One boat, one pilot,
eight riders sharing
Crans Wake is an association of riders on Lake Geneva. We share a boat, its pilot and the day's costs. Outings take up to eight riders, leaving from Crans-près-Céligny, eight minutes from Nyon and twenty from Geneva. Bring your own gear, and we confirm your place within 24 hours.
Three disciplines, one boat
Ropeless, roped, or above the water entirely
Wakesurfing is done with the rope thrown back, carried by the wave the boat digs behind it — the gentlest and most accessible of the three, and the one we recommend for a first time. Wakeboarding, rope in hand and towed high off the tower, is more physical and more vertical: this is where you learn to jump. Wakefoiling lifts you clean off the surface on a submerged wing — silent, slightly unreal, and far more approachable than it looks.
The association rents nothing out: everyone brings their own gear — board, vest, wetsuit. If you are starting out and have no board yet, say so when you sign up: there is almost always someone on board with one to lend you.
Wakesurf
The Surf Gate II wave, clean on both sides. No prerequisites — most beginners are standing inside the first hour.
Wakeboard
High tow from the carbon tower, ballast set for a crisp kicker. From first waterstart to first rotations.
Wakefoil
Flying thirty centimetres above the lake, at low speed and in complete silence. The strangest sensation on the water.
How it works
We share a boat, a pilot and the costs
Crans Wake is neither a school nor a rental. An outing takes up to eight riders: each takes their turn behind the boat and recovers on board while the others ride. The day's costs — mostly fuel — are split between whoever is there, on the spot. Nothing is paid on this site.
What is on board
- The boat, its pilot and the fuel — shared between participants
- Calm water on Lake Geneva, leaving from Crans-près-Céligny
- Advice from the boat, rider to rider
- You bring YOUR own gear: board, vest, wetsuit
- Non-profit association: no margin, costs are shared
The boat
An Axis T22, not a runabout with a rope
A wake boat is not a fast boat someone tied a rope to. The Axis T22 is built around a single purpose: displacing enough water to raise a wave you can actually surf. Its 360 horsepower haul 1,100 kilos of ballast at 18 km/h, and Surf Gate II flips the wave from port to starboard in three seconds without slowing down.
In practice that means a wave that does not collapse, forgives beginner mistakes, and stays hollow enough for an experienced rider to work transitions on.
Where we leave from
Crans-près-Céligny harbour
The harbour sits halfway between Geneva and Nyon, with free parking fifty metres from the pontoon. We ride offshore between Céligny and Coppet: regulations require staying more than 300 metres from the shore for wakesurfing, which suits us — the water is far smoother out there.
Arrive fifteen minutes before departure to change and run the safety briefing. Your session starts when the boat leaves the pontoon.
Coming from: Nyon · Genève · Coppet · Gland · Rolle · Morges · Lausanne · Divonne-les-Bains
Frequently asked
What people ask before booking
Do I need to know how to surf?
No — quite the opposite. Wakesurfing is the most forgiving watersport on the lake. The wave moves at 18 km/h, you fall into 22-degree water, and you start on your knees on the board with a short rope. In practice the large majority of beginners are standing within the first hour.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes, swimming is essential, and a buoyancy vest is compulsory for everyone while riding. If someone in your group is not comfortable in water, tell us when booking — they are very welcome to stay on board.
What is the minimum age?
Around 8 for wakesurfing, provided the child swims properly and actually wants to. We Say so when you sign up: there is often a board and a vest in their size to lend on board. Younger children are welcome on board as passengers.
What should I bring?
Your own gear: board, vest, wetsuit. The association rents nothing out — everyone brings their own. Plus swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a strap for your sunglasses. If you are starting out and have no board yet, tell us: someone on board will almost always have a spare to lend you.
What if the weather turns?
If it rains, we ride anyway: we are already wet. Strong wind, thunderstorms or a choppy lake are different — we cancel ourselves and move you to whichever date suits you. That call is ours to make, never yours from the pier.
The lake is flat tonight.
Late-afternoon slots go first, especially from May to August. The request takes two minutes, and we confirm your place within 24 hours.
Book now