Do you know that feeling when you wake up in the morning full of joy and know that today is going to be a good windsurfing day? The days of waiting are over, you check the wind forecast again, inform your surf mates and drive to the surf spot full of expectations with your van packed. Questions are running through your mind: Which board should I ride? How strong will the wind be? What could I practise? You arrive at the spot and there are whitecaps. The trees are bending. Just as you've finished rigging and get into the water, you realise that no one is gliding like that. Oh, maybe just a short wind hole. You go out, but the wind is gradually running out of steam. Frustrated, you wait on the beach until you finally take off. Unfortunately, this scenario is sometimes part of our sport. We are very dependent on nature - and in our case, especially on the element of wind.
As a windsurfing pro, you know this problem all too well. The wind is practically my employer, my friend, and sometimes makes me foam at the mouth. I have waited for it for many days in my life. Unfortunately, nothing works without it and I've got used to it over time. Every now and then, however, it would be great to be able to set my watch by the wind - and simply plan my windsurfing better. Today was no exception.
Lac Monteynard is one of the windiest places in Europe
I'm on a road trip through France with the entire GunSails team. We are travelling in camper vans and are supposed to photograph the entire collection of new sails on the water within a week. As we only have a small window of time between competitions to get the whole team together, we decide to follow the wind with our vans. The weather forecast for the south of France looks bombastic. Bright red. And for a few days. So it shouldn't be a problem to get a few good shots and film material. But unfortunately things turn out differently: somehow the wind doesn't make it. We got a few good pictures, but nothing spectacular. The water colours are brownish in places, there are overcrowded spots and very changeable conditions. We surf at six different spots in Hyères, La Ciotat, Marseille and the Camargue. But at the end of the days, the yield is very poor.
Our photographer Julian Robinet is visibly frustrated. After five days, we roll up the sails and set off on our return journey. We have a few pictures of each sail, but that's all we could manage. Julian scrolls through the best-of selection. "The main problem is the water colours, we need a turquoise blue body of water - a mountain lake perhaps." I call my lake expert Balz Müller, we are planning a trip through Switzerland. Maybe we can get a session in the can before the next World Cup? Balz has a few good tips, but the wind forecast isn't right here either. Total calm! We cancel our plans. We're in the Rhone Valley when, while researching potential spots, I come across a lake called Lac Monteynard, which is supposedly one of the windiest lakes in Europe.
Turquoise water, blue sky, green meadows
I call our French slalom rider Cyril Moussilmani, who used to train there a lot. He sends me a contact from his friend Edouard, who runs a local surf school. "Looks good for today, the thermals should arrive in a few hours," he tells me in bumpy English. Our Team Konvey then turns right at the next exit in the direction of Grenoble. Two hours later, we find ourselves on the shores of Lac Monteynard. The scenery is unique: the reservoir winds its way through a narrow valley over a length of 23 kilometres. Turquoise-coloured water, blue sky, framed by lush green meadows. Only one thing is missing - wind. Once again, the water is as smooth as glass.
One of the surf instructors greets us at the surf school: "Set up the sails, the wind should be there soon." I look at the other boys a little sceptically. We rig our sails. Within 20 minutes, the wind picks up as if someone had flicked the magic switch. Gusts of 15 to 20 knots whiz across the smooth sea. We hurry and rush out onto the water. Full of power, we glide across a lake with whitecaps, while the calm prevails far and wide in Europe.
How the thermals work at Lac Monteynard
The reservoir stretches in a north-south direction, and mountains on the shores create a jet effect. A prevailing north wind is often strengthened by thermals when the sun is shining.
When the wind blows in the axis of the lake, there is a jet effect of 15 to 20 knots between noon and 6 pm. The temperature fluctuates between twelve and 23 degrees on average. The thermal wind is particularly strong when the weather is sunny and there is a mistral in the Rhone Valley.
These phenomena make Lac Monteynard the second windiest inland water in Europe, especially in the summer months. Only Lake Garda has a few more windy days. The lake has only existed since 1961, it was created artificially after the construction of a 145 metre high dam and is used as a water reservoir for an electricity power station.
We are equipped with foil, freeride or wing boards and sails from 5.7 to 7.0 square metres - and let it rip on the water. Finally everything fits. It's great fun to race back and forth with several riders in 300 metre runs against this unique backdrop - followed by a drone. The mountain panorama in the background does the rest: freeride heaven! We surf until the sun disappears behind the mountains and are grateful to have discovered a new spot for ourselves. The area also has a lot to offer in terms of scenery. You can go hiking and biking - and the highest mountains in the Alps are not far away either. If you want to get out on the water a lot during the summer months in Europe and don't fancy a holiday in the doldrums, this spot can definitely help.
If I had a windsurfing station here, my advert would probably read as follows: to all freeride pilots out there - from now on, no more waiting! Here you can easily plan your windsurfing session in the summer months with the time in your calendar. Are you already surfing? Or are you still waiting?
Facts and spots Lac Monteynard
Lac Monteynard is a reservoir in the French Alps (around 50 kilometres south of Grenoble) and lies at an altitude of almost 600 metres. Two dams impound the river Le Drac and are used to generate energy. The southern part of the lake, which can be used for water sports, is around ten kilometres long but only 300 metres wide at most.
Lac Monteynard lies in the middle of a breathtaking natural landscape. Surrounded by high mountains, steep rock faces and dense forests, the lake offers an impressive backdrop for many outdoor activities. The spectacular Passerelle Himalayenne suspension bridge in the far south is one of the main attractions at Lac Monteynard. It spans the lake with a length of 180 metres and a height of 45 metres - and offers a great panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The best time to go windsurfing is from mid-May to the end of September. In winter, however, the water is extremely cold (snow and altitude) and the power station operator EDF lowers the water level of the artificial lake.
Spots and surfing stations on Lac Monteynard
The best place for windsurfing is the Club Srvg This is where the wind is the strongest and most constant. The surf centre offers sails and wings from GunSails and other manufacturers. A little to the north is the kite beach between the municipal campsite and Mira beach. More info here . Windsurfing is also prohibited in some places, so it is advisable to inform yourself before the session - before you go out on the water. Overall, it can get really crowded on windy days in summer.
Further surfing stations:
There are beaches on both the eastern and western shores, with the latter offering more infrastructure. In the summer months, it is advisable to make a reservation at the campsites, especially at weekends. Wild camping is strictly forbidden and is controlled.
Campsites
- Camping de La Plage** Open from mid-February. 38650 Treffort, Tel.: +33-4-76340631
- Camping d'Herbelon *** Mobile home rental, Restaurant Le Campagnard: Herbelon - 38650 Treffort Tel.: +33-4-76340547
- Savel campsite ** 38350 Mayres-Savel, Tel.: +33-4-76811479
You can usually reach the water near campsites such as Camping de La Plage or Camping d'Herbelon. There is only one hotel on the lakeshore: Herbelon Castle. It dates back to the 17th century and has nine rooms. Reservations are recommended in the summer months, especially at weekends. Otherwise, Airbnb is often offered.
Mountain bike tours on Lac Monteynard
In addition to windsurfing, the region around Lac Monteynard offers outstanding mountain bike tours. The most famous one leads around the lake and offers spectacular views of the water and the surrounding mountains. The tour can be customised according to fitness level and preference and leads through picturesque villages and breathtaking landscapes. There are also numerous bike parks in the area - as well as hire stations and guided tours.
