by Contat Fred - Posted on 12/1/18 || Modifié le 2/19/24
A spot is a place where you can launch your kite and go kiteboarding on the water. There are a certain number of spots on each of the lakes where kitesurfing is allowed. It is very important to respect the local rules of each spot because the authorities have the right to prohibit access to a spot or even to a lake. Spots like Yvonand on Lake Neuchâtel are at risk of closure due to overcrowding on windy days and non-compliance with the rules imposed by the municipality and the navigation law. So, respecting the rules on the water, on land, in the parking lots, etc. ensures the survival of the sport in Switzerland.
There are not many cool spots where you can easily launch your kite and where there is enough space for more than 5 riders on our lakes. The lakes are large, but access is limited. The spots in Switzerland are rarely accessible to beginners, as a minimum level is required to safely go on the water. An IKO level 3 (upwind riding in all conditions) is more than recommended. The rules for each spot are detailed in our Kitesurfing Spot Guide.
In general, the spots on our lakes either have a side-shore wind (coming laterally) or an on-shore wind (coming from the front and pushing you towards the shore). And most spots have trees and other nice obstacles. So, the trick is to always launch the kite towards the water, so that in case of a gust, you are pulled towards the water and not towards the trees!
The other option is to have an assistant who wets themselves and launches the kite from the water. You can also do it alone this way, but it requires some experience.
In any case, if in doubt, ask the locals or consult the spot guide to see the launching tips for the specific spot.
Yes, absolutely. It is just not allowed for a boat to tow a kiter, as it would be considered parasailing and is prohibited by Swiss navigation law.
So, launching your kite in the middle of the lake with a boat is a good idea to start safely and be able to drift for kilometers without obstacles. However, sailing boats should be avoided (too many obstacles with the masts, shrouds, etc.), wakeboard boats are too low on the water, and a zodiac with an 8hp motor will not be able to keep up with you in case of trouble.
To launch from a boat, it is necessary to connect your kite to land and then inflate it on the boat. This also requires some technique from the boat driver to launch the kite on the edge of the window, but you can also simply place the kite in the water and let the kiteboarder launch the kite by themselves. Otherwise, there are very good tutorials on Youtube ;-)
In French-speaking Switzerland, there are quite a few areas that are completely or partially prohibited for kitesurfing. We are clearly not treated equally compared to other water sports (e.g. windsurfing).
The map on the homepage brings together all the natural areas in Switzerland, and by clicking on it, you can see if it is possible to navigate in the area you are interested in. Please note that the harbor of Geneva is prohibited for kitesurfing from the line Vengeron-Tour Carrée. It is also necessary to take into account the navigation law, which has its subtleties, but that will be the subject of a new article.
If you want to support the association that fights to keep our spots open, visit kitesurf.ch.