What to expect at kitespot Lac de Serre-Ponçon?
After 2 hours by car from Marseille airport, in the heart of the southern Alps you’ll find kitespot Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Lake Serre-Ponçon is a dream destination for water sports enthusiasts. It was created in 1959 by the construction of a dam on the Durance. It offers magnificent conditions for kitesurfing.
Thermal Wind
All summer from April to August a thermal wind from West / South-West, blows almost daily, from 12h. The mountains surrounding the lake as well as the temperature difference between the land and the lake water contribute to this phenomenon.
Thus, the conditions oscillate between 10-25 knots in April, May, June, July. As the water in the lake warms up, the thermal wind weakens.
From late July to early September, the wind will be around 8-12 knots. If you foil, you are guaranteed to sail every day in summer.
This wind is also reinforced by the Mistral (westerly wind), the weather wind is added to the thermal wind.
Water conditions
The lake goes from 5 to 8 degrees on the surface in winter to reach 13 to 16 degrees at the end of mid-season and then can rise to 24 degrees in summer. The water is always flat and therefore perfect for learning to kitesurf or to foil.
Launch area
It is a 100m wide grass and gravel beach. With a westerly wind, trees can shelter the take-off area a bit, so move as far east as possible to get a fresh breeze. As soon as you take off don't waste time getting into the water because the wind is irregular on the beach. To enter the water you will walk on gravel / pebbles after which the lake gets deep pretty quickly.
Level of riding
Kitespot Lac de Serre-Ponçon is for everyone, beginner, intermediate or advanced riders because it’s a lake.
Don't worry if you drop your kite in the water you'll never be too far from the beach. A little swim will bring you back to the edge. In case of a difficult situation for you to get out on your own, the kite school present on the water can come and pick you up. If this happens often, take a kite lesson.
Lessons
Get your lessons at Altitude-Kite, this kite school is on the beach.
Facilities
You can park just in front of the “société routière du midi”. There is parking right in front of the beach. You also have a snack restaurant next to the Altitude-Kite school.
Alternative travel kitespot
Make sure to also check kitespot Almanarre, a 4 hour drive from kitespot Lac de Serre-Ponçon.