The interesting fact about lake Neusiedl is that no matter where you go on the lake, its deepest point is about 1.5 meters. This makes it perfect for beginners and intermediates to fine tune their riding and jumping techniques without having deal with the fear of going out `too` deep in the water. In general the water is flat to light-choppy although sometimes small waves may appear at 5 Bft and up. The water is muddy. In winter the lakes freezes.
In season (between May to September) it is not allowed to kite on the Podersdorf beaches except for the designated kite areas. The beach where everyone is allowed to kite is called - Sued Sued Strand -(south south beach) which is at the very south point in Podersdorf. Entry to the beach is 6 Euro. In winter season between October and April kiting is allowed on every beach in Podersdorf. There are 2 other beaches owned by various kite schools and used only if lessons are taken or equipment is rented out. Unfortunately there is a big safety issue going on in Podersdorf between kiters and the city municipality. That is why during summer season kiters are restricted to South South Beach. The beach is mainly grass with a mixture of small pebbles and sand by the shore.
In summer, air and water temperatures can get quite high. Sometimes the water can reach a warm 28°C. A lycra shirt can be recommended on windy days though because of the wind chill factor. Throughout the season a short wetsuit is recommended and normal long wetsuit can be needed due to the sudden temperature fluctuations. Off-season a 5mm wetsuit is needed. Surfers can be seen until mid November. As the lake is very shallow the water temperature is changing very fast. So you should always bring a long wetsuit with you. March to April: air 5-18°C, water 5-13°C. May: could be anything. June to August: air 15-35°C, water 15-25°C. September to October: air 5-18°C, water 5-13°C.
The most or the good wind is in spring and fall at around 4-6 Bft. In summer dead calm weeks are also often with an average of 3-5 Bft. Lake Neusiedl is known for its gusty winds. Steady winds are very rare here. Nicest wind is North/Northwest. Just watch the weather forecast. Depression coming from North brings nice 5-7 Bft. Usual directions are North/Northwest and South. South: is always gusting from 8-20 knots. March to May: very nice wind. June to August: less wind, 1-4 days per week. September to October: more wind again.
From Vienna Podersdorf is about 70 km away. From Vienna: Take highway A4 towards Hungary, after 55km turn off exit Weiden and drive straight to Podersdorf. When you reach Podersdorf follow the signs "Zum See". When you reach the quayside, then kiters keep driving south (left) till you reach the kitebeach (appr. 1.5 km). Parking is allowed directly in front of the kitebeach at a grassland big enough for all kiters for free. Windsurfer can got to the beach near the bridge.
You have to buy a ticket (7.5 Euro) to get access to the kite beach. The ticket allows you to enter the kitebeach and the general beach. The ticket is only available at the entrance of the general beach. From May 10th to September 20th kiteboarding is not allowed within the first 200 meters from the coast of the whole lake. You can start the kite at the coast and bodydrag or walk the first 200 meters. For the general beach they claim a total kiteboarding ban. Because of this regulation, we act like this to prevent more regulations and have more kiteboarding freedom: Normally we only kite at the kitebeach or at the Camping place. There the 200 m regulation is not taken that serious. During the off season or if the weather is cold and the general beach is empty, nobody says anything against advanced kiters who start at the general beach and don´t kite to close to the beach. So generally use the kite beach. Only if there are not any guest at all on the general beach, you could also launch your kite there.
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