Kitespot Büsum in Germany

In this article

1. The Perlebucht: mirror-flat at any wind strength
2. Sign-in, VDWS Level 5 and the set-up zone
3. The flats in front of the bay: where beginners start
4. Getting there and facilities
5. East wind? Then head to Büsumer Deichhausen

1. The Perlebucht: mirror-flat at any wind strength

The Perlebucht is a man-made lagoon, cut off from the open water. That has two consequences which make it fairly unique in Germany. There is no current in it, and the water stays flat no matter how hard it blows outside. On top of that the bay does not move with the tide, so you are not tied to the tide table.

It is no accident that Germany's best kitesurfers train here regularly. Anyone who wants to land tricks or big air jumps cleanly needs exactly this: water without chop, which does not punish every mistake straight away.

2. Sign-in, VDWS Level 5 and the set-up zone

In season you sign in at the kite school beforehand. For the lagoon you need a VDWS licence Level 5, which corresponds to IKO Level 3. That is not a formality. The bay is small, there are a lot of people on it, and anyone still fighting the water start becomes a risk to everyone else.

Rigging and packing down does not happen on the grass, which is off limits, but only in front of the kite school. When the water is high it gets tight there. So allow a bit of time and do not lay your kite across the space.

A circular pattern applies in the launch zone. Stick to it and nobody gets in anyone's way. And only head out if you feel confident.

The advanced kite zone and the separate set-up area. The nature reserve and the swimming area stay off limits.

3. The flats in front of the bay: where beginners start

Directly in front of the lagoon sits a large waist-deep area in the North Sea. The entry across the tidal flats is gentle, the bottom sandy, and there are hardly any stones. That is where the courses run, and where you put in your first metres.

Unlike the lagoon, this area does move with the tide. So you need the tide table as soon as you want to ride in front of the bay.

4. Getting there and facilities

Take the A23 towards Heide, then the B203 to Büsum. From Hamburg and Kiel it is around 1.5 hours each, from Flensburg a good two. On site, head for "Familienlagune" or "Surflagune". The signage is patchy, but you can see the high-rise from a distance and use it as a landmark.

The watersports centre at the Perlebucht has a school and up-to-date rental gear, along with a sun terrace, a bistro and a beach bar. Campsites and hotels are within walking distance.

5. East wind? Then head to Büsumer Deichhausen

In east wind the Perlebucht does not work. Then you drive a few kilometres on to Büsumer Deichhausen. That makes Büsum almost independent of wind direction, which is not a given on the North Sea. At most spots an offshore wind means you turn round and drive home.

For the bay itself you want a kite that loops cleanly and builds pressure on take-off. Which size suits your weight is in the kite guide. Which wetsuit thickness you need when is explained in the wetsuit guide.

Do you need a licence for the Perlebucht in Büsum?

Yes. For the lagoon you need VDWS Level 5, which corresponds to IKO Level 3. Without it you are not allowed on the bay. You can ride the waist-deep flats in front of it as a beginner.

Can you learn to kitesurf in Büsum?

Yes, and it is a good place for it. The waist-deep area in front of the bay has a gentle entry across the flats, a sandy bottom and hardly any stones. The kite school at the watersports centre runs beginner courses.

Is the Perlebucht tide-dependent?

No. The lagoon is cut off from the open water and does not move with the tide. For the flats in front of it you do need the tide table.

Where do you kite in Büsum in an east wind?

At Büsumer Deichhausen, a few kilometres away. The Perlebucht does not work in east wind.

Where are you allowed to rig in Büsum?

Only in front of the kite school. The grass is off limits. When the water is high the space gets tight, so allow a bit of time.