Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice)
- Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Range
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Lake Geneva’s St. Sulpice launch (Chemin du Laviau area) is a clean freshwater spot that typically provides flat-to-chop water, with a sand and grass launch surface near the soccer fields and the harbor. Wind is most consistently reported from S, SSW, and SW, with conditions described as suitable for freeride-style riding—especially during South-West events. Reliability is generally rated moderate, and gusts can increase close to shore due to nearby trees and local terrain. For kitesurfing, the spot is commonly framed as an intermediate option: the water can stay workable in a flat-to-chop regime, but the shoreline launch is narrow and can require extra care around nearby trees, rocks, and harbor walls. Launching may be tight when busy, so riders should be prepared for water-launch situations. Because local rules can affect access, it’s important to verify whether kitesurfing is allowed and whether any special permit or local membership is required, and to follow Swiss navigation guidance around harbor entrances and any restricted swimming zones.
- Clean lake water with flat-to-chop conditions
- Best wind directions: S, SSW, SW (South-West events emphasized)
- Spring and autumn months favored for wind performance
- Accessible sand/grass launch surface—though launch is narrow near trees/harbor
- Clean freshwater with generally easy approach conditions
- Solid intermediate spot for freestyle freeride styles on flat-to-chop water
- Strong wind direction alignment for S/SSW/SW (commonly South-West events)
- South-West frontal events and seasonal spring/autumn windows are favored
- Launch area is narrow and can be tricky near trees and the harbor wall
- Rocks/harbor infrastructure near shore increase hazard potential
- Wind can become gusty close to shore due to trees and local topography
- Kitesurfing access may depend on local permit/allowance conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Bise/Vent-driven patterns on Lake Geneva; sources describe the spot wind as thermal.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gustiness can increase near shore due to nearby trees/topography.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Wind can be gusty near the shore due to trees and local topography.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Mixed — Sand/grass mix; one source describes sand, another describes mixed composition.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave environment reported; overall conditions described as flat-to-chop.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Sources describe flat water with chop; another provider reports chop conditions.
- Launch
- Medium — Sand/grass mix; also described as a narrow grass and pebble area near the harbor/soccer fields.
Through the year
Busy on windy weekends and during summer evenings.
Thunderstorms are common in late afternoon during summer; late autumn can bring increased rainfall from Atlantic fronts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-to-chop lake conditions with side-shore wind from S/SSW/SW. Commonly used when South-West wind events occur; suitable for intermediate riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Usable in South-West wind events; launching can be managed from the beach area near the harbor/soccer fields.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Increasingly popular due to deeper water and consistent frontal winds; safe depth is reached within a few meters of the shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Safe depth reached within a few meters of the shore.
- Wing Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) in the full forecast view.
Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- WNW287°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 5–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Narrow launch area
- Trees behind the beach
- Rocks near the shore
- Harbor traffic
- Harbor walls nearby
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates the lake can be patrolled by SISL (voluntary rescue organization).
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 117 (Police) or 144 (Ambulance).
Rules of the spot
Verify whether kitesurfing is allowed locally; you may need a special permit or local kite-organization membership. Swiss navigation rules apply (including keeping distance from harbor entrances and reed beds where applicable). Respect swimming zones.
- Verify local permit requirements before riding.
- Keep clear of harbor entrance and respect swimming zones.
- Maintain distance from harbor entrances and reed beds (where applicable).
- Launch can be tight when crowded; be prepared to launch in the water.
- The spot is best in South-West wind conditions.
- The beach mix of sand and grass supports an accessible side-shore setup.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lausanne
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Sulpice
- Parking
- Parking available at the soccer fields near Chemin du Laviau / Centre Sportif du Laviau.
- Access
- From Lausanne drive west to St. Sulpice. Use Chemin du Laviau to reach the beach area past the soccer fields; walk west to the beach past the little harbor.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options available in Lausanne and Saint-Sulpice.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafes are available within walking distance in Saint-Sulpice village.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A blend of lakeside living and nearby cultural/academic attractions in the Lausanne area.
Olympic history museum in Ouchy.
UNESCO World Heritage site with panoramic views, hiking, and wine tasting.
An architectural landmark on the EPFL campus.
Historic Cluniac priory church dating back to the 11th century near the lake.
Lakeside dining offering local Swiss cuisine.
Large park in nearby Morges.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice)?
The best overall months at Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice)?
Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) works with S, SSW, SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4.5–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) suitable for?
Lake Geneva (St. Sulpice) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.