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From a surfing point of view, a lot has happened in central Germany. It wasn't so long ago that huge coal excavators were used to extract raw materials for economic progress where water sports enthusiasts of all kinds now cavort. After decades of work, they have left behind a devastated landscape. Although dredging continues, the old legacy has been taken care of.
Today, the enormous restoration effort is a huge blessing for nature and also for all water lovers. Lake Cospuden was first presented as a model project for local recreation at Expo 2000 in Hanover. The concept proved to be a success. A local recreation area was created directly on the outskirts of the city. Since then, the experience gained from renaturalisation has been applied to many other lakes, creating the Leipzig New Lake District.
New surf spots are being created around Leipzig
If you keep reading that surf spots are disappearing from the map, it's the other way round in the greater Leipzig area. The most prominent example is the Geiseltalsee, which has been one of the ten most water-rich lakes in Germany since it was flooded in 2014 and is also home to one of the best surf spots inland. Although there is still less wind inland than on the coast, the Central German scene now has plenty of really good spots to let off steam when the wind is blowing. There is always a suitable spot for different wind directions and skill levels.
Lake Cospuden, which is now 15 years old, remains the hotspot with the most surfers due to its proximity to the city. How the directly neighbouring and still very young Lake Zwenkau will develop is exciting. Here, exploration and pioneering work are still required. And that in the centre of Germany...
Neuseenland Leipzig - the best spots for windsurfing and SUPing
1) Lake Cospuden
(Coordinates: 51.265184, 12.344528 )
End of flooding: 2000 The "Cossi" is, along with Lake Schladitz, THE city centre spot in Leipzig. It takes 15 minutes to get there from the city centre. Since the flooding, the tree cover has increased considerably, making it a little gusty here. However, it would be wrong to say that everything used to be better, as the spot is now a prime example of infrastructure: large car parks, toilets, showers, flats with lake views, sauna, playground for children, surf shop ( www.surfcenterleipzig.de ), hire and training, snack bar, cafés and restaurants - everything at the start. You set up on the meadow by the car. In summer it can get a bit crowded on the water, but out of season there is always enough space. As a rule, there is no stress here, although kiting has recently been banned. The excellent water quality is also remarkable. All wind directions with an easterly component come from offshore and it is better to head for Lake Markkleeberg or Lake Hain. Westerly to north-westerly winds are onshore at the spot, which means that all surfers cavort in the first 100 metres and the chop becomes unbearable. Then it's better to continue to the Geiseltalsee, but as a beginner and intermediate surfer, the "Cossi" is still the best place to be. As a rule, you don't have to drift far and can hire equipment and attend courses at the Leipzig surf centre. The only drawback is that it gets really deep after a few metres, as with all open-cast mining lakes.
Local tipIf you want to stay overnight in a camper van or bus, you pay the maximum daily fee of 6 euros in the car park and can also stay overnight - including a great view of the lake!
2) Lake Markkleeberg - North beach
(Coordinates: 51.271525, 12.395662 )
End of tide: 2006, where you can go out on the water in easterly winds. The wind is then quite constant and often much stronger than forecast. If it gets too crowded at Lake Cospuden with south-westerly winds, you can also launch here, and southerly winds also work. If you get there early enough, you can get one of the few free car parks right at the start, otherwise it will be more expensive and you will have to carry a little further. There is also limited space on the grass to set up, but you will hardly get in each other's way on the water. For the non-surfing family, there is a playground and a recommended café directly overlooking the action on the water. The kiters start far downwind, so there's no stress.
3) Lake Markkleeberg - Canoe Park
(Coordinates: 51.256474, 12.425072 )
The ALL-on-SEA surf centre is located right next to one of the most modern canoe parks in Europe. The spot is great for learning and getting on the water, as you can hardly drift off in westerly winds. Otherwise, the wind window for advanced surfers is quite small. In westerly winds, you can have fun here with slightly higher chop and more wind start than on the north beach of Lake Markkleeberg. There is a campsite nearby as well as holiday homes and flats.
