The News of the cancellation of the GlaGla race back in October of 2024 was a great shock for the SUP Community. We ended our news article from back then with the following:
While the organizers have left the door open for a possible return in 2026, history suggests that when organizers step away and time passes, the passion for the project often fades, and the world moves on. Without a significant financial incentive, we remain skeptical that this race will return. And if it does, it may never be quite the same.
People did not quite like that. We were assured that this was just a break and nothing is to worry.
Community efforts are needed
Now the organizers have reached out to the community to help save the GlaGla race:
To ensure the future of the Glagla Race, we need your support !
To organize a 2026 edition that meets our expectations and your expectations, we need greater support from private and institutional partners.
How to help us?
- Become a partner: We are looking for sponsors, patrons, but also volunteers to help us with the organization (logistics, communication, etc.).
- Share your ideas and contacts: If you know of companies that might be interested in a partnership, please let us know.
- Make a donation: Every contribution, even a small one, will allow us to finance the organization of the 2026 GlaGla Race.
Share Ideas
The commercial value of such an event cannot be underestimated. The organizers are correct—the event draws hundreds of participants and garners significant media attention. Unfortunately, these are not the best times to secure funding in the water sports industry.
Many festival-style SUP races rely on financial support from local tourism authorities. It is often in a region’s interest to bring a trending sport to their waters. Prime examples include events like M2M, The Lake Rocks Festival, Legend of Ox, and the Gran Canaria SUP Open. We are certain that all the major SUP events in Spain operate similarly. Hosting a well-organized event requires a solid five-figure budget, if not more. Municipalities are the most reliable partners for such events, as a festival incorporating SUP racing can benefit an entire community beyond just watersports.
Given the current state of our industry, we see little to no chance of securing sufficient funding from SUP-related brands to sustain this event. If the municipality does not step in, crowdfunding will be essential. If 500 SUP enthusiasts are willing to pay €200 in entry fees at least a month in advance, it might be possible to make this event financially viable. Otherwise, pulling it off will be extremely difficult.