“FOR EVERY WIND
DIRECTION THERE IS A
PLACE TO SAIL.”
WINDSURF MAGAZINE 99LAKE KOCHELSEE
Lake Kochel (Kochelsee) lies on the edge of the Bavarian Alps and due to its
location, is the place to go early in the morning from 6-9 a.m. to catch the
famous south wind called the ‘Föhn’. Here you can score an amazing sunrise
session with warm, sunny weather combined with strong and gusty winds
almost guaranteed. Best entry point is at the big car park of the Kristallbad
Therme spa at Kochel town. After your session grab a cold beer at the pool
bar or spa in the Kristallbad Therme.
LAKE WALCHENSEE
In the middle of the Bavarian Alps is one of the most beautiful of Bavaria’s
windsurf spots called Lake Walchen (Walchensee). Located at over 800 me-
tres above sea level and surrounded by a stunning panorama, this place is a
thermic machine. In the summer months from May to September this lake
is blessed with a good amount of windy days with nice, warm weather while
the wind is blowing from the north to northwest. It doesn’t matter if you
prefer racing over pancake flat water on a slalom board, flying with the foil or
jumping around with your freestyle stuff, you will love it! Best spot to launch
is the ‘SUKI Walchensee’ windsurf centre by pro freestyle windsurfer Andi
Lachauer. It offers good parking and infrastructure and is the place to go for
Windsurf/Windfoil/SUP rental and classes in the area. From mountain bik-
ing, hiking and fishing to stand up paddleboarding, there are lots of activities
to do in the Walchensee area.
LAKE CHIEMSEE
The largest lake in Bavaria is also called “The Bavarian Sea” and has three
main spots: Seebruck, Übersee and Chieming. The Alps block winds from the
southwest and Chiemsee only really becomes interesting with winds from the
west or northwest and east. Seebruck is a super shallow spot that works best
in east winds but bear in mind the reed beds where watersports are banned.
Übersee is the most popular spot on Chiemsee in west winds and is easily
accessible via the A8 motorway. It’s great for beginners as offers standing
depth water and in strong northwest winds has good waves for jumping too.
Chieming has good parking and facilities (mini golf course and out-
door pool in front of the sailing club area) and you will find depend-
ing on the wind strength and direction (NW-W-SW are best), light to
moderate chop, the sort of conditions that makes an intermediate or be-
ginner’s heart beat faster! In addition, there is ‘Windsurfing Chiemsee’
(www.windsurfing-chiemsee-shop.com), a shop and windsurf school that leaves
nothing to be desired.
LAKE TEGERNSEE
Tegernsee has beautiful panoramic alpine views and is a popular destination
for the Munich upper class. It’s also very popular as a ‘Föhn’ wind spot, being
an alternative to the rather rough Lake Kochelsee for these winds. Here you
can find small chop and shallow water at all spots. After a solid session it’s
worth visiting the Tegernsee brewery for a local beer with a Bavarian dish.
Sailing is at three main spots – Gmund, Bad Wiessee and Holz. Gmund is
located on the main road towards Tegernsee and you turn left after crossing
the railway tracks to a large parking lot. Here you can rig up and just north
there is an entry point. The spot works with southerly Föhn winds.
Bad Wiessee is best for Föhn southerly or north winds and near the old
casino area there is a large parking lot with a grassy rigging area and easy
launch. Holz works with north and south winds and is reached via the small
parking area on the B307 from Munich to Bad Wiessee.