Cannes Yachting Festival to host all-night paddleboard race

The craze for stand-up paddleboarding is set to sweep this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival in the form of a 100km all-night race

With everything from superyachts to supermodels in attendance, the Cannes Yachting Festival is not the kind of boat show that does things by halves.

So when the organisers decided to stage a stand-up paddleboard race, they weren’t content with a leisurely paddle across the bay.

Instead, this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival will be hosting the world’s first night-time long-distance stand-up paddleboard race.

That all sounds a bit vague, so let’s narrow in on some of the specifics: the total distance is 100km with competitors completing laps of a course taking in Croisette and the Vieux Port.

Both relay teams and solo competitors will set off at 1900 on Friday September 11, with the fastest paddleboarders expected to cross the finish line at 1000 on the following morning.

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An awards ceremony will take place on the beach at 1130 (assuming these poor souls are still standing at that point!).

If this gruelling ordeal seems like your idea of fun, then registration costs €75 (£54) for individuals or €150 for teams.

The 2015 Cannes Yachting Festival takes place from September 8-13 and ticket prices start at €15 per person or €28 per couple.

More than 80 brand new boats will be making their world premiere at the show, and we recently picked out a dozen of the most exciting arrivals.

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