What do you do when you’re a former multi-medallist and Wildwater Canoeing World Champion (C1, C2) moving onto the next chapter? You go rip the rapids on carbon SUP race boards! On the eve of the 39th edition of the legendary paddle race –Marathon international des Gorges de l’Ardècheand the last stop of the 2023 EuroTour – we’re catching up for a quick chat with the Champion and Light Board Corp, Nicolas Peschier.
He will be competing on the LIGHTBOARDCORP® PARADOXA board in the 27 km stand-up paddle race, starting from the Pont d’Arc and ending at Saint Martin d’Ardèche.
From an impressive sporting career in slalom canoeing to stand-up paddleboarding… How did you get into SUP and the competitive aspect of the sport?
I do a lot of climbing now but I miss being on the water. I was in the French National Team for seventeen years, so I need that. I don’t have the facilities to do slalom at home so I turned to SUP. It gives me new sensations and keeps me in shape.
Why whitewater paddling and how do you avoid injury?
I live 100 meters from the river so it couldn’t be easier for me 😉 To avoid getting injured, you have to be aware of the water level, be able to see far ahead to anticipate obstacles and not hesitate to get down on your knees if necessary to avoid falling.
What are the main things to look out for when whitewater paddling?
You have to respect some basic safety rules. No leash, a lifejacket, a helmet and avoid being alone on the river.
We’re catching up in the run up the Marathon des Gorges de l’Ardèche. What makes this event unique, especially for SUP athletes?
This race is in my backyard, so for me it’s already very special, but for SUP it’s a big challenge on the river because for 24km there’s a series of rapids that aren’t very big but are never easy and it’s not the same way to read the water as in the sea. There’s also between 1500 to 2000 people in canoes and kayaks for the start so it’s an amazing atmosphere.
Can you tell us more about your collaboration with Light Board Corp?
A few years ago I started paddling a bit and already with a Light Board Corp thanks to Kayak-Online who gave me a board. Now I paddle a bit more and naturally I turned to the Light Board because I think it’s the best carbon SUP at the moment.
What’s more, I was able to paddle this in Summer on an inflatable when I didn’t have my carbon board yet and I was really surprised by how well my inflatable 3L MFT Platin SUP race board 14×25 glided.
What’s your board set up for the Marathon des Gorges de l’Ardèche?
I’m lucky enough to get the new Paradoxa 🙂 So that’s the one I’ll be paddling with, I’ve just added a little deflector at the front because there’s going to be some water and some nice waves…
Thank you for your time Nicolas – paddle fast and… safe!
The junior division is on the rise, gaining just as much spotlight as the open category, with young SUP athletes hitting the water at increasingly younger ages. What’s driving this shift? A powerful mix of experienced coaches, supportive clubs, and opportunities to travel and compete – often against the very athletes these juniors have grown […]
Francisco Giusti, Argentine National Champion and 2x ICF World Vice SUP Champion (Long Distance and Tech Race), has turned his winning streak and determination into remarkable opportunities – securing the dream location for his SUP school, Sup Paraná, and claiming a world championship title. His story is one of balance, conviction, and the essence of what […]
The Lake Rocks Festival makes a powerful return to Faaker See in Carinthia, Austria on 29 May – 1 June! As a key stop on the prestigious SUP Alps Trophy racing series and part of the ICF World Ranking Series, this event has quickly become a must-attend for the global SUP community. With the world’s […]
A lively discussion, sparked by Light Board Corp Boss Gerd Weisner, has ignited a strong response from the SUP community about fully embracing the Masters 60+ category. Time and again, paddlers over 50 have showcased their dominance in endurance SUP, leveraging experience, refined technique, strategic insight, and mental resilience to excel in the sport. Now, […]
Peter Weidert’s, German & ICF World SUP Champion and Light Board Corp Team Rider, unprecedented achievement of three gold medals in the Masters 50+ category at the 2024 ICF Worlds has captured widespread attention. This ties into a recurring debate on social media about SUP inclusivity and the greater recognition of this age group. It […]
As we’re publishing this story, Emmanuelle Marcon, the 2024 Ultra SUP Race French Champion, Vice World Sprint Champ SUP, Coach at Pure Paddle Fitness and expedition guide, will be gearing up to power through the rapids of the Marathon des Gorges de l’Ardèche , the 36km race in the southern Ardèche region of France. She’ll be […]
Manuel Lauble, one of Germany’s top pro SUP racers, has had a standout SUP season, with consistent podiums and the latest wins at the SUP Alps Trophy (Erfurt stop) and the SUP Suisse Tour’s stops in Salavaux and Davos, Switzerland. He has also just embarked on a new chapter by joining the Light Board Corp Team, the […]
The Light Board Corp squad has recently dominated the latest stop in the SUP Alps Trophy race series at Lago die Alpi in Erfur. Initiated by the Light Board Corp Boss Gerd Weisner, the Light Riders organized a paddle clinic for SUP enthusiasts with Peter Weidert, 5-time ICF World SUP Champion, along with the Guest […]
The Light Board Corp “Army of Amateurs” is growing and the pioneers in hollow construction, have just welcomed Olivier Comazzi, National SUP Champion and waterman from Switzerland, who has just kicked off his racing season strong winning the Long Distance race at the 2nd stop of the Alpine Lakes Tour – Canal De Savieres et […]