Lac de Jablines

The main lake of Jablines is generally oriented North-South, making it particularly interesting with South, South-West, or North winds, which then arrive across or in the axis of the water surface. The North beach is located on the northern shore of the water surface, which gives a rather side-on to onshore wind when it blows from the South or South-West, and off/side-off with North wind, less comfortable for safety.

The sliding practice takes place on the large lake of 75–80 hectares, with a wide and clear navigation area. Launching generally occurs from the beach or from the area near the North parking, where access to the water is very quick from the car. In the summer season, the North beach is a supervised swimming area, and navigation is then heavily constrained, even impossible during supervision hours. Outside of these hours and very busy periods, riders use the part of the water surface outside the marked swimming areas.

The water surface is flat to slightly choppy depending on the wind strength. With a steady wind around 15–20 knots, there is a good little lake chop, but no real waves. The water surface remains relatively regular, which is ideal for freeride, foil, and freestyle. The central area of the lake is perfectly clear, without rocks or sandbanks, allowing for long runs in the wind's axis.

However, one must take into account some local peculiarities. In summer, the lake can be affected by the development of algae, especially during hot and prolonged windless periods, which can hinder foils and create drag on lines or fins. A call to the water sports base before heading out in mid-summer is a good habit to check conditions. The water surface is surrounded by leisure base facilities (parking lots, lawns, paths), so the wind can be a bit disturbed at the edges in certain orientations, but it is generally clean as soon as one moves away from the shore.

The take-off/landing of the kite is done on a relatively wide sandy beach, but one must deal with the possible presence of bathers in season and with the rules of the leisure island. In practice, Jablines is more regularly frequented for wingfoil and windsurfing, which are better tolerated on this type of inland water, but some kiters sail there when attendance is low and the wind is well oriented. The spot works all year round, but the best experience is outside of high season, during the week or in the interseason, with a calmer water surface and simpler management of coexistence with other users.