The Yaka Paddle Festival was rated a 2-Star Event by the SUP World Ranking.
Larmor-Plage, France, attracted 150 volunteers, hundreds of musicians, over 600 participants and even more spectators. Conviviality, solidarity and physical commitment marked the weekend. The aim of this annual sporting event is to raise awareness of disability and to raise funds for associations committed to disability causes.
Larmor-Plage, typically a peaceful town, became the vibrant setting for the Yaka Paddle Festival this weekend. The event featured SUP sessions, offering people with disabilities the chance to experience the joy of being on water, and highlighted inclusion and self-empowerment.
On Saturday, the beach transformed into a hub of solidarity. Larmor-Plage also set a world record for participants wearing marinières, with 1,497 people joining in. Mayor Patrice Valton praised the festival’s impact, calling it the main event of the city.
Sunday’s events were marked by a minute of silence for Enzo Gilles, followed by a moving performance of “Show Must Go On.” The day’s races, led by triple world champion Olivia Piana, saw 400 participants compete on 4, 8, and 12 km courses. The elite women’s 12 km race was a standout, with Anaïs Guyomarch securing first place, while the young men from Ocean Paddle Camp delivered a perfect performance.
The ladies podium featured some of Frances best paddlers. (Top 10)
| Rank | Name | Time | Gap |
| 1 | GUYOMARCH Anaïs | 01:09:07 | 00:00:00 |
| 2 | RIVET Iona | 01:09:41 | +00:04:49 |
| 3 | REVIL Erica | 01:16:29 | +00:11:37 |
| 4 | PARSY Michèle | 01:23:14 | +00:18:22 |
| 5 | STAUMONT Hélène | 01:23:15 | +00:18:23 |
| 6 | Boquet Edwige | 01:27:09 | +00:22:17 |
| 7 | QUENNESSON Anne-sophie | 01:40:33 | +00:35:41 |
| 8 | MARIE Géraldine | 01:42:55 | +00:38:03 |
| 9 | VEZAIN Christine | 01:45:19 | +00:40:27 |
| 10 | RAMIHARISON Hanta | 01:50:39 | +00:45:47 |
Men Top Ten
| Position | Name | Time | Gap |
| 1 | BRY Ethan | 01:04:52 | 00:00:00 |
| 2 | BRARD Louka | 01:07:45 | +00:02:53 |
| 3 | BRY Eliott | 01:07:55 | +00:03:03 |
| 4 | GUEGUEN Joseph | 01:08:29 | +00:03:37 |
| 5 | LIMELETTE Greg | 01:09:16 | +00:04:24 |
| 6 | DE BOIS Pierre-alain | 01:09:45 | +00:04:53 |
| 7 | GUILLAUME Vincent | 01:11:26 | +00:06:34 |
| 8 | KAIHA Akahee | 01:12:35 | +00:07:43 |
| 9 | Leroux Clovis | 01:14:56 | +00:10:04 |
| 10 | BRY Gael | 01:14:59 | +00:10:07 |
The festival wasn’t just about competition; it also featured music, with 200 musicians energizing the atmosphere. The Relai Le Minor Challenge By Mistral International was another highlight, with team W3COM winning the fiercely contested race. The SIC Kids Race was a true crowd-pleaser, showcasing the determination and spirit of the next generation.
The Yaka Paddle Festival was more than a sporting event; it was a celebration of life, community, and solidarity. The festival concluded with the promise of an even brighter future, where joy and togetherness remain at the heart of the event. An exceptional evening in September will wrap up this third edition, hand over donations to associations, and announce the date of the next festival.