Crots (Serre-Ponçon)

Crots on Lake Serre-Ponçon (Plage des Eaux Douces) is a small pebble-beach freshwater spot with clean water and an easy-to-moderate launch approach (grass launch area reported). Conditions are generally flat to lightly choppy, with deep water just after a few meters from shore, which supports progression and foil riding but requires careful entry and exit. The wind is dominated by a regular afternoon thermal. Multiple sources agree on the main seasonal window (May through September) and that the wind typically comes from E/W (with broader regional guidance pointing toward W/NW build). One source describes thermal wind from late morning through nightfall, while another specifies an afternoon window around 13:00–18:00. Typical wind speeds are reported around 12–25 knots, with a common “15–20 knots” range in summer. Kitesurfing is the best-highlighted sport, with freeride and freestyle suitability emphasized due to the lake environment. The launch can be technical: the pebble beach is narrow, trees and a road run close to the waterline, and the usable rigging area can shrink substantially when the lake level is at its maximum in June and July. Windsurfing and wingfoiling are also described as strong options, benefiting from the deep water and consistent afternoon breeze (and wingfoil is explicitly marked as foil-friendly). Safety planning is important. Hazards mentioned include other water users (windsurfers, boats, fishing), slippery pebbles, rocky edges near launch/landing in places, and the possibility of thunderstorms with rapid weather changes in summer. Respect marked kitesurfing zones and designated launch/landing areas, and consider waiting for the thermal to fully establish (gustier conditions can occur early in the build).