4) Lake Hain - Kahnsdorf
(Coordinates: 51.172495, 12.434538 )
End of tide: 2007 Lake Hain has blossomed into a top spot in recent years. Although there is not much going on apart from a snack bar in Kahnsdorf, the spot has a lot to offer from a surfing point of view. Advanced surfers set up on one of the free parking platforms right by the water in Kahnsdorf and can use the steady easterly wind to jump. The picture is similar on the headland between Lake Kahnsdorf and Lake Hain. Here, however, the full potential of the spot only unfolds when the wind blows from the other direction. When the wind blows from the west, the lee of the headland offers perfect flat water for heating up and freestyling, but beware: only for experienced surfers! If something goes wrong, you will drift across the whole of Lake Hain - not without danger in winter. The icing on the cake is the Caribbean green-turquoise colour of the water, which is due to the increased iron content of the water. It is still possible to stay overnight free of charge right by the water. If the local residents are respected, this will probably be the case for even longer.
5) Lake Hain - Wake Beach
(Coordinates: 51.172654, 12.461828 )
End of tide: 2007 This rather remote spot is located directly at the ALL-on-SEA wake beach station. They offer wakeboarding behind the boat and kitesurfing. For windsurfing, you can still park for free at the top of the slope and have to carry your equipment down to the water. A campsite has recently opened its doors right next to the spot. You are on the south-facing slope with a view of the lake - highly recommended!
6) Geiseltalsee
(Coordinates: 51.313923, 11.913009 )
End of flooding: 2011. "What do you mean there's more wind than here? Isn't it less than 50 kilometres away?" This or something similar is what the conversations around Lake Cospuden sound like about the region's new insider tip, which is not officially part of Leipzig's New Lake District. And it really is. The lake on the outskirts of Leipzig was finally opened in March 2014. After extensive testing and comparison days, it became clear: There is more wind here and it is also more consistent. There are two reasons for this: Germany's largest artificial lake offers an enormous wind run-up and, at the same time, the two hills to the north and south of the lake noticeably strengthen the westerly wind. At six Beaufort and above, a considerable swell builds up, partly because the lake is almost 80 metres deep. Apart from a free car park, there is still no infrastructure. You carry your stuff along a path about 100 metres down to the water. Once on the water, it's the perfect bump and jump playground: Speed through the wave valleys at full speed, freestyle or just jump until you're sick. Highly recommended if the wind is blowing in the right direction, but not for beginners!
7) Lake Störmthal
End of flooding: 2011: The lake was released in April 2014 and definitely offers potential. In the Magdeborn peninsula area, there is a large wind window with empty spots and favourable parking. Unfortunately, no surfing infrastructure has been thought of yet. However, a holiday village and a small harbour invite you to relax. In addition to the surf action, the Magdeborn peninsula is also the location of the annual Highfield Festival. If you're lucky, you can go surfing during the festival and have fun with the bands afterwards.
8) Lake Zwenkau
(Coordinates: 51.234891, 12.330613 )
The lake is fairly new on the surfing map, as it was only opened at the beginning of May 2015. The potential is huge, many wind directions should work. Only the main spot, which is located directly west of Zwenkau harbour, is currently directly accessible. Westerly winds are amplified here by a jet effect. It remains to be seen how the spot will prove itself in the long term and how surfers will be treated on the lake. Apart from car parks, there is not yet any surf-specific infrastructure.
9) Schladitz Bay
(Coordinates: 51.438357, 12.343558 )
The Schladitz Bay can be reached quickly from the north of Leipzig and, like Lake Cospuden, offers an outstanding infrastructure. The guys and girls from ALL-on-SEA have continued to expand their centre there and now offer the full range of surfing services you could wish for: parking on the water, rental and training are just the standard buzzwords. In summer, there are also regular parties with campfires etc. On the water, south-westerly winds are surprisingly constant and strong. Windsurfers and kiters of all abilities get their money's worth here. Interesting experience: The "Schlabu" is located in the flight path of Leipzig Airport. If you jump high enough with the right timing, you can wave a hang loose over to the passengers.
