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Kitesurfing in Embrun – Lac de Serre-Ponçon

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With its ultra-reliable wind, warm water and spectacular setting, the huge Lac de Serre Ponçon is a viable alternative to the Mediterranean for kitesurfers in the South of France.

Freeride

Freestyle

Wave Riding

Wind so reliable you can set your watch by it! Spectacular setting. Flat water.

Crowded with holidaymakers in the summer. Need to be able to stay upwind.

Spot Information

Spot Type

Lake/Beach

Best Wind

SW,NE

Rider Level

Intermediate - Advanced

Style

Freeride, Freestyle

Best Time of Year

March to July

Summer Water Temp

20°C > 23°C

Winter Water Temp

3°C > 9°C

Hazards:

Launching and landing points are quite small and rocky in places.

Wind Forecast

What’s the wind forecast in Lac de Serre Ponçon over the next 5 days?

Practical Information

Nearest Town

Embrun

Nearest Airport

Marseille (2 h 14 min)
Turin (2 h 38 min)
Grenoble (2 h 42 min)
Lyon (3 h 11 min)
Nice (3 h 17 min)

Latitude/Longitude

44.53307

6.43107

Parking

Park along the lake near Savines-le-Lac.

Tourist Office

Office de Tourisme d'Embrun
Place Gén Dosse
05200 Embrun
France

Phone: +33 (0)4 92 43 72 72
Web: www.hautes-alpes.net
Email: info@hautes-alpes.net

The Lac de Serre Poncon was formed in the early 1970’s when the lower Durance river in the Hautes-Alpes was dammed. The region is renowned for having a wind so reliable you can set your watch by it, and it wasn’t long before windsurfers and more recently kitesurfers discovered the virtues of the place.

The best time of year to kitesurf in Serre Poncon is between March and July. The mornings are calm and the lake is like a bottle – perfect for wakeboarding or supping. Then, at 10:30 the wind starts to pick up and builds throughout the morning and by 1 or 2 pm it’s blowing a perfect force 4 to 5. You can kite until the sun goes down, or your legs turn to noodles, whichever comes first.

If there is no wind (it can happen!) there are plenty of alternate activities nearby such as white water rafting, downhill mountain biking, climbing and trekking. Or, you can stay on the lake for some wakeboarding or stand up paddle boarding.