Spots in this article:
To be honest, the dog is buried on Kegnæs. A few farms, cow pastures, less than 600 inhabitants, villages that you can hardly find even on rough maps and a "gigantic" 18 metre high lighthouse that watches over the cliff at the southern tip and is considered the absolute main attraction of the island. Full stop. That's how unspectacular it is today, that's how it used to be, with the exception of a few small marginal notes in the history books (for which you have to dig pretty deep).
At the end of the German-Danish War, the Prussians once considered building a war harbour in the protected Horuper Haff, a few decades later - from 1905 to 1907 - a test facility for torpedoes was installed here and at the end of the Second World War, the Nazis sank a few submarines in the lagoon to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. But that was it.
Nevertheless, as in so many places along the Baltic coast, the campsites on Kegnæs are full in summer, not least thanks to the large number of windsurfers who don't seem to mind that there is little else exciting going on. Anyone looking for the reason for this must - of course - travel back in time again, but this time almost 12,000 years.
Kegnæs offers spots for wave freaks and intermediates
At that time, the entire north of Europe was covered by the glaciers of the Weichselian Ice Age, which at their peak had extended as far as a line from Flensburg to Hamburg to Schwerin. The Baltic Sea as we know it today was largely dry at that time, as the sea level was 120 metres lower than it is today. With the retreat of the ice masses, what today attracts many windsurfers to the north finally developed - the deeply cut Flensburg Fjord with its numerous islands, bays, headlands and sandy beaches, which offer a potential windsurfing spot around virtually every corner.
And so it came about that major historical events and side notes provided the island, which at first glance appears somewhat monotonous, with all the ingredients for a surfing stronghold. Where glacier tongues once lay or torpedoes were fired, climbers and freeriders now shoot across the water. A few metres further on, on the open side of the Baltic Sea, wave-hungry surfers let off steam and in the north of the island there is a top-class freestyle spot away from the action. With this spot guide, we give you at least four good reasons to go to this "historic" place.
Windsurfing spots on Kegnæs
1 Sønderkobbel
If you invest the seven euros entrance fee for the Sønderkobbel campsite, you will be in a premium position right by the spot. Savers can park in front of the site and walk 300 metres to the water. You can rig up on a large, wind-protected meadow. There are a few stones in the water close to the shore at the entry point and upwind, but otherwise the spot is safe and can be mastered by wave novices on normal days. The east-southeast wind blows almost sideshore from the left, giving you a 150 metre run-up before you hit some nice jump ramps that break on the offshore sandbank. The spot starts to produce usable waves from a wind force of five, and in stormy conditions these can be head-high and powerful. A south-easterly wind is also possible, but is somewhat more onshore. The spot shows its relaxed face in westerly to south-westerly winds, which blow sideonshore from the right and offer nice bump & jump conditions. Even intermediates can then get out without any problems, as you can stand on the sandbank in front. In summer, especially at weekends, it can get pretty crowded here!
2 Drejet
Those who are not deterred by the dozens of kiters will find a perfect upwind spot without waves to the north of the Drejet natural dam. In easterly winds, kiters and freestylers usually surf upwind (directly on the dam), while a little further to leeward you have peace and quiet as an up-and-comer. Here you can stand anywhere and hone your manoeuvres in peace. You can park not far from the spot at the caravan site. The perfect wind directions are south to east and north-west to north, which arrive unhindered and very consistently. West and north-east are also possible, but are somewhat gustier.
Also quite nice: Bump & Jump on the Baltic Sea side of the dam in south-westerly winds!
3 Tiny Seaside (formerly: Møller Camping)
Here, too, you can stay, park and rig directly at the spot in tiny houses. The wave breaks a little closer to the shore and is not quite as big as in front of the Sønderkobbel campsite, but the wind blows a little better sideshore even in south-easterly winds. Otherwise the conditions are comparable, with one exception: it's nowhere near as crowded here as in Sønderkobbel!
4 Horuphav
Shallow water spot next to the Horuphav marina with a 200 metre long standing area. Free car park and barbecue area at the marina as well as a meadow for setting up. Great for freestyling and for intermediates, a little chop comes into play in SW winds. In SE winds, trickers cross 800 metres up to the headland on Kegnaes and find a freestyle pearl there! The wind blows over a flat headland, behind which it quickly gets deep so that you can practise in mirror-smooth water. Laboratory conditions and without kiters!
Spot infoKegnæs
Journey toKegnæs
Coming from the west, take the A7/E45 towards Sonderborg. Five kilometres after Sonderborg, turn right onto the B427 and follow the signs forKegnæs follow.
Holiday homes onKegnæs
In Denmark, holiday homes are a dime a dozen, and Kegnæs is no exception. If you search the Internet using terms such as "Kegnæs holidays", you will quickly find what you are looking for.
Bookings for example via www.profewo.de , www.dancenter.de/danemark or www.novasol.de
Relatively new is Tiny Seaside on the site of the former Møller campsite, a resort with various tiny houses right on the beach. www.tinyseaside.dk
Camping onKegnæs
Drejby Strand Camping:If you want to stay at the spot, this is your first choice. Investments have been made here in recent years, so the site is well maintained. If you get a pitch on the hill, you have a great view of the Baltic Sea. Weekend guests can stay overnight at the adjoining campervan site for ten euros. Info: www.drejby.dk
Sønderkobbel Camping: Located directly on the Wavespot. Average facilities, very nice location. Day guests can buy a site ticket for seven euros and then stand on a wind-protected meadow less than 20 metres from the entrance. Info: www.soenderkobbel.dk-camp.dk
Wind, weather and neoprene recommendation
Like all spots in the north, Kegnæs also depends on the general weather conditions. Easterly winds are perfect and can sometimes last for weeks, especially in spring and early summer. In spring, when the air is already warm and the water is still fresh, easterly winds are thermally intensified. In spring and autumn, as everywhere on the Baltic Sea, a thick wetsuit as well as a bonnet and shoes belong in your luggage. In the summer months, a 4/3 suit is normally sufficient.
Surf station and equipment hire
The Surfers Paradise centre is located directly on the Drejet natural dam. Courses are offered for beginners and advanced surfers, and a perfect training area is right on the doorstep. Boards from Exocet, Starboard and Bic as well as rigs from Severne and Naish are available for all skill levels. Full equipment (including neo and harness) is available from 15 euros/hour. Information at www.surfers-p.de/daenemark
Seaweed:Unfortunately a nuisance in summer, seaweed fins are a must from June to October!
