Fehmarn

That is, until you approach Fehmarn’s gravitational field and the Republic’s favourite breaks. The island doesn’t just have wind every other day, at only 20km across there’s a cross-shore launch nearby in any wind direction. And even if the waves aren’t as big as the North Sea, there’s something for everyone. All that said, it’s the flat-water spots with their massive standing-depth areas that make the island so versatile. The kiting pioneers discovered this early, sparking a real boom. After a few locals made the top ten in the German kite rankings, Fehmarn went mainstream. Not just the venues but also the infrastructure is top-quality. Nowhere else in Germany is there such a high concentration of surf-shops, plus 17 campsites and 2,000 holiday cottages to let. Despite all that popularity, the mood’s good; relaxed, open and friendly.