One of the top spots in Austria! Lake Neusiedl, in south-east Austria, has been the venue for the Summer Opening and the Surfworldcup Podersdorf for the last 20 years. At this great spot you will find ideal flat water conditions for everyone from beginners and intermediates to freeriders and freestyle pros.
The best time to travel is from April to July. The lake, which is just 1.60 metres deep, warms up quickly and in summer the water temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees. The wind is most reliable in spring and autumn, but the water quickly becomes very fresh again with the first cool nights. A warm wetsuit and neoprene shoes should always be in your luggage, in the summer months board shorts are usually sufficient.
Lake Neusiedl is particularly well known for its major annual event in Podersdorf:Over the past 20 years, the end of April and the beginning of May have always seen the PWA Surfworldcup Podersdorf took place together with the Summer Opening. The two events took place for the last time in 2016 - with tow-in sessions, freestyle action and plenty of parties. From 2017, the local tourism association wants to organise several events throughout the summer instead of one big event at the beginning of the season. The surrounding area is also to be more closely involved, with the Summer Opening, for example, to be held in several communities around the lake. The location of the Surfworldcup is still being discussed - Neusiedl am See is one of the locations being debated.
Wind: Lake Neusiedl lies in the middle of the usual path of the passing fronts, which means that there are regularly strong winds for a few days at a time, especially in spring and autumn. Typically, the often stormy wind first comes from the south-east and then turns to the north-west. If it rains on Lake Garda, there is often a medium to strong south-easterly wind on Lake Neusiedl. Waves up to one metre high can then build up here. However, a good handful of calm days are not uncommon, especially in the summer months such as August. Top for Podersdorf is wind from west to north-west to north. However, you will find a suitable spot around the lake for almost every wind direction; at least if you are prepared to put up with a bit of travelling. Just take a look here in our map.
The advert: The approximately 320 square kilometre lake is shallow almost everywhere. A reed belt up to three kilometres wide lines the lake and thus minimises the number of possible entry points, often via a large jetty to a platform with a surf school and café. There is a natural sandy beach in Podersdorf where you can get in. This makes the North beach Podersdorf is the number one surf spot on Lake Neusiedl, on the South beach kiters and windsurfers cavort together. The sandy seabed slopes very slowly here - long fins train the leg muscles as you march through the water, while beginners will find ideal conditions here in light winds. Depending on the wind strength, all flat water fans will get their money's worth here. Rigging takes place on a meadow, there are plenty of parking spaces even in high season and the local surfing celebrities usually meet at the "Podo", right next to the lido.
Surfstation: Two surf stations will help you onto the water in Podersdorf: on the north beach, the team from the Surf & Sailing School Nordstrand on the south beach you will find the well-equipped Surf school Mission to Surf . There are other schools dotted around the lake. So for everyone, from beginners to prospective pros, you will find hire equipment or professional instruction from one of the surf instructors.
Surf shops:There are two surf shops directly in Podersdorf where you can get advice and stock up. At Sport-Schneider located directly at the lido in Podersdorf, you'll only find hardware (i.e. boards, sails, masts, neos and everything you need for surfing, you won't find a large selection of clothes). You've come to the right place for repairs. There is a wide range of second-hand equipment, and of course there is also new material. Upside Down offers a large sales area with lots of fashion and, of course, boards.
Accommodation:Tourists will find everything they could wish for here: From the campsite on the north beach to numerous guesthouses and upmarket hotels with private water access, every wish is fulfilled here - ideally, the spot is within walking distance.
Journey: From Salzburg in Germany, take the A1 motorway towards Vienna, at the Seinhäusl junction take the A21 towards Budapest (A23 / A4). From Vienna it is about an hour's drive. Exit at either Neusiedl am See or Gols / Weiden to get to Podersdorf.
Booking information and general information about Lake Neusiedl and its surroundings can be found at here on the website of one of the many tourist offices.
If you are curious, you will find a detailed travel report on Lake Neusiedl with lots of information in the surf issue 04/2004 and in the Travel centre of the surf magazine.
Alternative spots: You can now also find a variety of other spots around Lake Neusiedl on our map. Just take a look here in!
