Lake Garda is not the only lake that offers a reliable wind system. The small Brennsee in Carinthia, which is only around 1.8 kilometres long, also regularly scores with good wind conditions. The wind system is comparable, but is weaker overall.
Where is the best place to start?
The best starting point on Lake Brennsee is on the north-east shore of the lake. This is where the Krainer sports school is located, where you can easily get in. Public parking is available approx. 200 metres from the lake.
What are the typical conditions at Brennsee?
The wind system is the same as on Lake Garda, only weaker. When the weather is stable, a light northerly wind blows in the morning, which is perfect for water sports beginners. From midday onwards, the wind shifts to south to south-east, provided it is a sunny day. Between 13:00 and 15:00 the thermals are usually the most constant. In normal thermals, the wind is around ten knots strong, enough to get on the foil with large sails or wings and make your way around the picturesque mountain scenery. With a south-easterly current, the thermals are additionally strengthened and the wind on the lake is much stronger. The water usually remains smooth here, making it ideal for foil beginners. The best wind season is May to September, i.e. when the weather is stable and sunny. Then it's not unusual to have four to five days of foil wind per week.
Foiling at Brennsee - what should you look out for?
On the south bank there is a shoal at the edge of the forest, near the white house. However, as you usually start on the north shore, you don't need to worry about this at first. On the north bank, the thermals come onshore, so ideally you should first cross two or three strokes out onto the Brennsee to keep away from swimmers or beginner surfers.
When the weather is stable, there are often four to five days of foil wind per week
Brennsee - Infrastructure & surf school
Lake Brennsee has everything you need to have fun here for one or more days in a row. The Surf school Krainer has already been mentioned, here you can attend courses or hire equipment for all kinds of sports (windsurfing, wingsurfing, sailing, kayaking, SUP, tennis, mountain biking). Fanatic/Duotone equipment is available for windsurfers and wingfoilers. There is also accommodation and catering on site, e.g. Gasthaus Wasserfaller, Hotel Lindenhof, Alte Post or Brennseehof. If you are looking for accommodation, you should also visit the www.feldamsee.at check. There is also a campsite nearby, which Camping Glintzner is five minutes away by car or 15 minutes by bike.
Alternative programme
Even if the wind drops, there's no chance of boredom here. There are numerous official MTB trails, e.g. Europe's longest flow trail in Bad Kleinkirchheim. There are also several mountain lifts in the immediate vicinity with plenty of hiking opportunities. In the region challenging or calm river tours are also possible with the SUP.
Also interesting:
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
Manuel Vogel, born in 1981, lives in Kiel and learned to windsurf at the age of six at his father's surf school. In 1997, he completed his training as a windsurfing instructor and worked for over 15 years as a windsurfing instructor in various centers, at Kiel University sports and in the coaching team of the “Young Guns” freestyle camps. He has been part of the surf test team since 2003. After completing his teaching degree in 2013, he followed his heart and started as editor of surf magazine for the test and riding technique sections. Since 2021, he has also been active in wingfoiling - mainly at his home spots on the Baltic Sea or in the waves of Denmark.
