France just held their national SUP Championships and if you look at the podium it is like you are looking at an international SUP race: Nothing but strong names. This observation just underlines on how strong of an SUP Nation France is.
There is also another observation. All paddlers are competing under the patronage of a Surf- or Paddleclub. Why is this important? As we pointed out in our article about the local youth in Germany: It always seems to be the case that strong athletes are developing when a good club or association is present that nurtures the sport. In France most surf towns have a local surf of paddle club and people join. For example Melanie Lafenetre and the La Cigale Surf Club. That club in St. Tropez held one of the first big SUP Races in Europe over 10 years ago. We all know “The SUP Race Cup” now the race is not as big as it was back then but it still exists.
We are not going too far into the details of the results but look at the top names. All of these paddlers have made impressions in races out side of their country and will continue to do so.
Congratulations to Titouan Puyo and Melanie Lafenetre on the double header.
Tech. Race Ladies
- Melanie Lafenetre
- Iona Rivet
- Fanny Tessier
Tech. Race Men
- Titouan Puyo
- Vaic Garioud
- Martin Vitry
Longdistance Ladies
- Melanie Lafenetre
- Iona Rivet
- Fanny Tessier
Longdistance Men
- Titouan Puyo
- Martin Vitry
- Ludovic Teulade