The EuroTour is set to deliver one of the most anticipated technical ocean races of the 2026 season as Weekend de la Glisse returns as a 5-star stop with €8,000 in confirmed prize money. Scheduled for 18–20 September 2026 in Royan, France, the event will host what is expected to be the largest technical SUP race in the ocean this year.
Return of Proper Beach Racing in the Waves
For the second stop of the EuroTour 2026, the focus shifts back to true beach racing conditions—surf entries, buoy turns in breaking waves, and sprint finishes through shore break. In a season where flatwater formats dominate many calendars, Royan promises a high-intensity ocean technical course that will reward complete paddlers with strong surf skills, race tactics, and endurance.
Staging a wave venue in the European summer is notoriously difficult due to swell windows and logistics, making Royan’s selection particularly significant. France has historically hosted some of the largest and most iconic ocean SUP races in Europe, and this stop reinforces that legacy.
A Proven Multi-Sport Event with Strong Local Backing
Now in its eighth edition, Weekend de la Glisse is a well-established multi-sport festival organized by Surfing Charentes and Nautisme Royan Atlantique. The event takes place in the Girond Estuary, the largest estuary in Europe, offering a unique mix of open-ocean swell and powerful tidal flow—conditions that can dramatically shape race strategy.
This will be only the second time the festival hosts an international SUP competition, adding a major milestone for both the event and the region’s growing paddling scene.
Confirmed Prize Money and Competitive Significance
In an era where prize purses and athlete support are under scrutiny across the sport, organizers have confirmed that the €8,000 prize money is guaranteed, with no vouchers or equipment substitutions. This clarity is likely to attract a strong international field, particularly among technical specialists who thrive in surf conditions.
As a 5-star EuroTour stop, Royan will offer valuable ranking points, making it a key battleground for athletes targeting the overall tour standings.
Strategic Importance for the 2026 EuroTour Season
With its ocean setting, high points allocation, and late-season timing in mid-September, Weekend de la Glisse could play a decisive role in the EuroTour title race. Technical beach races often produce larger time gaps and unpredictable results, opening the door for both established names and surf-savvy dark horses.
For the EuroTour, the event also signals a continued commitment to diverse race formats and authentic ocean competition, balancing a calendar that increasingly spans flatwater, long distance, and technical disciplines.
Royan Sets the Stage for a Classic
Between the dynamic conditions of the Gironde coast, confirmed prize money, and a 5-star status, Weekend de la Glisse 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most important ocean technical races in Europe this year.
If swell and wind align, Royan could deliver a true showcase of elite beach racing—the kind of event that defines seasons, reshapes rankings, and reminds the sport of its surf-driven roots.
Are you happy we keep you informed on the EURO TOUR? Become a supporter of our work just like the EURO TOUR is.
Online Subscription
Are you enjoying the content of the Stand Up Magazin?
With a subscription, you help secure the future of Stand Up Magazin.
Become a patron and supporter with your subscription.
Your subscription is an annual contribution and renews automatically.