10 Lake Silvaplana
Surfing is also popular with the Swiss - and not in short supply. Lake Silvaplana - the Swiss equivalent of Lake Garda - is located 1800 metres above sea level and is very popular. The Maloja wind, which blows reliably in good weather, and the local surf school attract countless windsurfing enthusiasts. Also top: Lake Walen, Lake Lucerne and above all Lake Uri, where there is also a well-equipped surf school. However, due to the lack of standing areas and the rather fresh temperatures in the transitional period, the Swiss "only" make it to 10th place on our hit list.
9 Ringkøbing Fjord
Separated from the wild North Sea by a headland, you will find this huge standing area with endless wind on the west coast of Denmark - the PWA World Cup even takes place on the fjord at the beginning of September. Hvide Sande, Børk Havn and Skaven Strand are the hotspots of this windsurfing region, with endless standing areas, surf schools and campsites close to the spot. In spring and autumn you certainly won't get heatstroke here either - hence 9th place on the list.
8 Leucate
The area around the Etang de Leucate in the south of France is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is happy here, with safe lagoons and wave spots in the immediate neighbourhood. When the Tramontana wind from the mountains wakes up, there's no end of wind - sometimes so much that even the cracks have to give up.
Positive: tolerable temperatures all year round and perfect infrastructure with surf schools, accommodation and campsites close to the spot.
7 Lake Garda
THE surfing mecca in the south - between April and October, the dreamlike "Lago" between the mountains is often bursting at the seams. A reliable wind system and plenty of "dolce vita" attract intermediates and experts, and there is also an unbeatable density of perfectly equipped surf centres at the northern end of the lake around Torbole and Malcesine. There are only two things you often look in vain for here: parking spaces at the weekend and a standing area - Lake Garda is almost 350 metres deep.
6 Porto Pollo/Sardinia
Due to the strait between Sardinia and Corsica, it blows much more often here than in the south of Sardinia and the area is perfect for upwind and flat water fans: a headland divides the spot into two areas (picture above), you can choose to have fun on the windward side in a small choppy wave or in the beautiful flat water with offshore winds. It goes without saying that several centres have set up shop here and you can also stay close to the spot.
Another plus: Warm climate and scenery worth seeing - a worthy 6th place!
5 Zeeland/Netherlands
For windsurfers from the west of Germany, a trip to the Dutch top spots is an integral part of a good weekend. A considerable wind quota, huge standing areas and a maximum of windsurfing infrastructure leave nothing to be desired. The absolute surfing strongholds are the Ijsselmeer towns of Makkum, Hindeloopen and Workum, the Grevelingenmeer with the Brouwersdam and, above all, the area around Harderwijk on the Veluwemeer.
4 Lake Neusiedl
The "Sea of Vienna" is mostly shallow and heats up to almost body temperature in summer. Podersdorf and Neusiedl are home to well-equipped surf shops and centres. In "normal" years, the Surf Cup is also held here with a show featuring the world's best freestylers and legendary parties. The only drawback: the shallow waters get cold again just as quickly in autumn.
3 Naxos
Another highlight for families is the Greek Cyclades island of Naxos! In Agios Georgios, there are campsites and apartments right by the spot. Beginners and intermediates can practise safely in a sheltered lagoon, while wave fans get their money's worth on the offshore reef. A moderate price level and a gliding wind probability of almost 70 per cent round off the almost unbeatable overall package - 3rd place!
2 Rhodes
The Greek island has two surfing hotspots to offer: In the south, you can surf perfect flat water behind the headland of Prasonisi. The region around Trianda and Theologos is even better developed and equipped with accommodation close to the spots. The summer wind Meltemi blows extremely reliably on Rhodes - weak in the morning and for intermediates, stronger in the afternoon for the cracks. Well-equipped surf centres and quick accessibility by direct flight round off the great overall package and give Rhodes a place on the podium.
1 Dahab
This spot on the Sinai seems to be made for windsurfers: a blue lagoon with shallow water for beginners, a smooth speed slope for practising manoeuvres and even swell waves further out in front of the reef - everyone gets their money's worth here. Accommodation at the spot is reasonably priced, the desert wind blows extremely reliably and in summer you can glide over the crystal-clear water in nothing but lycra. It's no wonder that surf centres line up like a string of pearls here, outdoing each other with the latest equipment. Even if the journey via Sharm-el-Sheikh takes a little longer, the overall package here is absolutely top class.
