SERRE-PONÇON SWIM CHALLENGE
12 km & 20 km
Swim the wild heart of the Alps
The 2nd edition begins in
- Saturday 3 July 2027
- Lac de Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
THE 2027 CHALLENGE
Two distances. One extraordinary lake. Saturday 3 July 2027
Following a successful first edition, the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge returns on Saturday 3 July 2027 for another spectacular crossing of one of the largest lakes in the French Alps.
Choose the 12 km or 20 km solo challenge, or take on the lake together in our new two-person Swim-Kayak Team Challenge, alternating between swimming and kayak support along the route.
With limited numbers, dedicated safety support and an extraordinary point-to-point route through the heart of the Southern French Alps, this is long-distance open-water swimming in a truly exceptional setting.
Choose your challenge:
Choose your distance, then take it on solo or as a team of two, alternating between swimming and kayaking.
12 KM
SOLO or TEAM OF 2
Chadenas ➜ Baie St Michel
20 KM
SOLO or TEAM OF 2
Chadenas ➜ Baie des Lionnets
With its turquoise waters and alpine backdrop, Serre-Ponçon offers one of the most breathtaking settings for long-distance open-water swimming in Europe.
NEW for 2027 — Team Challenge
Share the challenge. Swim, kayak and switch along the way.
Take on either the 12 km or 20 km route as a team of two. One person swims while the other provides kayak support, swapping roles at designated changeover points along the course.
Changeover points are approximately at 7 km, 12 km and 17 km, chosen for safe and suitable access rather than to create equal-length swimming sections. For the 12 km challenge, the second point is the finish; for the 20 km challenge, teams continue to the 17 km changeover before the final leg to the finish.
You’ll follow the same spectacular route as the solo swimmers, but share the swimming — and the adventure — between you.
12 KM OR 20 KM · TEAMS OF 2 · SATURDAY 3 JULY 2027
2027 Ticket Information
Choose how you want to take on the challenge.
55 places available across all entry types
Event entries
The next release of 12 km and 20 km entries, either solo or as a team of two, will be announced in the first week of October 2026. Subscribe to our newsletter to be among the first to know when entries open.
Want to secure your place now?
Our Hassle-Free Package is already available for both solo swimmers and teams of two. The Full Experience Package for solo swimmers will be available to book soon. Both include event entry.
12 KM OR 20 KM
SOLO OR TEAM OF 2
For swimmers who prefer to organise their own logistics.
- 12 KM SOLO — €275
- 20 KM SOLO — €310
- 12 KM TEAM OF 2 — €295 (total for 2 people)
- 20 KM TEAM OF 2 — €330 (total for 2 people)
Your entry includes:
- Event entry
- Kayak and safety kit hire (radio, whistle, buoyancy aid, Restube)
- Return transfer after the swim
- Arrival lunch
Solo swimmers must provide their own kayak support person(s).
TICKET RELEASE: 31 OCTOBER 2026
12 KM OR 20 KM
SOLO OR TEAM OF 2
Official package partner: Undiscovered Mountains
Take the stress out of organising your trip, with accommodation, local transport and event logistics taken care of.
Includes:
- 3 nights’ accommodation
- 3 breakfasts
- Pre-swim lake visit & acclimatisation
- Local transfers during the programme
- Pre-event and on-the-ground support
- Your chosen event entry*
AVAILABLE TO BOOK NOW
Your event ticket is selected and added at checkout according to your chosen distance and entry format.
FULL EXPERIENCE PACKAGE
12 KM OR 20 KM
SOLO ONLY
Official package partner: SwimQuest
The fully supported experience, with your accommodation, meals, transport, swim coaching and kayak support all taken care of.
Includes:
- 3 nights’ château accommodation
- All meals
- Dedicated swim coach
- Kayak support person
- All local transport
- Pre-event preparation and support
- Your chosen event entry
AVAILABLE TO BOOK SOON
Please read carefully the event rules and registration conditions
What Our Participants Say
Why Serre-Ponçon?
