- Do you have information on surf spots? Write to us at redaktion@surf-magazin.de!
The "Move" surf shop in Podersdorf on Lake Neusiedl has been at a new location since the start of the season. You can now find the shop in the premises of the pizzeria "Johnnys Friends" at Seeufergasse 21, in the immediate vicinity of the north beach. "We have created a modern concept store that combines shop and catering in an innovative way and is intended to be a meeting place for surfers and connoisseurs," says the team with Rainer Prankl, surf tester Frank Lewisch and Christian Petz. In the shop you will find windsurfing, wingfoil, SUP and kite equipment from GunSails and North Sails, among others, as well as a large fashion range!
- Information and contact at move-surfstore.at and johnnysfriends.at
Closure at Wulfener Hals - how you can still get to the water
Windsurfers on Fehmarn can breathe a sigh of relief: despite initial rumours and uncertainty that Wulfen Hals would be completely closed, there is now a positive solution. The popular windsurfing spot has been in the spotlight in recent weeks after news circulated that the area would be completely closed due to bird protection measures. However, this information was incorrect. Although one of the popular car parks (the "Surferwiese": on the left after crossing the dyke on Wulfener-Hals-Weg) was closed due to these protective measures, it was possible to create between 40 and 50 new parking spaces on the diagonally opposite side of the road by redesigning the area. These car parks are still available to surfers and the previous daily charge of 10 euros remains in place. Additional parking spaces will be created in the area of the planned surf and golf hotel, which is expected to open around Ascension Day. The hotel, which is unique in its kind on Fehmarn, will have special facilities for surfers, including lockable lockers and showers in the entrance area to make the stay easier for water sports enthusiasts.
The Fehmarn surf shop provides detailed information about the current situation and the future at the Wulfener Hals hotspot via video message:
Paradisus by Meliá - New hotel opening in Sotavento
At the popular windsurfing spot of Sotavento on Fuerteventura, the former Hotel Gorriones is opening under a new name - Paradisus by Meliá. The hotel is due to open in August 2025, when guests will once again be able to stay at the top spot near the René Egli Pro Centre with a direct view of the water. However, anyone wishing to check into Paradisus should have the necessary small change, as the hotel will be in the luxury segment. All-inclusive accommodation in a double room starts at around 370 euros per night. Information is available on the Website of the provider.
Updates from the past year
Discounts, pump foiling, miniramp and more on 31 August at Windsurfing Hamburg
Windsurfing Hamburg, the shop at Oortkatensee, is celebrating a new start and change of ownership (see below) on 31 August 2024 from 10:00 a.m. with the opening of a mini-ramp and a pump foil table. In the shop, there are huge discounts on windsurfing, wing, SUP and kite equipment from stock, and windsurfing foil equipment is even reduced by up to 70%. Test equipment is also available at favourable prices. "We also want to keep the café open until 10 p.m. when the weather is nice so that you can enjoy delicious drinks (coffee specialities, long drinks, Aperol and Sarti Spritz, beer, etc.) and food (tarte flambée and homemade cakes) even when the sun goes down," writes owner Sebastian Emmeluth. With the relaunch, Windsurfing Hamburg is also changing its name and is now called weAre Surfshop.
- More information and online shop at windsurfing-hamburg.de
Seaweed plague in Ringkøbing
In our Spot Guide from Ringkøbing Fjord we introduced you to the great shallow water spot in the east on the outskirts of Ringkøbing. When we researched the guide at the beginning of June, there were already very large fields of seaweed there. But with a weed fin, it was still good to go at that time. Reader Ann-Sofie has now written to us: "Thank you so much for your great spot guide! I just wanted to let you know that surfing at Ringkøbing Surfklub is not possible now because the seaweed is incredibly thick. The kiters were already having problems, the windsurfers couldn't glide at all and the wingfoilers were at a complete standstill! Those who are on holiday in August should know this. All the best, Ann-Sofi from Sweden"
Current prices Achensee
At the popular thermal spot in Tyrol, there are at least two charges (if you can get there without using the motorway). Parking at the popular Achensee car park in the middle of the lake costs from 2 euros/hour to 8 euros/day. In addition, every windsurfer or wingfoiler must purchase a licence. The inventors seem to have copied the pricing from the motorway vignette; there is no day ticket: the smallest unit is the weekly ticket and costs 11 euros/person.
