Aix-les-Bains - Plage du Rowing
France
Aix-les-Bains
The Rowing beach in Aix-les-Bains, on Lac du Bourget, is a popular spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing at the foot of the mountains. It has a family-friendly atmosphere with paddle and canoe rentals, and easy access from the city.
It is a lively place in summer, with supervised swimming and various water activities. Locals enjoy the setting between the lake and the Alps for peaceful sessions.
The spot mainly works with south wind, ideal for launching without disturbance.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
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flatThe Rowing beach spot mainly works with south wind, which comes side-on relative to the north-south oriented beach, perfect for stable navigation without the risk of being pushed far away. The launch area is direct from the grassy and sandy beach, with a clear space for kite takeoff, the wind not being disturbed by surrounding reliefs. The navigation area extends 200 meters from the shore, as everywhere on the lake, before reaching deeper areas.
The water surface remains flat with light chop most of the time, influenced by the small lake tides that vary from 0.3 to 0.6 m, without major impact on navigation. Be careful to stay within the 200 m band to avoid motorboats further out. In case of north wind (the Bise), it is more gusty and less reliable, better for smaller kites.
High attendance in summer with swimmers and soft craft like paddles and canoes, so vigilance is mandatory near the shore. Nearby parking and a snack bar on site facilitate long sessions.
The ideal conditions are a south side-on wind between 15-25 knots, consistent and thermal in the afternoon. Avoid days with no wind or too strong over 30 knots for safety.
The water surface is generally flat with a slight chop in sustained wind, perfect for freestyle or freeride. In strong south wind, it can become a bit more choppy but remains navigable. Few waves thanks to the shelter of the mountains.
Currents are weak on the lake, with no strong ocean tides, but amplitudes range from 0.36 to 0.62 m depending on the days. Near channels or passage areas, the current can slightly increase with the wind. Check the low and high water times to anticipate.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 12 m² in medium south wind, and 7 to 9 m² when it picks up. For light and gusty Bise, go for 11-14 m².
The dominant wind regime is the Bise from the north, often gusty and light to moderate between 10-20 knots. The south wind is more consistent and thermal, ideal for the spot, reaching up to 25 knots in the afternoon. The best months are variable, but spring and autumn offer the most reliable conditions.
The climate around Lac du Bourget is continental with warm summers around 25-30°C and mild but cold winters around 0-5°C. The ideal season for kiting is from May to October, with long sunny days. Precipitation is moderate, but thunderstorms can occur in summer.
The depth is gradual with a sandy bottom, you can stand up to about 50-100 m from the shore depending on the tide. Beyond that, it drops quickly to 10-20 m in the navigable area.
In summer, the water reaches 20-24°C, comfortable in a shorty. Spring and autumn around 12-18°C, 5/3 mm neoprene recommended. Cold winter around 6-10°C.