Because it’s not just a swim - it’s a journey.
Lac de Serre-Ponçon is the largest freshwater reservoir in France, nestled between the Southern Alps and Provence. Its turquoise waters stretch for over 28 km, framed by snow-capped peaks and sun-warmed hillsides — a landscape that feels both wild and peaceful.
What makes Serre-Ponçon truly special is its story.
Created in the late 1950s after the construction of the Serre-Ponçon dam on the Durance River, the lake was built to prevent flooding and provide hydroelectric power. In the process, it transformed an entire valley into one of the most beautiful natural playgrounds in Europe.
The bell tower of the old Saint-Michel chapel, still rising from the water, stands as a reminder of the villages that once lay beneath the surface, and of the human story behind this remarkable place.
With over 80 km of shoreline, glacier-fed waters, and around 300 days of sunshine a year, Serre-Ponçon offers exceptional conditions for open-water swimming: clean, calm, and stunningly scenic.
A limited-capacity event (around 50 swimmers) to preserve the lake and ensure a personal, authentic experience.
Values & Vision
Built on three strong values:
Sport & Nature
promoting open-water swimming as a pure, respectful mountain sport.
Sustainability
raising awareness and supporting the protection of Alpine aquatic ecosystems.
Community
bringing together swimmers, locals, and supporters in a shared celebration of adventure and respect for the environment.
Join the Challenge
Sign up to our newsletter!
Be among the first to receive news, updates, package details, and early-bird registration links.
Partner & Sponsors
The Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge is made possible thanks to the support of local authorities, businesses, tourism offices, and sustainability partners who share our passion for open-water swimming and Alpine nature.
Become a Partner or Sponsor
Join us in bringing this unique event to life and promoting the values of sport, sustainability, and local heritage.
As a partner, your brand will be visible across our event communications, social media, and on-site banners — reaching a dedicated community of swimmers, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors from across the world.
We offer several partnership options to suit different goals, from sponsoring safety boats or eco-initiatives to supporting specific event experiences like the relay or finisher celebration.
Get Involved - Become a volunteer
This event wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers!
Whether you’re local to the area or simply love open-water events, there are many ways to help:
- Supporting swimmers and kayakists on the lake
- Assisting with start/finish logistics
- Welcoming participants and spectators
- Helping with catering, check-in, or prize-giving
Volunteers will receive event gear, meals, and an invitation to the post-event celebration.
Thank You to Our Partners 💙
Thanks to their support, the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge comes to life. Together, we turn this adventure into a unique celebration of sport, nature, and community.
About the Organisers
The Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge is organised by a local non-profit association led by a team of swimmers, mountain lovers, and safety professionals — all dedicated to making this dream crossing possible, safely and sustainably.
Sally Guillaume
President of the Association
Founder of Undiscovered Mountains, Sally brings over 20 years of experience organising adventure trips in the Southern French Alps. Passionate about open water swimming, she is the driving force behind the event’s creation and organisation
Chloe Schmitt
Secretary of the Association
Hospital director and open-water enthusiast, Chloé brings structure, precision, and attention to detail to the organisation with a focus on participant welfare and environmental impact.
Philippe Halluin
Treasurer of the Association
Owner of a mountain lodge and passionate long-distance swimmer, Philippe oversees financial management and local logistics coordination
Alex Dupont
Safety Coordinator
Professional lifeguard and rescue expert and open water swimming athlete. Alex has swum the 20km, 30km and 40km on the lake as well as swimming the English Channel. Alex coordinates safety protocols and supervises motorboat operations during the event.
Johan Brochier
Coach and Communications
High level swim and open water coach and open-water event coordinator, Johan contributes to training structure, route planning, and swimmer guidance.
Léa Papillon
Social Media & Marketing
A tourism student specialising in communications, social media and marketing, Léa is passionate about the region and Lake Serre-Ponçon. She is proud to be part of the team helping to bring the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge to life and raise its profile.
