Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) is a small inland-lake spot on the eastern shore with cloudy water and generally flat-to-choppy conditions. One commonly cited setup is a flat-water learning environment, but another source characterizes the water as more chop and emphasizes a narrow launch with significant physical hazards around the takeoff area. Wind is most often reported from NNE to NE, with the best months falling in April, May, and September through October. Typical reported wind strength is roughly 10–22 knots, but multiple notes also describe heavy gusts and low reliability near the shore. Dense forestation around the launch creates turbulence and wind shadows close to the waterline, so staying mindful of sudden changes matters for safe riding. The top safety priority here is legality and crowd management. Hazards include swimmers and boat traffic (ships, sailboats/steamers), and kitesurfing is explicitly described as prohibited on Scharmützelsee under regional navigation rules. Even if some kitesurfing community listings exist, riders are warned to check whether kitesurfing is allowed and whether any special permit or membership is required before launching. For boardriding alternatives, windsurfing is described as the established use case for NE winds, and wingfoiling is reported as possible once away from the immediate shore where the water deepens quickly enough for foils. Conditions are seasonal and cold-water demanding: sources consistently state that a wetsuit is always needed, with thicker insulation required in colder months and lighter suits possible in midsummer.
- NE (NNE–NE) is the best reported wind direction for this launch
- Flat-to-choppy lake water with generally easy shore access from the campsite
- Wetsuit required year-round due to cold water
- On-site campsite amenities (at least during season)
- Flat to choppy inland-lake conditions for practicing and learning in suitable (wind/safety-legal) scenarios.
- Best wind is reported from NNE to NE, aligning with a relatively clean fetch in those conditions.
- Direct campsite access to the water; showers/toilets and other amenities are available.
- Wetsuit is always needed due to cold water outside midsummer.
- Kitesurfing is reported as officially prohibited on Scharmützelsee, so riders must verify legality before launching.
- Launch area can be extremely narrow with dangerous trees and limited space.
- Wind near shore can be turbulent with gustiness and wind shadows from dense forestation.
- Can be crowded with campers and sunbathers in summer.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Listed as gradient/NE–NNE driven wind at this lake spot; also described as gusty/variable near shore.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Reported as heavy gusts in some conditions.
- Best Months
- April, May, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Some sources describe mixed composition; sand is explicitly reported, including sand bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Wave conditions for surfing aren’t specified; water is described as flat/flat-water and also as chop by different sources.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Described as flat to choppy; another source specifically lists chop.
- Launch
- Small — Small grassy and sandy area within the campsite grounds, bordered by trees.
Through the year
Can be crowded with campers and swimmers in July and August; quiet in the off-season.
Thunderstorms are most common in July and August (reported).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-water lake conditions with gentle learning potential are described by one source; however, kitesurfing legality is a major issue—kitesurfing is described as prohibited on Scharmützelsee, and there is also a warning about trees/limited launch space.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
A long-established use case for local windsurfers, particularly in North-East winds with a clean fetch across the lake. Must respect swimming/commerce zones.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–8.5 m²
Reported as suitable once away from the immediate shore where the water deepens quickly enough for foils.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foils reported to be workable as depth increases away from launch.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–7 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) in the full forecast view.
Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- SW224°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 7–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. 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
- Swimmers
- Ships
- Trees near the launch
- Stones in shallow water
- Offshore buoys
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported at the launch; regional seasonal rescue services may operate around the lake.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional water rescue services are described as available during summer via DLRG stations.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Bad Saarow; general emergency number is 112 (regional).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local friction is mostly tied to access/space and legal compliance for kitesurfing.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing may be restricted or prohibited on the lake—check local/legal permission before launching. Maintain safe distances from swimmers and commercial traffic zones.
- Kitesurfing is officially prohibited on Scharmützelsee under the regional navigation rules (Landesschifffahrtsverordnung).
- Night riding forbidden (reported).
- Respect swimming zones and fairways for commercial shipping (reported).
- Best wind is North-East (NNE–NE).
- Keep kite well away from the shoreline/beach users (reported guidance: around 50m clearance).
- NE wind is the only direction reported as reasonably steady here.
- Check whether kitesurfing is permitted locally; a special permit or local kite org membership may be required.
- Park outside the campsite if you are not staying there to avoid issues.
- Rig carefully: the launch area can be very narrow with limited space.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bad Saarow
- Nearest Town
- Wendisch Rietz
- Parking
- Limited parking at/near the Campingplatz Schwarzhorn; fees usually apply for day visitors (reported).
- Access
- Take A12 and exit at Fürstenwalde West, then drive towards Bad Saarow and Wendisch Rietz to reach the Schwarzhorn campsite/lake shore.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and a wider range of hotels/holiday rentals around Bad Saarow.
- Food & Drink
- A restaurant/bistro is typically available within the campsite during the season.
- Equipment Rental:
- No specialized wind/water sport rentals directly at this specific launch (reported). Equipment rental may be available via nearby schools in the region.
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 Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee)?
The best overall months at Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) are April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee)?
Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) works with NNE, NE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 6–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–7 m². The typical wind range is 10–22 kts.
What skill level is Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) suitable for?
Schwarzhorn (Scharmützelsee) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.