Can you be on the water in 30 minutes? For many people in Hamburg, Bielenberg is a windsurfing spot that can be reached quickly, "an ideal spot for a sundowner session", you hear from time to time. "If you want to get your surfing heart pumping after a long day or maybe even during your lunch break, then Bielenberg is your spot. You probably won't find the perfect flat water there to perfect your freestyle tricks, nor will you dive into the barrel of a perfect three-metre wave for the first time. But you'll be on the water in no time," say convinced Bielenberg fans.
Matthias Wöhl, who usually prefers to be out in Klitmøller or at hot spots in northern Germany such as Weißenhaus or Heiligenhafen, has a smile on his face when he hears the word Bielenberg. "In summer, I was on the water in Bielenberg a few times in warm temperatures and had a lot of fun there!" Matthias lives not far away in Itzehoe, so it's easy for him to squeeze a session in Bielenberg into his diary. "Especially on weekdays after work, the spot is a good alternative that can be reached quickly."
Plenty of space and a large wind window
The spot not only offers a meadow for relaxed setting up and dismantling, the Elbe also has a fine sandy beach in this area. Depending on the tide, it can be up to 80 metres wide, with no silt to get in the way. The grass has grown quite high downwind and the spot has never (yet) been crowded, even on good days. The beach section offers plenty of space for all surfers and "the Elbe has enough water for everyone at this point, I'm impressed by the width of the river. And you don't get in the way of the big ships so quickly either," adds Dennis Müller.
The spot works in all wind directions from SSE to NNW. It quickly becomes quite gusty with winds from 320 degrees (NNW) or more. If you can't maintain the height, you land further down and have the walkway at your disposal. Yes, the Elbe is already relatively wide in this section, but the wind is always gustier in the S, SW and W, and we can only expect a more constant wind in the NW direction. The wind is generally weaker in the Elbe area compared to the spots in Meldorf, Büsum or St. Peter-Ording.
Keep your distance from the big pots
On the water, the typical choppy water of the Elbe awaits us and only the passing container ships create somewhat larger and more even waves. It goes without saying that we keep a safe distance from the monstrous container giants. "But they are already quite far away in the Bielenberg area," says Dennis. During our photo shoot, he made his way far out onto the Elbe and thus to the passing container ships, briefly "enjoying" the wind turbulence or even wind covers of the large "pots".
However, if you enjoy the view and the hustle and bustle of the container ships from afar, they provide a unique flair and variety on the water.
The relatively high tidal range of the Elbe can lead to stronger currents as the water rises and falls. However, these were "hardly noticeable close to the banks and only become stronger further out," says Dennis.
District information Bielenberg
Tides
The Bielenberg spot is independent of the tide, which means that you only have to walk a few metres further out when the tide is low. It quickly gets deep at low tide, which also pleases surfers with foil boards, who we have also encountered here. There is also a short breakwater at the spot itself, which at least makes it easy to get into mirror-smooth water. However, as soon as you leave the protection of the jetty, you find yourself in normal chop. No more and no less.
Dangers/obstacles
Mole is also the keyword for a bit of mindfulness. We do not recommend surfing over the pier. Even if the water level seems high enough, "there is too great a risk of chafing your fin," warns Dennis Müller.
Parking
There are several car parks at the spot with a wonderful view of the Elbe. "The girlfriend in the van won't get bored in bad weather if you offer her enough action on the water," says Dennis Müller confidently. At weekends, it can also get crowded here, as walkers and sailors are just as likely to be found here. Otherwise, you only meet walkers from the Hamburg area and sheep graze further up.
Good to know:
Snack on the beach: www.strandfloh-bielenberg.de
Tip from Dennis Müller: "After the surf session, we recommend the delicious home-made chips".
Tides
www.bsh.de Select Kollmar area
