Wingfoiling, windsurfing and SUP: Test event at the Plobsheim basin between Freiburg and Strasbourg

On 17 May 2025, there will once again be an open day at the Base Nautique in Plobsheim. Located on the French side of the Rhine, the Plobsheim basin is the region's water sports centre. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme of windsurfing, wingfoiling, SUP and sailing at the centre. The event not only offers the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the full range of club activities, but also to test brand new equipment.

A test festival will be organised in cooperation with Surf Keppler, where brands such as JP/Neilpryde, GA/Tabou and Duotone will be presenting their latest products. If you like, you can get advice from the experts and try out the equipment on the water. The organisers emphasise that the event is run on a voluntary basis and is not for profit; admission is free.

The Plobsheim basin: International meeting place for water sports enthusiasts

The Plobsheim basin between Strasbourg and Freiburg offers ideal conditions for many water sports enthusiasts; motorised water vehicles are not permitted. With a total area of 660 hectares, of which 500 hectares can be used for water sports, the reservoir, which was created in 1970 as a compensation basin for the Rhine hydroelectric power stations, is one of the largest water sports areas in the region. The modern water sports base was realised with the support of local authorities and has become an attraction for water sports enthusiasts from the entire Strasbourg metropolitan region.

"The wind conditions are generally best with southerly to south-westerly winds or with north to north-easterly winds, when the wind can move unhindered through the Rhine Valley," writes the club. Easterly winds are rare, while westerly winds are blocked by the surrounding Vosges mountains and the local geography. "When the weather is fine and the wind is bisecting (north / north-east), thermals develop in spring, which can become very constant, especially in the evening hours. The north wind usually blows at 12 to 22 knots, the south wind can also become significantly stronger depending on the weather conditions, especially in the winter months."

Cross-border water sports

The local club Club Sportif et Artistique de la Garnison de Strasbourg (CSAGS), in particular its sailing section, is active across borders. According to member Christian Wrobel, there are currently around 140 members, including 30 windsurfers and wingfoilers. "Due to our location close to the border, we welcome members of different nationalities. That's why not only French but also German is spoken in the club. On the German side, we now have members from as far away as Karlsruhe and Freiburg, but the catchment area is similarly large on the French side."

Interested parties can find further information and details of the programme on the official event website at http://www.fetevoile.info/de.