At the tip of La Torche, will take place La Torche Pro France, the stand-up paddle world cup where dozens of athletes will compete in 6 different events. This year again, 60 000 people are expected on the beaches of La Torche!
The Torche Pro France is the only international Stand Up Paddle competition counting for the World Championships organized in Europe. 32 trialists will compete to win the 8 places that will allow them to access the Main Event, the main event that will oppose the 32 best surfers in the world. On the sidelines, the Na Kama Kaï event reserved for the under 16s will reveal the future talents of tomorrow.
Rare are the competitions mixing all the disciplines. The Torche Pro France innovates with an event combining a long distance race (City Race) and a competition in the waves (Waveriding).
The stand-up paddle, not so recent
Polynesians used to stand up on big boards with a paddle to explore and trade in the lagoons of the archipelagos. In 2005, the famous Hawaiian waterman Laird Hamilton brought the SUP back to life with a more modern and radical touch. Today, the SUP invests the urban places even if its ground of predilection remains the ocean. The practice has been democratized and "SUP is becoming the sport for everyone says Clay Feeter, editor of the Stand-Up Journal. It's so popular because it's so quick to learn, easy to glide through, and has definite physical benefits.
The Stand Up World Tour
The Stand Up World Tour was created in 2009 following the exponential growth of this new discipline which is Stand Up Paddle. It is the initiative of the athletes in order to structure their high level sport practice. There are two categories: Surfing, expression in the waves and the Worlds Series, long distance events. The Waterman League is the international structure that coordinates the tour and delivers the title of World Champion.
The tests
Surfing event
- Trials: 32 athletes of which 8 will qualify for the "Main Event".
- Na Kama Kai : A competition reserved for young people under 16 years old.
- Main Event: Features the 32 best surfers in the world.
- Women : Surfing for women.
Race event
- City Race : Odet river, from Sainte-Marine to Quimper. Long distance race in calm water to the city !
Photo credits: La Torche Pro France 2014 - Ronan Gladu