New start at the Wangerooge surf school
On the East Frisian island of Wangerooge, four motivated water sports enthusiasts have set out to revitalise the surfing community. They have already equipped the surf school with new windsurfing, wingsurfing and kitesurfing equipment. Lukas, Luzi, Benny and Silfi are also keen to get local children and beginners on the boards. In the long term, a water sports club is planned with the island school. The courses can take place on the mudflats or on the North Sea. At the same time, the four have also breathed new life into the surf café as a meeting place for the water sports scene.
- More info at windsurfing-wangerooge.de
New opening at Windsurfing Hamburg
Windsurfing Hamburg at Oortkatensee and Hohendeicher See has a new owner and is celebrating its reopening on 29 and 30 June. The latest windsurfing, wingfoil and SUP equipment will be available to test on both days. If you would rather look for second-hand bargains, you should come to the surf flea market on Saturday - here you can sell your own stuff without registering. There will also be a raffle, live music, drinks, food and much more!
- All information under surf-hamburg.com
Steinhuder Meer: Closures on the southern shore
Parallel to the Petition to review the winter closure at Steinhuder Meer (see below), we received an e-mail from a surf reader: "For about 2-3 years now, the access points on the southern shore of the Steinhuder Sea closed due to measures taken by the Hannover region. This means that surfers from the Hanover or Bielefeld area, among others, have to make a much longer journey to Mardorf on the north bank. Not only is this not exactly compatible with environmental considerations due to the additional fuel consumption, but the car parks there are logically overcrowded on good days. It's also incomprehensible that the car parks have been closed under the pretext of "nature conservation" when they are right next to sailing pontoons. Also very strange: on the tin signs with the map of the Steinhuder Meer, eight kayaking sites are marked, but not one surfing site - even though a "surfing area" in Mardorf is marked (see picture above). However, it is a pity that all surfers / sailors / water sports enthusiasts who started from the south bank always respected the nature conservation areas cordoned off by buoys and normally stayed on the "open water". In general, I miss the cooperation (as with the "winter navigation ban")."
(Name known to the editors)
Cold Hawaii: Beach stairs in Hanstholm, surf shops with a new name
A lot is happening at Northern Europe's top spot in Hanstholm: after the closure of the fishmeal factory a few years ago significantly upgraded the spot, the municipality wants to connect the dune and meadow landscape more closely with the hinterland. To this end, there is a new staircase at the dune that leads to Havskoven and the village. There will also be a playground nearby. And those who have already travelled in and out of the shell-covered limestone reef while surfing can look forward to three new rope ladder-like steps that allow you to climb up the dune with some elegance.
The surf shops in Klitmøller and Vorupør have been operating under a new name since this year: The operators have separated from the West Wind chain and now sell and train under the name "Surf Pro Cold Hawaii". The service and offerings are still top-notch, and there are also beautiful new designs for shirts and hoodies
Hvide Sande: Heliport at the harbour off the table
A helicopter landing pad was to be set up at Hvide Sande harbour, with up to 10,000 take-offs and landings per year. After protests from many locals, the harbour authority relented and abandoned the plans!
Steinhuder Meer: Petition against winter closure
There is also a petition on the Steinhuder Meer: from 1 November to 31 March, water sports are prohibited on the Steinhuder Meer, as well as on the Dümmer. Some locals now want to overturn this and have submitted a petition to the Lower Saxony state parliament, which can be signed for six weeks.
Car parks at Walchensee in danger
The already extremely tense car park situation at Walchensee could soon become even worse. Closures are planned at the Kirchelwand tunnel, among other places. According to a report in the "Tölzer Kurier" newspaper, a barrier is to be erected there. This would leave only around ten parking spaces next to the road about 200 metres further south at the best spot on Lake Walchensee. This would virtually eliminate the spot.
