Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Flat
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) is a Baltic sandy beach spot known for a large, gently sloping standing area that supports beginner-friendly waterstarts and easy access for progressing riders. Water quality is described as clean, with shallow sandy water that extends roughly 100–150 meters offshore depending on conditions. Wind is primarily driven by Atlantic frontal systems, with reliable sessions most often linked to western and northern wind patterns. Reported typical wind is about 12–25 knots, with good overall reliability during spring and autumn storms. Southwest winds are a major exception: they’re described as offshore and extremely gusty, and are strongly discouraged for safe riding. Kitesurfing is the standout activity here. The combination of sand bottom, standing area, and broad wind-direction window supports a wide range of riding styles (freeride, freestyle, and foil), with kite sizes commonly reported around 9–14 m². Summer can bring busy conditions, including a described separation of rider and swimmer zones—follow local signage and designated areas. Other sports are also possible: windsurfing is described as a classic Baltic setup with freeride/slalom options in West or East winds, while North winds can generate wind-swell waves. Surfing is generally limited—waves are described as poor and mostly confined to stronger, sustained North/Northeast storms, where the sandbar break can close out in heavy conditions. Across all disciplines, pay special attention to underwater boulders (Findlinge), which can be just below the surface, particularly near the bay edges and during low water levels.
- Large sandy standing area for learning and progression
- Wind reliability is reported as good, especially in spring and autumn storm periods
- Designated kiting/windsurfing zones during the summer season
- Kitesurfing commonly works across most non-southerly directions
- Large sandy standing area suitable for beginner progression and freestyle/foil progression for some sports
- Generally good wind reliability, especially during spring and autumn storm periods
- Cleanest angles reported for West–Northwest side-shore conditions
- Offshore and extremely gusty Southwest winds
- Large submerged stones can be difficult to spot, especially at low water
- Surfing waves are usually poor and only rideable during strong sustained North/Northeast storms
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- SW
- No-go directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Primarily driven by frontal systems; occasional light sea breezes in summer.
- Reliability
- Good, particularly during spring and autumn storms.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Shallow, Chop, Small waves, Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Long, gently sloping sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small
- Chop Level
- Light chop — North winds can bring chop alongside swell.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching; it can become narrower during high water levels.
Through the year
Very crowded on sunny weekends in summer; quiet and spacious during the off-season.
Storm season is typically October through February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reported as a very popular spot with a large standing area and sandy bottom; works in most directions except South/Southwest.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Classic Baltic windsurf spot; freeride/slalom in West or East winds, and North winds can produce rideable wind-swell waves.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7.5 m²
Suitable after the inner sandbars; shallow water requires a short walk out to reach sufficient depth for foils.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Minimum depth reported around 1.2 meters after the first sandbar.
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.2 meters after the first sandbar.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Primarily a wind-swell location; only reliably rideable during strong, sustained North or Northeast storms.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- North winds can create the swell but also bring chop; Northeast provides cleaner angles.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out in heavy storms.
- Wave Quality
- Poor
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) in the full forecast view.
Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–21 ktsGusts 38 kts
- Direction
- SW226°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2521 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.2 m3s period
- Temperature
- 7–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 38 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Large submerged stones (Findlinge) underwater—especially near the edges and during low water levels
- Offshore and gusty Southwest winds
- Groynes at the beach boundaries
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Use 112 for urgent services; nearest major hospitals are in Kiel.
Rules of the spot
Specific zones for kitesurfing and windsurfing are often designated to separate riders from swimmers; observe local signs at the campsite entry.
- Kiting is restricted to designated zones during peak summer
- Launch/parking fees may apply through the local campsite
- West–Northwest is reported as the cleanest side-shore direction
- Avoid the spot in Southwest winds as it is offshore and dangerous
- Watch for Findlinge (large boulders) just below the surface during low water levels
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Kiel
- Nearest Town
- Schwedeneck
- Nearest Airport
- Hamburg Airport (HAM)
- Parking
- Paid parking at the Grönwohld campsite and public lots nearby; fees apply during the season.
- Public Transport
- Regional bus services connect the Schwedeneck area to the main railway stations in Kiel and Eckernförde.
- Access
- Accessible via the B503 from Kiel or Eckernförde; follow signs for Grönwohld and the local campsite.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Grönwohld Camping is directly at the spot, offering camping and small rental cabins.
- Food & Drink
- A restaurant and snack bar are located within the campsite premises.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at the local surf school on the beach.
- Gear Storage
- Storage options available for campsite guests and via the school.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs may be handled by the local school; major repairs in nearby Kiel.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck)?
The best overall months at Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) are April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck)?
Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) works with W, WNW, N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are SW. No-go directions are SW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) suitable for?
Groenwohldt (Schwedeneck) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.