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Anyone who has ever dipped their paddle into the icy waters of Lake Annecy in January knows what the GlaGla spirit is all about. In 2026, there will be no official race, no race village, not even a mass start. And yet, the event will go on, in a different form: the GlaGla FreeStyle, a challenge to be experienced independently, but in the spirit of the community.
An edition without official organization, but not without commitment
The Alpine Lakes Tour has announced that the year 2026 will be devoted to scouting and exploration. But that's not stopping rowers from getting together. To mark the symbolic weekend of January 17 and 18, 2026, the organizers are calling for a free mobilization: each participant is invited to complete a course of 3, 6.5 or 14.5 kilometers... on his or her usual stretch of water, and in cold water.
This format, with no official registration and no timekeeping, retains what's essential: the pleasure of rowing together, despite the distance, under a common banner. It's a way of maintaining the link, keeping the event alive even without logistics, and keeping us on course for 2027.
Autonomous safety: a few essential reminders
No safety staff on the water this year. The FreeStyle format implies individual responsibility. Those who take up the challenge are asked to respect a few simple but crucial instructions:
- never set off alone
- always wear a leash
- equip yourself with a buoyancy aid
- use thermal protection adapted to the water temperature
Regular winter stand-up paddlers know that hypothermia is a real risk, even on short trips. Vigilance is therefore essential.
The GlaGla spirit shared over distance
To keep a symbolic record of their participation, rowers will receive a collector's digital bib from the organizers. The idea is simple: validate your challenge, and share your outing on your network or with your club.
Some groups are already planning to meet at their usual spots to organize a friendly, untimed outing. It's not a race, it's a way of keeping alive a winter rendezvous that has become a cult event for the SUP community.
Behind the scenes, the Alpine Lakes Tour team is already preparing for 2027. The year 2026 will serve to lay the foundations for the next edition. In the meantime, the GlaGla FreeStyle is a relay: a rallying signal to all those who have ever put on their neoprene wetsuit in the middle of January.
Those who embark on this year's adventure won't win any trophies, but they'll be helping to keep alive a meeting that goes far beyond the simple framework of a race.
