Air France Paddle Festival to Kick Off With A Bang

TAHITI, French Polynesia - Air France has renewed with the Air France Paddle Festival for its 2nd edition taking place on April 18, 2015. Open to anyone and everyone, from novice paddlers to champions, this festival invites the public to discover a booming sport: Stand Up Paddling. The Air France Paddle Festival is quickly becoming a major SUP event in the Pacific in only its 2nd year.

The 2015 Air France Paddle Festival aims to gather as many paddlers together as possible, young and old, beginners and passionate with this sport in a friendly and athletic atmosphere. The Festival will have three separate races, Elite Race, Lagoon Race, Fun Race, with different levels of difficulty for each race, so that anyone is able to participate.

For beginners, a free introduction will be on hand throughout the day including classes in SUP yoga.

This year, the prize money offered has doubled from last year and the prize purse values at a whopping $18,000 USD. This prize purse alone makes the Air France Paddle Festival one of the biggest competitions in the world for stand up paddling. Not to mention it is in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Click here to register and learn more about the Air France Paddle Festival.

Race Schedule of Events

Lagoon Race

The Lagoon Race will be a beautiful paddle in turquoise water.

8:30 am: Departure of the Lagoon Race at Paofai (Papeete)
10:30 am: Arrival of the Lagoon Race at Punaauia (Taapuna)

Elite Race

The Elite Race will be in both the open ocean as well as in the lagoon.

11:30 am: Departure of the Elite Race at Mahina (Pointe Vénus)
2:30 pm: Arrival of the Elite Race at Punaauia (Taapuna)

Fun Race

The Fun Race will be held in the lagoon with a battle sprint start.

3:30 pm: Departure of the Fun Race at Punaauia (Taapuna)
4:30 pm: Arrival of the Fun Race at Punaauia (Taapuna)

SUP Activities

SUP Yoga

There will be SUP Yoga lessons available where you can learn flexibility, balance and relaxation in one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.

Start: 2 pm at Taapuna Sandbank (Punaauia)
Estimated End: 5 pm

• FREE SUP Introductory Lessons with free equipment loan
• FREE Introductory SUP Yoga Lessons with a free equipment loan
• Inflatable slide (Kids only)
• Music with DJ K Moon

To see a full list of SUP events and to find an event near you check out the Supconnect Events Page.

Photos from the 2014 Air France Paddle Festival.