Serre Ponçon Swim Challenge 12km & 20km - Hassle Free Package

A rare and unique opportunity for a long distance swimming challenge at altitude. The magnificent Serre Ponçon lake is one of the largest artificial lakes in western Europe at 20km long and situated at 800m of altitude in the stunning southern French Alps. 

The Serre Ponçon Swim Challenge is a premium point to point open water swimming event to swim the length of the magnificent Serre Ponçon Lake with 12km and 20km swim distances possible. You can swim either distance as a solo swim (kayak support person required) or as a team kayak swimmer duo

This package is designed for swimmers and supporters who want the independence of choosing their own swim distance and kayak support arrangements, while leaving the accommodation, local transfers and practical event logistics to us.

With 3 nights in a choice of local accommodation, local transport, local tips and insight, this hassle-free package gives you the practical support you need around the event. Your swim ticket is selected and added at checkout, according to your chosen distance or team format, so your final price reflects the exact challenge you are entering.

All you need to do is arrive prepared and focus on your swim! Have a look at the swimming routes here.

Swim Challenge and Hassle-Free Package Highlights:

• Fully supported point to point long distance open water swim
• Choice of accommodation to suit your budget
• Local transport and logistics organised so you can focus on your swim
• Swim at altitude for optimal training for a long distance sea-level Channel swim
• Stunning mountain scenery at every stroke
• Average water temperature around 18°C - 21°C
• 300 days of sunshine per year so high probability of good weather for your swim

Safety:

Long distance open water swimming, especially of this distance, is an exceptional undertaking and your safety is our first priority.

Solo Swimmers:

Every swimmer, will be allocated a kayak, Restube, radio and whistle and will need to bring their own support person or hire a professional kayak support person (available at checkout). The support person will be the person giving you feeds and hydrating you during your swim and will be kayaking next to you throughout the swim to survey your safety. They are backed up by a team of professional lifeguards and first aiders on motorised boats who will be patrolling the swimmers and ready to step in at a moment's notice. For the 20km swim, you have the option to swap support person at the 12km arrival point. 

Swimmers will be required to wear a Restube for the swim (provided by the organisation) and will need to come equipped with green waterproof adventure lights attached to your swim hat so that you can be seen at all times in the water. The kayak support person needs to bring a head torch, with a red light option. The motorised safety boats are also lit.

If you do not have your own kayak support person, we can arrange one locally for you, subject to availability. This is added at checkout.

Please note: kayak support is compulsory for solo swimmers. If you are not bringing your own kayaker, you must add hired kayak support to your booking.

Team Swimmers:

The team event is for teams of two who will swap between swimming and kayaking to complete either the 12km or 20km distance. The changeovers will be on specially allocated platforms or beaches at 6km, 12km and 16km to allow the kayaker and swimmers to get out of the kayak, change and then swap over. The radio and whistle should be with the person kayaking and the Restube on the person swimming. There should always be one person swimming and one person kayak supporting during the swim. The same team of professional lifeguards and first aiders will be patrolling the swimmers on motorised boats and ready to step in at a moment's notice.

Weather & Conditions:

Early July usually brings warm, sunny summer conditions to Serre-Ponçon, although mountain weather can change quickly.

The lake is generally at its calmest overnight and in the early morning, before the thermal winds begin to build. Stronger winds and occasional thunderstorms tend to develop later in the day, following a fairly predictable local pattern. This is one of the reasons the event starts before sunrise.

Except in unusual weather conditions, you can therefore expect relatively calm water at the start and during the first hours of the swim, with conditions potentially becoming more unsettled later in the day.

Water temperatures are usually around 18–21°C at this time of year, although this can vary depending on weather conditions in the preceding weeks. Wetsuits are optional when the water temperature is above 16°C.

Weather forecasts, wind conditions and lake temperature are monitored in the lead-up to the event, with the latest information communicated to participants before the start.

Who Will Love this Trip?

If you love open-water swimming and are looking for a genuine endurance challenge, this experience is for you.

Both the 12 km and 20 km distances are significant physical challenges and require serious preparation. Whether you are taking part solo or as a team of two, we recommend beginning your training several months in advance with a progressive, structured programme to ensure you are ready for several hours of open-water swimming.

At around 800 metres above sea level, Lac de Serre-Ponçon also provides interesting conditions for swimmers preparing for other major endurance challenges, including a Channel crossing, with a slight altitude effect compared with swimming at sea level.

This package is designed for swimmers who are already confident and prepared. It is not a learn-to-swim or coached swimming holiday; instead, it takes care of the accommodation, local transport and practical logistics around your participation, leaving you free to focus on the challenge itself.

Itinerary

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We have arranged hotels in the town of Embrun, walkable distance from the train station, so you can arrive in your own time and easily walk straight to your accommodation on arrival day. 

BY TRAIN / BUS: 

There are direct train links to Embrun from Grenoble TGV station or Marseille TGV and  there is also an overnight sleeper train from Paris to Embrun.

There is also a regular coach service which operates from Aix-en-Provence TGV directly to Gap, from where you can then get the local train from Gap to Embrun. 

You can plan your train journey using the Oui SNCF website. This works from all major European cities. We can also help you with this.

BY PLANE:

The nearest airport is Marseilles (MRS). From Marseille airport there is a regular coach service directly to Gap every two and a half hours from where you can get the train towards Embrun. Otherwise you can get the airport shuttle to the main Marseille St Charles train station and get the Briançon train from there, alighting at Embrun.  Plan your journey using this website.

Please ask us about transport options when you enquire as we have become pros on getting people to this beautiful region!