I’m used to waking up in sub-zero temperatures earlier than daylight to move to the mountains. I reside in Lyon, and one of many many benefits is the proximity to the Alps, and subsequently spontaneous days of snowboarding and snowshoeing as quickly because the climate forecast is favorable.
This time, although, as an alternative of donning thermals and salopettes, I used to be wriggling right into a swimming costume and wetsuit. Quite than skis, I used to be carrying an inflatable paddleboard. Seeing the grassy lido on the banks of Lake Annecy coated in paddleboards and neoprene-clad paddlers was surreal — all of the extra so with the snowy mountains framing it.
I’m no stranger to paddleboarding in all weathers. Over the 18 months I’ve been researching and writing a watersports information to France, work which has taken me into the stomach of the Auvergne, to distant Breton archipelagos and paddling throughout the Spanish and Italian borders, to call however a couple of. When the solar shines there’s no higher workplace, however I couldn’t all the time look ahead to bluebird days. As an alternative I used to be usually out in torrential rain or fierce winds, a lot to the confusion of native watersports golf equipment.
The Glagla race, Annecy
I’d by no means paddled anyplace as chilly as this although. For apparent causes, I’d prevented paddling the Alps in winter, but right here I used to be, primed to paddle throughout Lake Annecy in January. Falling into the water, which hovered at 6 levels Celsius, had all of the enchantment of 90s TV sport reveals the place the contestants fell into slime or mud.
2024 marked the decennial of the Glagla Race, which proudly markets itself because the coldest paddleboard race on the planet. There are three lengths you’ll be able to go for, 3km, 6.5km and 14.5km. In respect of my phalanges, and as a first-time competitor, I opted for the 6.5km. We warmed up on the seaside, most of the contestants sporting fluorescent tutus and wigs over their neoprenes. A few of them had introduced mascots alongside on the board — cuddly unicorns and inflatable flamingos. I felt very uninteresting and sensible with my drybag of snacks and spare layers.
The music blared, the meals vans have been already establishing store and there was the promise of a wood-fired scorching tub and sauna on the finish. It felt like a competition. We hit the nook, bobbing like corks alongside the beginning line, and when the gong sounded, we paddled.
To start with the water was so full that it appeared just like the scene in Titanic when the ship had simply sunk. As the gang dispersed I may benefit from the views of Duingt Fortress and the snow capped mountains. I noticed one casualty, a middle-aged man who gamely leapt again on his board after his dip, and appeared none the more severe for the ordeal, nonetheless ending forward of me. By the end line I used to be sweating.
There have been many research on how cold-water swimming boosts the temper, and I’m an advocate of it myself, frequently taking the plunge in all seasons. The push of endorphins from cold-water paddleboarding, although, was an entire different sensation, not least as a result of (most of us) being on the water quite than in it meant I may keep out a lot longer. The subsequent time you’re heading to the Alps, why not swap skis for SUP?
Anna’s debut guidebook, Paddling France, is out on March eighth. It’s accessible for pre-order now by means of Bradt Guides and Amazon. It explores the 40 finest kayak, canoe and SUP itineraries within the nation, tried and examined, and is the second title within the collection, following on from bestseller Paddling Britain.
