Sehlendorf / Schleswig-Holstein / Germany

Sehlendorf is located on the noth coast of Germany looking out towards the Baltic Sea and is a popular spot for sailing and surfing of all types. The area is suited to all levels of surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers with a season running from April to November. Kitesurfers need to be able to produce a licence.

There is a beautiful large sandy beach, some 30 -50 meters wide with plenty of space for assembling and rigging and there is also a nearby campsite and a surf school. The beach gets packed with holiday makers during the warm sunny summer days and so you need to get here really early in the morning or else avoid it like the plague. You can get here by taking the K45 towards Hohwacht and then heading towards Sehlendorf. On arrival at Sehlendorf, take the sign marked “Strand” and park directly next to the beach.

The waves are mainly frontal westerlies and any strength is possible depending on the depressions. The best winds are in spring and fall with the summer winds being quite light.The spot works well in north east, east, north west and north. The water is clean and there is shallow and flat water with sandbars, making it ideal for beginners. The summers are good here and water temperature is between 5-20 degrees, spring to summer with air temperatures of between 20-30 degrees. The winters are very cold although off season is possible if you are fully suited and booted.

There are plenty of facilites here with the camp site offering shower and toilet facilities, plus places to buy food . If you want shopping, restaurants and bars then you need to drive in to nearby Hohwacht.

During the season there are a lot of restrictions here. You are not allowed to surf in front of the surf school and can only use the shallow water when there are no lessons taking place. Kitesurfers must hold a licence. You must respect the restricted areas of the natural reserve, i.e. access to the water and the sandbars. You must leave the beach immediately after launching and wind up your lines after landing. Do not jump on the beach. Also landing kites have priority over launching kites. With onshore winds you are only allowed water starts. Finally, keep out of the swimmers' zone which is marked by white buoys and do not get any closer than 50 meters to a swimmer when they are outside of their zone. The bottom line is to obey what the instructors are telling you or access will be shut down.