10) Lake Kulkwitz
(Coordinates: 51.315819, 12.252505 )
End of tide: 1987 The "Kulki" was the hot spot in the region in GDR times. Nowadays, it is mostly used for stand-up sailing, the windward coverage is large and the wind run-up is small. Beginners will find the Leipzig sports club Südwest
( www.lsvsw-surfen.de ), as well as the guys from Unisport ( www.hochschulsport.uni-leipzig.de ), who organise their courses here.
General information
Journey
The Neuseenland near Leipzig is easily accessible via the A9/A38 motorway in conjunction with the Bundesstraße 2. The Schladitz Bay can be reached via the A14 motorway. From the centre of Leipzig, you can reach the spot of your choice within 15 to 30 minutes.
Living and camping
Leipzig has accommodation of all kinds and depending on your budget. Some spots offer accommodation with a direct view of the lake. If you prefer to spend the night in a bus or camper van, there are pitches or campsites at many spots. Free overnight stays are also possible in some places. This has been tolerated so far and should remain so. So don't litter and respect the local residents!
Shops & board repair
- TheSurfshop24 is actually an online shop, but with a warehouse and showroom. Based in Brandis near Leipzig, owner Klaus always has good advice and fair prices. Info: www.surfshop24.de
- Kitefly in Leipzig's city centre: there's mainly neoprene on sale, but you can also pick up some windsurfing gear as well as lots of kite stuff. Info: www.kitefly.de
- Leipzig surf centre Directly at the Cospudener See surf spot: Small shop in the harbour, has everything you need and also repairs broken boards. Info: www.surfcenterleipzig.de
- Sail piercingQuite new and located in the north of Leipzig on the way to Schladitz Bay. Broken kites and sails are mended here professionally and affordably. Info: www.die-segelstecherei.de
- All-on-Sea directly on Lake Schladitz: They also have a shop with all the little things that are important. There's also stuff from Severne and Sailloft to try out. Info: www.all-on-sea.de
Contact with the local community:Facebook group: "Windsurfing Leipzig"
Wind/weather/neoprene recommendations
The lakes presented here are mainly supplied with wind by passing low-pressure areas. Westerly winds are the rule, with pure northerly or southerly winds with favourable conditions being rather rare. Weather conditions with easterly winds are particularly common in early summer. With the right choice of spot, you can have good sessions with small sails here too. The best wind time is, as everywhere inland, in the winter months from October to March. Due to the cold, there is much less going on on the water and the 4.0 sail can be rigged from time to time. In winter, at least a 5 mm thick wetsuit with bonnet, gloves and boots is mandatory. In summer, just a pair of board shorts will suffice on warm days.
Foiling prohibited
In May 2022, the Saxon Ministry of Transport decided to ban foil surfing throughout Saxony, and the ban was lifted - at least temporarily - for the 2023 season. All information and backgrounds can be found here
And otherwise
As one of the largest student cities in eastern Germany, Leipzig has a lot to offer. From alternative to chic, there is always something going on. There are countless clubs, bars and pubs where you can reflect on a good day's surfing. The districts of Plagwitz and Südvorstadt are particularly recommended. There are also many cosy cafés here where you can have breakfast - if you have the time - to prepare for a day of surfing.
Those who like city tours are also in good hands in Leipzig. Whether history, art or architecture, there is plenty to discover.
From a sporting perspective, there is also a wide range of compensation options. Barbecues in the park with a slackline are standard, and longboarding works wonderfully thanks to the tarmac paths on practically all the lakes. You can also have fun in the Markkleeberg Canoe Park (insider tip: there is a standing wave for surfing here on request), in the climbing and bouldering hall or at the wakeboard facility on Lake Kulkwitz. You can also paddle comfortably from the lakes connected by locks into the city centre on a SUP board. The list could go on and on, depending on individual preferences...
