An Epic Weekend of Wind and Chaos (13.-15.9.)
There are stormy sessions, and then there are sessions that redefine what you thought was possible. This past weekend at Lake Neusiedl was the latter. It was, without a doubt, the strongest wind I have ever windsurfed in Austria—an experience that pushed both my skills and endurance to the limit.
Friday – Before the real Storm hit
The weekend kicked off with solid, but manageable conditions. Riding 3.6 and my freestyle setup, everything was still under control. The wind was strong but playful, allowing for big moves and smooth rotations. It felt like a classic stormy day at the lake—powerful, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Saturday – Pure Survival Mode
Then came Saturday, and it was completely off the charts. The storm escalated into something borderline unsailable, a true battle against the elements. Constant heavy rain, and most importantly, gusts hitting 60 knots, turned the lake into an absolute war zone.
Even with my 3.6, attempting moves like Shakas became nearly impossible—I couldn’t even edge upwind because there was simply too much force in the sail. It was straight-up survival mode. In a desperate attempt to regain control, I switched to my 3.0 and a waveboard, but even that felt barely manageable. The gusts were brutal, the spray from the water stung like needles, and every move demanded complete focus.
And yet, somehow, I still managed to wrestle a few tricks from the storm, even if it felt like the wind had a mind of its own.
Freezing Temperatures & Thermal Failures
Despite it being mid-September, the temperatures felt more like the middle of winter—barely above 10°C. After hours of fighting the storm, the plan was to warm up with a relaxing session at the spa. But even that backfired: The wind was so strong that there was literally spray lifting off the outdoor pools, making it impossible to properly warm up. The storm had no mercy, not even for post-session recovery.
Sunday – A Return to (Slight) Control
By Sunday, the wind had dropped slightly, and the rain finally stopped. But even with “less” wind, my 3.6 was still maxed out. The difference? After enduring Saturday’s madness, Sunday felt effortless in comparison.
I was able to fully push again, throwing down moves with way more control than the day before. Kerstin from C7 was there, capturing some of the madness on camera. The entire session felt unreal. I spent four hours straight on the water, completely in the zone, feeling like I had conquered something insane.
The Grand Finale – Podersdorf at Its Best
As the sun finally peeked through the stormy sky, Lake Neusiedl delivered one of the finest sessions imaginable. Maxed-out 3.6, glassy ramps, endless power—pure epicness. It was the perfect way to end a weekend that was nothing short of legendary.
Next Stop: Brazil
With this storm chasing mission complete, the next adventure is already on the horizon: Brazil. Time to trade survival mode for warm water, steady winds, and endless freestyle. But one thing’s for sure—this weekend at Lake Neusiedl will be one for the books.
