living reading time: 10 min publication date: 26.06.2024

TAKE A PLUNGE WITH WATERSPORTS IN CARINTHIA

© Martin Hofmann
Water sports at lake Ossiacher See

The lakes are officially open and summer is just around the corner. With the weather forecast calling for sunshine, it’s time to cool off with some watersports. In Carinthia, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lakes and rivers the area is famous for. Being out on the water and surrounded by nature is a great way to relax and enjoy your free time. So get ready to have an unforgettable and wet summer as you “take the plunge” with watersports in Carinthia!

 

STANDUP PADDLING (SUP)

Standup paddling is not only fun but a great workout too. Standup paddling engages your full-body - even during light paddling sessions - which is why top athletes use SUP to cross-train. One of the benefits of SUP is that you can do all kinds of sports with your board. Try SUP surfing, SUP pilates, or SUP yoga once you’ve mastered paddling.

Ready to try SUP this summer?

Kayak Center Faak - At Kayak Center Faak, you can rent a SUP, learn the basics, or try yoga on the lake. Take advantage of their SUP After Work special to unwind with some water sports after a hard day of work. 

SUP2Gether - Explore the beauty of the Lake Wörthersee by SUP. SUP2Gether has 6 locations around the lake and has many courses to choose from. They even organize special tours for families that are perfect for parents and children that want to try out this sport together. 

SUP & Smile - SUP & Smile has 5 locations in Carinthia and offers a wide range of courses for those interested in SUP tours and SUP lessons. You can even SUP “au naturel” at their nudist beach location at FKK Sabotnik. 

SUP Yoga - Beate Egger: It’s time to book your spot for an unforgettable experience practicing yoga on A Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) with Beate Egger. Led by SUP yoga expert, her program is beginner friendly and suitable for ages 12 and up with swimming skills. 

SUP Yoga - Richtigguat: Embark on a journey to inner peace with our Yin Yoga course. Experience gentle poses designed to deepen your practice and release tension in the body. With a focus on fascial tissue and joint mobility, our sessions promote energy flow and reduce stress. Blend the wisdom of yoga with Traditional Chinese Medicine for a holistic approach to well-being. Join us to unlock your body's potential and find balance in mind and spirit.

© Martin Hofmann
SUP in Faakersee
© Martin Hofmann
Kayak in Faakersee
© Martin Hofmann
Paddling in Faakersee

KAYAKING

Kayaking is a classic watersport that puts you right in the center of nature. Not only is it a fun, enjoyable, and easy sport to learn - it’s also a great low-impact workout. Whether you are young or old, kayaking is a sport for all ages. Plus, there are few things as relaxing as watching the sunset while kayaking on the lake. Say goodbye to stress and hello to fun days on the lake with kayaking!

Time to Kayak

Kayak Center Faaker See - If you’ve always wanted to learn how to kayak, sign up for the basic course at Kayak Center Faak. Once you’ve mastered the skill, you can join one of their thrilling adventure tours that show you the wild side of kayaking. Kayak rentals are also available at Lake Faaker See. 

Kärnten Adventures - Book a full three day of lessons to master the sport or try their advanced course to spend two days in white water. They also offer kayak rentals for Lake Wörthersee. 

Draupaddelweg - Paddling on the Drau: Experience the beauty of the Drau River with over 210 kilometers of scenic paddling routes along the Drau Paddle Path. Whether you're a novice or seasoned paddler, enjoy the gentle flow of the river. Convenient train stations provide easy access for exploring the region's diverse offerings.

Kanupanzi - Through partnerships, Kanupanzi offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, courses, and package trips, including canoeing, rafting, and more. Find the perfect adventure to suit your needs and immerse yourself in the excitement of exploring nature.

By the way, are you familiar with the new collapsible kayaks? You can book one online, assemble it on the spot in a matter of minutes - and you’re off on your voyage of discovery. Find out all about it at www.clickandpaddle.at.

