Lake Annecy is often a fairly calm body of water, with preserved natural areas like its magnificent reed beds. Kayaking is an ideal sport to discover the richness of the shores and the seabed.
Discover the wildlife of Lake Annecy
This already ancient sport allows tourists as well as locals to navigate on the lake without needing to take lessons. Indeed, it is enough to know how to swim, to get into the kayak, to paddle, and off you go.
It is advisable for beginners to stay close to the shore and not to exceed the yellow buoys. This way, you are in a calm area where motorboats must move slowly. By paddling quietly and slowly, you may spot many fish such as perch and little perch that are present along the shore of Lake Annecy. Birds can be seen near the ports and reed beds. You may encounter the mallard, the coot (commonly called water hen), and the swan.
Whitewater kayaking on the rivers around Annecy
The kayaking clubs of Annecy benefit from two remarkable natural playgrounds for practicing this sport: the Fier and the Chéran. Like a ski slope, you can descend many streams from our mountains. This practice requires a good knowledge of weather and hydrological conditions before heading out. The torrents of Haute-Savoie can change flow in a matter of hours in case of storms or heavy rainfall.
A game of kayak polo on Lake Annecy
This new discipline makes kayaking fun. The ball carrier can be overturned by the opposing team. The challenge is to turn around in the shortest time possible. The kayak polo boats are shorter to maneuver more easily. The front tips are padded to avoid injuries, and the back of the kayak is flat for a quick turnaround. The Annecy Canoe Kayak Club fields two teams and offers a regional tournament at the Imperial beach as well as training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM at the club.
Clubs and kayak rental
To participate in this sporting activity, you will need to either go through a club or a boat rental service. The Canoe Kayak Club of Annecy is ideally located near the Marquisats beach. If you live in Annecy, club membership is necessary to participate in various activities.
And if you are there for a few days, the club offers a temporary membership valid for a few hours. The equipment is provided by the sports structure, and you will benefit from guidance just before your departure.
Registrations are possible from early July.
This club also offers summer camps for children aged 7 to 14, an ideal way to gain independence and improve in this sport.
You also have the option to rent a kayak along the shores of the lake, but curiously, you should rather contact the campgrounds and bike rental services.
The boats offered are three-seat kayaks: two adults and one child. Don’t forget to place your personal belongings (documents, money, and phone) in the dry container provided for this purpose.
The rates are modest, you should expect to pay €10 for an hour.
For safety, life jackets are mandatory.
Don’t forget to bring something to drink, sunscreen (as the sun can be strong due to reflection), and something to change into upon return.
In case of strong winds, you should quickly return to shore, as you can drift quite far with a kayak.
Here are some canoe kayak clubs to practice among enthusiasts:
- Annecy Canoe Kayak Club: Nautical Base of Marquisats, 33 rue des Marquisats, 74000 ANNECY – Tel: 04 50 45 03 98
- Sevrier Canoe Kayak Club: Nautical base, Route du Port, 74 320 Sévrier – Tel: 04 50 52 40 04
- UNCA-Sailing: 29 avenue du Petit Port, 74940 Annecy-le-Vieux – Tel: 06 78 35 83 42
- Skiwake 74: 120 route de la Plage, 74210 Doussard – Tel: 06 82 41 85 40
You can also try rowing, which is a sliding water sport quite similar. Many clubs allow you to practice according to your level, from initiation to competition.
