France
The Cap des Séselets at Lake Bourget, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, is a popular spot for kitesurfing and wingfoiling. Located near Aix-les-Bains, it offers easy access from the road and an unobstructed view of the lake.
This spot is managed by the Kite & Wing Club du Lac du Bourget, a collective of enthusiasts who share information and spots without offering lessons. The launch takes place on grass, and the entry into the water is over round pebbles.
Appreciated by locals for its simplicity, this spot mainly works with the northern breeze.
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.
chop
flatThe Cap des Séselets spot is oriented for a North or NW wind, ideal in side-on from the shore. The breeze, a local thermal wind from the North, offers the best sessions when it rises to 3-7 knots in the afternoon.
The launch takes place on the grass by the lake, convenient and without flying sand. Entering the water requires walking on round pebbles, slippery when wet, so wear booties. The navigation area extends offshore from the cap, with enough space for freeride and foil, but stay vigilant of other lake users like boats.
No significant tide on this freshwater lake, the water surface remains constant. The NW wind works better than pure N according to riders on the forum. Prefer sunny days for thermal conditions, and check forecasts on Openwindmap for gusts.
The ideal conditions are a stable north wind at 10-15 knots, side-on for a smooth water surface. Avoid pure onshore winds that create excessive chop.
The water surface is often flat to choppy depending on the wind strength, perfect for foil and kite freeride. With the breeze, you find flat near the shore and chop offshore at the end of the session.
On this freshwater lake, the currents are generally weak and nonexistent. The tides are minimal, with variations of 0.3 to 0.5 m due to the lake level, having no major impact on navigation.
Opt for sizes 9 to 12 m² in light breeze, or 7 to 9 m² when it rises to 15 knots and above.
The dominant wind regime is the northern breeze, a thermal wind that picks up in the afternoon during summer. It generally blows from N to NW with strengths of 3 to 7 knots at its peak. Forecasts show rideable sessions on weekends with a gradual increase in wind.
The climate around Lake Bourget is continental with hot summers and cold winters. Temperatures range from 5-10°C in winter to 25-30°C in summer. The best months for riding are April to October, with a thermal season favorable to the breeze.
The depth is gradual with a bottom of pebbles and sand. You can stand in the first 20-30 meters from the shore.
The water temperature ranges from 8-12°C in spring to 20-24°C in summer. In winter, it drops to around 5-8°C.
