La BAT Race a unique under the ground SUP Race

Have you heard of the BAT Race ? Would like to register ? The BAT Race, one of the most famous Alpine Lakes Tour Races, is usually held in the middle of March….

The BAT Race is, according to the late SUP Race magazine SUP Racer, the most unique SUP Race in the world. This event is all the more exceptional as it is only organized every 4 or 5 years. The last edition dates from 2022 and the next is planned for 2025.

This underground lake in Switzerland is no ordinary body of water. Lake St. Leonard holds a constant, year-round air temperature of 15 degrees Celsius (59 F) and water temp of 11 (52 F).

The Bat Race will also be unique because it’s usually forbidden to stand up paddle on Lake Saint Leonard. Organisers have been granted special permission to host this one off race, and only a handful of paddlers have been allowed access to the lake.

Due to the very obvious space restrictions, entries for the Bat Race is limited to 60 paddlers and a few spectators.

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Check Alpine Lakes Tour 2024 Schedule. There will be no BAT Race, but we have another very special Race : The Alpine Paradise Race !

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BAT RACE 2022 : the results !

The BAT RACE 2022 is over ! Thanks to all participants who took the usual challenge to compete in a SUP Race… under the surface of the earth !

Bat Race 2022 photo : Alexis Fernet

The Alpine Lakes Tour has struck a blow again at the start of the season with the return of the BAT Race: the only underground paddle race!

Saturday March 12, 2022, stand-up paddle enthusiasts from Switzerland, France, Italy and even the Czech Republic and Poland had an appointment for this reissue of a world first at Lac de St-Léonard, the largest underground lake in Europe, located in Valais (Switzerland).

The fact of being underground, almost in the dark, gives a very unique atmosphere to this race.

A very feminine race 

It’s rare enough to point it out: there were more women than men yesterday at the BAT Race with a very high level!

A paddle tournament

Competitors competed in a tournament with a women’s board and a men’s board. All participants were able to run at least 3 times.  

The equipment (paddle, vest, paddles) was provided by the Alpine Lakes Tour’s sporting partner: Red Paddle Co, inventor of the inflatable stand up paddle.

A race in disguise!

The theme was naturally that of superheroes! But not everyone had to be Batman or Batwoman… A special prize was awarded for the best costumes!

The results

Finalists women tournament

  1. Leilou Spano
  2. Nicole Angeloz
  3. Loreline Rossel
  4. Samelia Perrenoud
  5. Marie Théraulaz
  6. Audrey Vassali

Finalists men tournament

  1. Wolfgang Guetg
  2. Olivier Comazzi
  3. François-Xavier Vuchot
  4. Fabrice Bernoud
  5. Stéphane Guillermin
  6. Édouard Favre-Felix

Finalists kids tournament

  1. Hugo Viguier
  2. Chloé Fortin
  3. Jade Vienot Carteret
  4. Thomas Fortin 

 The underground lake of Saint Léonard

The underground lake of St-Léonard is located in Switzerland, between Sion and Sierre, in the heart of the Valais Alps. This lake nestles between 30 and 70 meters deep. With a length of almost 300 meters, it is the largest natural and navigable underground lake in Europe. Weakly influenced by seasonal changes, the temperature of the cave is constantly around 15 degrees, that of the water at 11 degrees.

Open to the public from March to October, the lake can be explored by taking part in guided tours on boats with a capacity of 40 people. Original events are regularly offered there, such as aperitifs or concerts on board the boats. 

The official opening of the lake to the public for the 2022 season will take place next weekend.

Navigating the lake on a stand-up paddle is totally unique and reserved for this stage of the Alpine Lakes Tour.

BAT Race results – Résultats de la BAT Race

bat race 2018

Saturday March 10th, 2018 – Lake Saint Leonard – Switzerland

A big thank you to all participants for coming to this new BAT Race ! Thanks for you participation, good mood, fair-play ! Un big thank you to Cedric, manager of the place, Arthur for the great food, the volunteers : Angélique, François, Florian, Phil & Phil, Guillaume ! A big thanks you to Axel for the pictures, Yoann & Sarah for the coming video ! Thanks to our great partners : Red Paddle Co, Julbo, Rubbish, Mood, Supskin, Get Up Sup Mag, le Nautic, Blue1310 !

