will be able to come and meet the champions, take part in activities on land, on and even in the lake! The races are scheduled for Saturday 21 (weather conditions permitting) and on Sunday 22 everyone is invited to go up to Le Grand-Bornand, both a traditional village and an influential ski resort to ski and meet at altitude to enrich the experience, and to slide on the snow after sliding on the water.

A popular, festive and offbeat event

The GlaGla Race provides the adrenaline of an event that is a little tricky (with the icy water of the lake) while being very accessible (with a 3.5km beginner course) as well as spectacular (with the participation of the world’s best men and women) and in a joyful atmosphere (everyone living up the opportunity  of taking part.)

A TV set and a LIVE broadcast

The organizers and TV8 Mont-Blanc are renewing and improving their media system with a TV set open to partners and the press and live coverage of the race with drones and cameramen on board of boats. In 2022, this live broadcast on many channels had set the world broadcast record for a stand up paddle race!

The 2023 GlaGla Race program

Friday January 20

11 a.m: Reception of participants and collection of bibs

12h00: Lunch (several food trucks will be present)

2 p.m.-5 p.m .: Afternoon activities: conferences, discussions, clinics, paddle yoga, Sauna, massages

All afternoon: equipment tests with the partner brands present, in particular Red Paddle Co, partner since 2015 of the GlaGla Race.

Saturday 21 January

7:30 am / 9:30 am: Reception of participants and collection of bibs

9.45am: Briefing

 10:00 am: Warm-up

10:15 am : LIVE broadcast starts

10:30 am: Start of  VSD, SD, LD

12:30 p.m. / 1:30 p.m .: lunch

1 p.m.-2 p.m .: Dragon Race: 4-person race (on loaned Red Paddle Co Dragon, free)

2:30 p.m .: Technical Race

4.30 p.m .: Prize giving

5.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m .: Live music & bar

Sunday 22 January

Reserve day in case of bad weather on Saturday

Or ski day in Grand-Bornand with a special rate for GlaGla Race participants (-30%) with animations on the snow in stand up paddle and ski!