SERRE-PONÇON SWIM CHALLENGE
12 km & 20 km
Swim the wild heart of the Alps
The adventure begins in
- Friday 3 & Saturday 4 July 2026
- Lac de Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
The Main Event - Saturday 4 July 2026
Two distances. One extraordinary lake.
Dive into the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge - an open-water event designed for passionate long distance swimmers seeking something truly unique.
Choose your challenge:
Chadenas ➜ Camping du Presqu'île
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.
The Relay — Friday 3 July 2026
A team adventure to start the weekend.
The day before the main event, a friendly relay swim gives small groups the chance to experience the challenge together on a supervised course.
This event is only available as part of a package, perfect for those who want to soak up the full Serre-Ponçon experience before race day.
Limited to 4 teams (2–4 swimmers per team).
Packages
Choose how deep you want to dive into the adventure.
Please read carefully the event rules and registration conditions
Only available via our partner SwimQuest as a 5 day package. Includes:
- Event entry
- Coach and boat safety person
- Private boat for relay team,
- 4 nights chateau accommodation
- All food
- Transfers from Gap train station
- Transport during event & scheduled activities
- Acclimatisation swim
- Immersive experience of lake story
Possible to combine with solo swim full experience package for small groups of swimmers with different objectives.
From 2093€ pp for full package
Solo 12km or 20km
Swim Only
For swimmers who prefer to organise their own logistics. Includes:
- Entry to the 12 km or 20 km swim
- Kayak and safety kit hire (radio, whistle, buoyancy aid, Restube)
- Transfers on race morning.
- Arrival lunch for swimmer and support person
Each swimmer must be accompanied by their own kayak support person(s).
290€ for 20km swim 270€ for 12km swim
Registrations opening soon
Solo 12km or 20km
Hassle Free package
Swim + Accommodation + Transport + More (4 days)
A hassle-free option available with our partner Undiscovered Mountains for a 4 day package. Includes:
- Event entry
- Kayak and safety kit hire (radio, whistle, buoyancy aid, Restube)
- Arrival lunch for swimmer and support person
- 3 nights in choice of accommodation for different budgets (see packages page)
- Food options (see packages page)
- Transfers from Embrun or Chorges train station if required
- Transport during event & scheduled activities
- Acclimatisation swim
- Immersive experience of lake story
Each swimmer must be accompanied by their own kayak support person(s).
From 759€ pp based on a swim team of two with swimmer and kayak support (1518€ per swim team)
Solo 12km or 20km
Full Experience Package
Swim + Accommodation + Transport + Food + Coach + More (5 days)
A complete, all-inclusive stay with our partner SwimQuest. Includes:
- Event entry
- Kayak and safety kit hire (radio, whistle, buoyancy aid, Restube)
- Arrival lunch for swimmer
- Coach support for duration of trip with swim tips
- Kayak support person (your private coach)
- 4 nights accommodation in the Picomtal Chateau
- All food
- Transfers from Gap train station
- Transport during event & scheduled activities
- Acclimatisation swim
- Immersive experience of lake story
Ideal for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere, prepare calmly, and live the event to the fullest.
From 3266€ pp for full package
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.