Un grand merci à tous les participants pour être venus à la BAT Race ! Merci pour votre participation, bon humeur et fair-play ! Un grand merci à Cédric, qui gère le lac, à Arthur pour le déjeuner, et à notre belle et joyeuse équipe de bénévoles : Angélique, François, Florian, Phil & Phil, Guillaume ! Un grand merci à Axel pour les photos, Yoann et Sarah pour la video qui arrive ! Merci à nos super partenaires : Red Paddle Co, Julbo, Rubbish, Mood, Supskin, Get Up Sup Mag, le Nautic, Blue 1310 !

Anna Tschirsky, Tanja Ecker & Sigrid Baumgartner

Jérémy Laugerat, Olivier Comazzi, Nick Crettenand

Résultats / Results BAT RACE

Hommes / Men

1. Jérémy Laugerat France
2. Olivier Comazzi
Suisse / Switzerland
3. Nick Crettenand
Suisse / Switzerland

Femmes / Women

1. Anna Tschirky
Suisse / Switzerland
2. Tanja Ecker
Allemagne / Germany
3. Sigrid Baumgartner
Autriche / Austria

Enfants / Kids

1. Théo Druelle France
2. Simon Wouters France

Red Paddle Tandem Race

1.
Nick Crettenand + Olivier Comazzi
2.
Anna Tschirky + Françoise Denais
3.
Jeremy Laugerat + Mathieu Conus
3.
Barbara Grollimund + Vincent Wouters
  • More info / + d’infos BAT Race
  • Le lac de Saint Léonard
  • Next 3 Alpine Lakes Tour Races / Les 3 prochaines étapes de l’Alpine Lakes Tour : Very Flat Race, POP & FAT Race, Wild Race

BAT Race : 3 days to go ! J-3 ! Batmen & women get ready !

BAT Race 2018 lac souterrain3 days to GO before the second BAT Race ! The world’s most unique SUP Race happening on Europe largest underground lake on march 10th ! You can still register, we had 2 competitors who canceled ! Please book your meal (form below)

3 jours avant la BAT Race ! La course de stand up paddle la plus incroyable au monde, organisée sur le plus grand lac souterrain d’Europe le 10 mars ! Il reste 2 places suite à des désistements !  Merci de réserver votre repas (formulaire ci-dessous)

 

Le programme de la BAT Race 2018 / BAT Race 2018 schedule

  • 9h00 : Accueil / welcome
  • 9h30 : Premier tour femmes / First round women
  • 10h00 : Premier tour hommes / First round men
  • 10h45 : Premier tour enfants / First round kids
  • 11h00 : Premier tour tandem / First round tandem
  • 11h30 : 2eme tour femmes / Second round women
  • 11h50 : 2eme tour hommes / second round men
  • 12h00 : 2eme tour enfants / second round
  • 12h00 – 13h00 : pause déjeuner, accès libre au lac (réservé aux personnes inscrites) / Lunch – Free access to the lake (for registered participants)
  • 13h30 : 2eme& 3eme tours tandem / Second & Third rounds tandem
  • 14h00 : 1/2 finale femmes / Semi-finals women
  • 14h20 : Finales enfants / Kids finals
  • 14h30 : consolante hommes / first round losers tournament men
  • 15h00 : consolante femmes / first round losers tournament women
  • 15h30 : 1/2 finales femmes / semi finals women
  • 15h50 : 1/2 finales hommes / semi finals men
  • 16h00 : finale femmes / finals women
  • 16h15 : finale tandem / finals tandem
  • 16h30 : finale hommes / finals men
  • 17h00 : Remise des prix / Prize award ceremony
  • 17h30 Concert

Sécurité et équipement / Safety & Required equipment

Les participants doivent être couvert par une assurance en responsabilité civile / Registered participants have to be insured with a liability insurance.

Les SUP sont fournis (Red Paddle Elite Race 26″ et 28″ en 12’6). Prévoyez de prendre votre pagaie. SUP are provided by the organizers. Take your paddle.

Wetsuits are recommended but not compulsory / Les combinaisons sont recommandées mais pas obligatoires.

