Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) is a small-beach inland spot on fresh water where kitesurfing is the best-supported choice in spring and autumn. Winds are predominantly frontal, arriving from the west/southwest/northwest, with the strongest sessions often associated with a southwest direction. Riders should expect chop and frequent gustiness rather than perfectly smooth conditions. The launch is a narrow grassy area near the campsite/hotel, so crowding can make setup and launching more challenging than at larger lakeside beaches. Hazards are mainly shore-related: trees and bushes along the shoreline, power lines further back, and seasonal buoys. Because wind can intensify locally, it’s important to plan for gusts and turbulent airflow near the shoreline. Water temperatures vary strongly through the seasons: spring and autumn are cold enough that wetsuits are necessary, while summer water warms significantly for longer sessions. Beyond water sports, the reservoir can freeze in winter and the area becomes relevant for snowkiting when conditions are safe. Access is by road from nearby towns/cities, with parking available at the campsite or hotel and on-site amenities such as showers, toilets, and food options. Kitesurfing may be restricted to designated zones, so check local rules/permission requirements before riding.
- Frontal W/SW/NW winds with strong spring/autumn sessions
- Small but serviceable grassy launch near camping/hotel
- Kitesurfing, windsurfing, and increasing wingfoiling focus
- Winter conditions can enable snowkiting
- Consistent inland wind sport conditions in spring and autumn
- Wide range of kite/wind/water options including foil disciplines
- On-site amenities including camping and basic services
- Gusty frontal winds can be stronger than forecast
- Small, narrow launch area can feel tight when crowded
- Power lines and shoreline obstacles near launch area
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, SW, NW
- Wind Range
- 11–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal wind changes (warm/cold fronts). Winds are typically W/SW/NW.
- Reliability
- Frontal winds can be inconsistent; best sessions occur in spring and autumn.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Gusty conditions linked to surrounding hills and local topography; wind can be stronger than forecast.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Surrounding hills and trees can create wind shadows and turbulence near the shoreline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Mixed — Mixed shoreline composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Conditions range from flat/chop to small chop depending on wind strength.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Frequent chop from wind on the reservoir.
- Launch
- Small — Relatively small narrow grassy launch area near the campsite and hotel; can be challenging when crowded.
Through the year
Very crowded during summer holidays (July–August).
Storms are most frequent in late spring and summer.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A popular inland kitesurfing spot on a small beach/launch with choppy conditions. Best wind is often W/SW/NW during frontal passages; sessions can be gusty.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for those comfortable with gusty lake conditions and choppy water.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Increasingly popular due to deeper water and chop; foilers should be mindful of shallow sections near the launch.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Deep enough to foil away from the immediate shore.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 metres
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
In winter, the reservoir can freeze and the surface/nearby fields can support snowkiting.
- Snow Conditions
- Packed
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) in the full forecast view.
Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–12 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- WSW252°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2412 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 3–13 °C
Over the next 7 days, Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. 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
- Gusty winds
- Obstacles on shore (trees and bushes along the shoreline)
- Power lines further back
- Cold water (especially spring/autumn)
- Seasonal buoys
- Turbulence/shadows near shoreline
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue services are reported as limited across the reservoir (main season coverage).
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number 112.
Rules of the spot
Check whether kitesurfing is allowed at this specific launch area; restrictions may require staying in designated zones or holding a special permit/membership via local kite organization.
- Kitesurfing restricted to specific zones
- Stay away from swimming areas and the yacht harbor (where applicable)
- Wind is often significantly stronger and more gusty than forecasted due to local topography.
- Always check local rules for where kitesurfing is permitted (designated zones only).
- During winter snowkiting, check ice thickness before going out.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Český Krumlov
- Nearest Town
- Černá v Pošumaví
- Nearest Airport
- Linz Airport (LNZ) ~75 km away; Prague Airport (PRG) ~200 km away
- Parking
- Parking available at the campsite or hotel for a fee.
- Public Transport
- Regional trains and buses connect Černá v Pošumaví with České Budějovice and Linz; access via connections through Český Krumlov.
- Access
- Drive from Praha toward České Budějovice, Český Krumlov and Černá v Pošumaví; turn left before the lake (before the embankment) and pass the yacht club until reaching Hotel Jestřábí.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Czech
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Camping Jestřábí I & II and Hotel Jestřábí provide direct access to the spot.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and snack bars are available within the campsites and nearby town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at local schools located within the campsites.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage options available through local schools.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs may be possible via local schools.
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 Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir)?
The best overall months at Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir)?
Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) works with W, SW, NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 11–30 kts.
What skill level is Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) suitable for?
Jestřábí (Lipno Reservoir) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Snowkiting: Beginner.