Europe’s Biggest Underground Lake Hosts Stand Up Paddle Board Race

Competitors paddle during the BAT race, a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race of the Alpine Lakes Tour, on Europe's biggest underground lake, in St-Leonard near Sion, Switzerland, on March 12, 2022. Denis Balibouse/Reuters

ST-LEONARD, Switzerland—Competition at stand up paddle board events is fierce given the sport’s rising popularity, but competing on Europe’s biggest underground lake adds another level of difficulty.

Some 60 athletes took part in Saturday’s BAT Race at St-Leonard in Switzerland as part of the seven-stage Alpine Lakes Tour.