Ascension Day and Whitsun: California Summer Opening on Sylt with windsurfing, wingfoiling and kiting

The California Summer Opening will take place on Brandenburger Strand in Westerland over Ascension Day and Whitsun. According to the organisers, the Summer Opening is the first event ever to combine the three hottest water sports in one place: Wingfoiling, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Athletes will compete for victories and ranking points in various disciplines on the North Sea off Sylt.

Wingfoiling on Ascension Day, windsurfing at Whitsun

The wingfoilers kick things off from 29 May to 1 June. At the California Wingfoil Masters, the best national athletes will compete against each other in the first ranking regatta of the year. The programme includes the freestyle, wave and slalom disciplines. While the freestyle and wave disciplines are all about putting on the most spectacular show, in the slalom the wingers have to sail a set course and beat their opponents.

The second part of the event will focus on windsurfers over Whitsun from 5 to 9 June. The California Windsurf Cup will be held on Sylt with the disciplines foiling, fin slalom and wave riding. Depending on the wind and weather conditions, the organisers will decide which disciplines will be held on the respective days. The wave riding will be announced a few days in advance via a "wave alert" if the forecast is favourable, so that the riders don't have to travel to Sylt for nothing.

Prize money and promotion of young talent in the WIndsurf Cup

The prize money provides additional motivation for the participants. The first race of every California Windsurf Cup is endowed with 1,000 euros as the "Grand Prize of LVM Insurance". There is also the "LVM Youngster Trophy" a special prize for young windsurfers. This underlines the organiser's commitment to up-and-coming windsurfers in Germany.

The California Summer Opening is rounded off by the kitesurfers. Alongside the wingfoilers, the California Kitesurf Masters will be part of the event with a standby BigAir contest. The aim of the BigAir is for the kiters to impress the judges with the highest, longest and most spectacular flights possible. However, this requires at least seven wind forces from the right direction. Prize money of 5,000 euros, donated by REWE, awaits the winners.

Colourful supporting programme on land

There is also plenty on offer for visitors away from the water. The promenade on the Brandenburg beach will be transformed into a colourful festival mile with sponsor, market and catering stands over a length of almost 500 metres. Title sponsor Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and main sponsor Autostadt Wolfsburg will have a prominent presence on the promenade. Those who want to get active themselves can take part in the free yoga classes sponsored by LVM Versicherung. Every day at 11:00 and 16:30, professional yoga instructors will lead the sessions directly on the beach.

A new addition to the programme is the California Wines Lounge, where selected wineries from California present their wines. From there, you can also watch the evening surfer talk on the event stage, where top athletes give insights into their world. At the weekends, DJs such as Mozart, Tom Sass & Reto and DJ Bvillage will provide a party atmosphere with live sets. Admission to the entire California Summer Opening, including all parties, is free of charge.