The fact that Fehmarn offers almost perfect conditions for all skill levels is anything but a secret. Just under an hour and a half's drive from Hamburg (sometimes a looooonger, depending on roadworks), the island with the much-cited sunshine statistics offers spots of all kinds. Those who venture into planing, harnessing and loop surfing after a surf course usually turn right after the Fehmarnsund Bridge and put their board in the water at Wulfener Hals. But the other side of the island is also worth a look. The Orther Reede may be a little larger, but between small boat harbours and islets inhabited only by birds, you will find ideal conditions for getting out on the water. The village of Lemkenhafen is not only pretty to look at, but also has a surf school and a great spot to offer.
Journey
If you have found your way to Fehmarn and made it over the bridge, take the first exit from the main road (from Puttgarden, exit Burg/Landkirchen) and then turn left towards Landkirchen. Turn off opposite the church in the direction of Neujellingsdorf. At the end turn left, second right and you're there! The spot in Lemkenhafen is right next to the surf school and the school hostel (for satnav: Königsstraße 10). There are parking spaces at the harbour and at the mill.
Wind & weather in Lemkenhafen
As everywhere in northern Germany, areas of low pressure moving through provide the best chance of good wind. These are usually to be found in spring and autumn, in summer the chance is somewhat lower. The shallow water in the Orther Reede heats up more quickly than in the open Baltic Sea, but the wide opening to the Fehmarn Sound means you shouldn't expect a bathtub. For this reason, a 4/3 neo should also be in your luggage in Lemkenhafen in summer in order to have fun on the water for as long as possible. As at many sheltered Baltic Sea spots, you should bring a seaweed fin from May onwards, otherwise you won't be able to glide. The situation becomes somewhat critical during prolonged storms from the west or east: the current in the sound can then suck the Orth roadstead so dry that shallow areas no longer have enough water under the fin.
Spots in Lemkenhafen
Alongside Burger Binnensee, Orther Reede to the west is the second largest bay on Fehmarn. Bigger waves don't stand a chance here, even in storms it only gets a little choppy at most. Lemkenhafen is located on the northern shore, the surf spot is framed by the marina, the eastern shore and the bird sanctuary island of Warder to the south. It is shallow almost everywhere in between, so you can get back on the board quickly. Unfortunately, the ground is a bit rocky. As kiters are mainly at the Gollendorf spot on the other side of the village, the water in Lemkenhafen is always relaxed. The best wind directions are south-west to south-east, then the wind comes diagonally onshore.
If you are more confident, you can also head to Westerbergen on the eastern shore of Orther Reede in westerly winds. There is a car park right on the water here, but no infrastructure. Otherwise the conditions are similar, with a few choppy waves at most. It is not for nothing that the German Freestyle Battles regularly start here in perfect flat water conditions.
And in a calm?
There are enough attractions on Fehmarn to get you through a slack day in Lemkenhafen. Most people are then drawn to Burg, but it can get crowded here in the high season. But with an aquarium, climbing silo, surf museum and lots of beautiful spots on the island, there are plenty of alternatives.