 

CANYONING

Attention thrill-seekers - canyoning is the perfect adventurous watersport to try this summer. Get a rush of adrenaline while jumping into fast-flowing mountain streams and exploring canyons in the region. Canyoning combines many outdoor activities such as swimming, climbing, jumping, and trekking into one fun sports experience. Equipped with a wetsuit, helmet and climbing harness, you’ll jump and slide down rocks with a qualified guide.

Join a Canyoning Tour

Go Vertical - Accompanied by a highly-qualified guide, you can learn the basics of Canyoning with their “Beginner Course”. If you’re looking for something more, try their “Canyoning Adventure Tour” for a half-day of thrills. 

Fit & Fun Rafting Club - With Fit & Fun Rafting Club, there are lots of canyoning tours to choose from. Explore neighboring Italy and Slovenia with your guide or go for an “extreme” adventure repelling down the Vorderberger gorge.

 

WATERSKIING, WAKEBOARDING, AND INFLATABLES

Carinthia - a place where you can enjoy skiing in both winter and summer (waterskiing that is). Enjoy the spray of the waves with watersports such as waterskiing and wakeboarding at one of the region’s lakes. Get towed across the water by a high-speed boat and ride the lively waves. For pure fun, take a ride on a banana boat or another inflatable for a high-speed ride across the water.

Make Waves

Segelschule - From sailing to surfing, Segelschule offers both courses and rentals for visitors to enjoy the pristine waters of Faakersee. Additionally, experience the thrill of i-Bikes (SUP water bikes), providing stability, speed, and maneuverability for an unforgettable adventure on the lake.

SEEsport - Offering towing services so you can catch excellent air on your wakeboard or waterskis. They also have fun inflatables for the whole family such as a tire, sofa, and the “Disco Boat” which is the wildest dancefloor on the Lake Wörthersee. 

Water Fun Park - It’s summer fun for the whole family at the Lake Millstättersee Water Fun Park. Stop by the southern shore of Lake Millstättersee for a ride on one of the Water Fun Park’s inflatables. They’ve got tires, banana boats, sliders, and the new “Aquarocket”. 

At Lake Ossiach, where motorboating is permitted, there are many possibilities to practice waterskiing or wakeboarding in pleasant temperatures, or simply to have fun on the with banana ride & co. Most waterskiing schools at the lake also offer trendy alternatives to waterskiing. Discover your options!

Skiing in summer? Yes, in Carinthia this is also possible! On the lakes of the region Villach - Faaker See - Ossiacher See you glide on wide boards over the water and experience the real winter fun also in summer.
Get started yourself in one of the many sports and water ski schools, or would you rather watch the professionals? Every Tuesday in the summer months of July and August, the Wasserskiclub Ossiachersee organizes a night water ski show at the Seepark Annenheim, with lots of show and acrobatics. The finale is a fireworks display, which is fired by the water ski performers directly on the water.Wasserschiclub Ossiachersee

 

RAFTING

Ready for a fun adventure? Explore the rivers of Carinthia and see the crystal-clear waters of the Hohe Tauern National Park by raft. On a rafting tour, you can expect to have a unique “ride” that takes you through beautiful scenery and across white-water rapids.

Rafting Adventures

Kärnten Rafting - Kärnten Rafting specializes in rafting tours that anyone can enjoy. They even have rafting tours for families and children as young as four can join. No matter which tour you choose, you’re sure to have a lot of fun. 

Eddy Rafting Austria - Did you know that one of the top three rivers for rafting in Europe is located in Carinthia? The Isel River near the Grossglockner mountain is famous for its white water rapids. Join a tour with Eddy Rafting Austria for an unforgettable experience where you will get wet! 

For those seeking rentals (SUP, canoe, kayak, and more) in the Carinthia region, look no further. Discover a wide array of options to suit your water adventure needs. For more information and to find the perfect equipment for your next aquatic excursion, visit the link here.

Enjoy the upcoming summer watersports fans!