Thiessow Weststrand, Rügen

Thiessow's hooked headland offers three options: the most popular is 'Weststrand' with it's large standing-depth area and flat water in westerlies; offshore easterlies are good for speedsailing. In summer a swimming zone is marked out – and watch out for rocks at either end of the bay! For waves in east to south-easterly wind, head south to 'Südstrand', were Thiessow becomes 'Thiewaii’, as it was known in socialist times. Windsurfing was allowed here back then, as long as no-one sailed off towards Sweden. In strong east to north-easterlies, try 'Oststrand' to the east. Launch from the end of the promenade at the edge of the forest.