Stand up paddle is a very popular sporting activity on Lake Annecy. It is practiced with a large floating board and a paddle. It is a gentle, calm, and ecological way to discover the lake and its shores.
Paddle: a sport open to all
Accessible to everyone, even children, paddle can be rented from the many boat rental companies if you do not own the equipment. We assure you, the board is very stable, and finding balance is easier than on a windsurfing or surfing board.
This activity is well suited for calm walks on Lake Annecy, but also for faster movements to enhance physical endurance.
You just need to know how to swim and attach a cord from the board to your ankle. This prevents the board from drifting far from you in case of a fall and wind. A life jacket is also advisable on the paddle board.
For the less chilly, you can participate every year in the Glagla Race which takes place from January 17 to 19 to paddle in water at 4 °C surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The best time of day to practice paddle is early morning, as the mountains reflect in the lake. Spring and autumn are pleasant seasons with fewer waves caused by the numerous boats in summer. It is an opportunity to encounter the different species of birds that populate the lake, such as the swan or the mallard, which are part of the fauna of Haute-Savoie.
Paddle rental on Lake Annecy
Paddle rental companies are located around Lake Annecy. You can choose packages based on duration, as well as family or group packages. Renting a paddle will allow your dog to join the trip if they enjoy water. The ports of Sévrier and Veyrier-du-Lac are convenient starting points to discover the bay of Annecy.
Discover now the providers renting paddles in Annecy and around the lake:
- V-boat – Avenue du Petit-Port, Annecy-le-Vieux
- Annecy For You – 13 rue Royale, Annecy
- Les Frères Coin-Coin – Avenue du Petit-Port, Annecy-le-Vieux
- Le Spot – 13 Vieille Route des Pensières, Veyrier-du-Lac
- NCY Sup Paddle – 166 chemin vers Rives, Sévrier
- Stand-up Annecy – 477 promenade des Seines, Sévrier
In terms of pricing, it is a low-cost sport, costing around €10 for a simple outing. But you can also buy a paddle, especially if you practice this sport regularly.
Tips and regulations
Before you start, it is important to check that the weather is mild and that the lake is not choppy to facilitate balance. If you want to try outside the summer season, wearing a full wetsuit is necessary. Wearing a life jacket is mandatory under penalty of a fine.
Attention: checks by the gendarmerie are frequent.
The most visited sites are: the bay of Annecy, the Roc de Chère, the end of the lake, and the Château de Duingt.
Lake Annecy has a navigation regulation on Lake Annecy that must be respected.
The Crazy Paddle Games
As part of the Alpine Lake Tour, a paddle competition is organized in mid-June on Lake Annecy. In 2021, this event took place on June 12 and 13, starting from the beach of Talloires.
The program includes: a mini-fat race of 11.5 km, a very mini-fat race of 3 km, a beach race of 4 km held at sunset, team races on giant paddles, and an introduction to paddle yoga. It is also an opportunity to meet stars of the discipline like Titouan Puyo in 2021.