Repas / Lunch avec with le Frisé Gourmet

* Chili con carne (bœuf Suisse) avec du riz ou pomme au four. 13.-
* Curry thaï végétarien avec du riz ou pomme au four. 12.-
* Velouté de carottes au citron 2.DL : 5.- 5DL : 10.-
* Cannelés à la vanille : 2.-/pièce, 5.-/les 3, 10.-/les 7 et 20.-/les 15
* Boisson :
– Coca et coca zéro 4.-
– Eau plate ou gazeuse 3,50.-
– Thé Froid maison 4.-
– Café du monde 3,50
– Bières locales et du monde à 6.-

Réservez votre repas / Book you meal (Participants & accompagnants)

Registration closed / inscription fermée

Concert

Un concert est organisé à 17h30 sur le lac. A concert will be held on the lake à 5.30 pm

Hébergement / Accommodation

Motel 13 Étoiles
http://www.motel13etoiles.ch/hotel.html
400 m from the Underground Lake entrance

Motel du Soleil
http://www.moteldusoleil.ch
400 m from the Underground Lake entrance.

Hôtel Ibis Sion Est
http://www.ibishotels.com
8 minutes away by car

Camper van
facilities available on the Underground Lake parking

Fees : Entrance Fee + Races : 30€ / CHF 35.- / Concert : CHF 20.- (special race for BAT Race registered participants) and CHF 30,- for everyone else.

For the lunch main course CHF 12.- to CHF 13.-

Frais de participation : Entrée au lac souterrain + inscriptions aux courses : 30€ / CHF 35.- / Concert : CHF 20.- (prix spécial pour les participants à la BAT Race) et CHF 30,- pour tous les autres.

La liste des inscrits / registered participants

Sandro Ackermann
Sigrid Baumgartner
El boukili Smail
Grollimund Barbara
Carole Luzon
Catherine Zalts Dafflon
Blanc Christophe
Bureau Christophe
Vercel
Comazzi
Crettenand Nick
ventura
Bruchon
Esnaola
Matado
Denais Francoise
Pannetier
Guillermin Stéphane
Haytam saja
Allistair Swinsco
Kevin Kohn
Champendal Lidvina
Sabrina Lauper
Almeida
Lehmann
Ada
Gjota
Rossel Loreline
DEMICHELIS ruben
DEMICHELIS romane
Savet DEMICHELIS
Martignoni Vincent
Mathieu Conus
laugerat jeremy
morand
Naty Philippy
Nicault Julien
Ruedin Olivier
Philipp Schmocker
DEMICHELIS pierre
CLOTTEAU
Manuel
Steve Chambovey
Miggler Steve
Ruedin olivier
Tanja Ecker
Guellaen
Pannatier
Pannatier Kenza
Forny Pannatier Petra
Louppe virginie
Vincent Marti
Jocelyn Dinten
Wouters Vincent

 

 

The BAT Race is back ! La BAT Race revient !

BAT RACE the most unique SUP Race in the world

As announced at the GlaGla Race, the BAT Race is back ! 3 years after the first edition, the most unique SUP Race will be held underground again on March 10-11th, 2018. Registration opening : february 27th at 9 pm.

Comme annoncé à la dernière GlaGla Race la BAT Race est de retour ! 3 ans après la première édition, la course la plus originale du monde, organisée sous terre aura lieu les 10 et 11 mars 2018 !

Ouverture des inscriptions mardi 27 février 2018 à 21h.

BAT RACE 2015 video / La video de la BAT RACE 2015

Vidéo officielle BATRACE

video batrace 2015 saint léonard Suisse

La video officielle de la BAT RACE par Pelikan’s Production est en ligne ! Un beau souvenir pour les chanceux qui ont pu participer et un aperçu de l’ambiance magique de ce lieu très particulier à 50m sous terre au cœur des Alpes !

The official video of the BAT RACE is online ! A nice souvenir for the lucky ones who were there and a glimpse of what this extraordinary location looks like 50m under the surface in the heart of the Alps.

Plus d’informations / More information about the BAT RACE

Voir d’autres vidéos de l’Alpine Lakes Tour / Watch other Alpine Lakes Tour videos

BAT RACE : Liste attente / waiting list

BATRACE-reco-600

La liste des 40 participants qui ont réussi à s’inscrire, rappelons le en moins de 3 minutes, mardi dernier pour la BAT RACE, a été confirmée hier. Pour l’instant aucun désistement. Nous publions ci-dessous la liste d’attente qui évoluera en fonction des éventuels désistements. Nous avons cherché une solution pour accueillir un peu plus de monde. Ça ne sera pas possible, malheureusement.

We published yesterday the list of the competitors for the BAT RACE who managed to register in less than 3 minutes (maybe less). We publish today a waiting list in case some of the competitors cancel their registration. Nobody did so far.

  1. Nicole Reinhart
  2. WAMBEKE
  3. Peter Tritten
  4. NAU Pierre
  5. jerome bontemps
  6. Michel Schnitzbauer
  7. Sarah Hauck
  8. Sandrine Genet
  9. Parade Kiny
  10. canali william
  11. Martin Stéphane
  12. nathalie charriere
  13. Leuba Carine
  14. Kullmann Elka
  15. Chablaix Daniel
  16. Gérard Normand
  17. NAU Pierre
  18. De Vestèle
  19. NAU Pierre
  20. Eric bruchon
  21. Sandro Ackermann
  22. HERRAIZ
  23. DELAËRE
  24. FREZIER MARC
  25. davide giuliano
  26. Jerome bontemps
  27. Leuba Carine
  28. miroir
  29. guerre berthelot

The Bat Race : The World’s First Underground SUP Event

st-leonard-corne-suisse-600The Bat Race  : The world’s first underground stand up paddling competition on Europe’s largest underground lake in St-Léonard, Valais, Switzerland on 14th March 2015.

Riders will compete in sprint races in a double elimination tournament. Time for strolling on the lake and fun activities are also on the day’s schedule.

The event is baptised Bat Race in reference to the mammals that populate the cave where the event will take place.

Registration, limited to 40 riders, opens on 24th February 2015 at 20:00 CE on this website. Get ready !

Recently named a candidate for “the world’s most beautiful SUP race series” shortlist on supracer.com, the Alpine Lakes Tour features races on the Alps’ most breathtaking lakes. No waves or coconut trees – here it’s crystal turquoise water, wild nature and snowy peaks that build the stage on which the tour’s competitors race year-round since 2013. Initially held in France and Switzerland, in 2015 the tournament will extend its reach to Italy with a race in the city of Turin. The tour launches its third edition with this world premiere organised with Swiss partner Alps SUP.

Lake St-Léonard is Europe’s largest underground lake. The about 300 m long pool is housed in a cave hidden in mountainside in the beautiful region of Valais, known for its vineyards, apricot orchards and world-class ski resorts. Mostly unaffected by the seasons change, the lake’s water is at a constant 11°C year-round and the air temperature in the cave averages 15°C. The lake is open to the public from March to October and can be visited through guided tours, which bring visitors on a rowing boat tour through the lake’s several bays.

Stand up paddling on the lake is forbidden and has been granted exclusively to the Alpine Lakes Tour for this unique event!

Event description

In order to avoid overcrowding and guarantee the lake’s magic stillness to all participants, registration is limited to 40 entrants. 25 further non-competitors can register as spectators. They will have the chance to paddle on the lake and take part to the SUP game scheduled at mid-event. One-design 12’6 inflatable race boards will be provided by the organiser. Competitors will be free to use their own paddles.

The tournament includes 3 rounds of which all competitors will race at least the first two. A different course and distance is planned for each round:

 

Round approx. distance buoy turns competitors per heat
Round 1 1 km 3 4
Round 2 550 m 4 4
Round 3 500 m 1 5
Final 1 km 3 6

 

It’s a tradition of the Alpine Lakes Tour to organise a SUP game (a SUP-related innovative and fun activity) at each event. Such a game will take place at one end of the lake at mid-event and will be open to all competitors, spectators and volunteers. Extra boards will be provided for free strolling on the remainder of the lake.

More information contact Marc Nava : marc@alpssup.ch / Phone +41 79 214 43 52