Water sports

The windsurf centre in Silvaplana is the hub of the scene. Beginners and advanced surfers can book courses and top-quality rental equipment at «Windsurfing Silvaplana». The cosy restaurant «Pappaloù» with its inviting sun terrace right by the lake is perfect for relaxing, chatting and flirting. Salads fresh from the garden or burgers from the grill satisfy your hunger after dancing with the wind.

Right next door is an idyllic campsite, which becomes a second home in summer for many windsurf fans from near and far and is known for its warm and cheerful atmosphere.

Within walking distance is also the Mulets Sports Centre, offering numerous sporting options when there is exceptionally no wind on the lake or when a change of pace is desired. A rematch on land is possible with tennis, beach volleyball or football, while children and the young at heart can let off steam at the large playground or in the Freestyle Garden. In Sils, at the upper end of Lake Silvaplana, the windsurf school operates a second location. The wind there is usually lighter – making it the ideal spot for families and beginners. And at the neighbouring «Beach Club» you will find excellent food, a playground and beach volleyball courts.

The windsurfing pioneer in the Engadin is Arnoud ‘Noldi’ Missiaen, who ranked among Europe’s best windsurfers in the 1980s and knows the surf scene inside out. Originally from Belgium, he was immediately fascinated by the steady Maloja wind and the alpine mountain scenery of the Engadin and decided to settle in the valley. More than 30 years ago, he founded the windsurf school «Windsurfing Silvaplana» and brought the who’s who of the surfing world to the Engadin. Today, his daughter Sarah runs the school and his son Steven manages the neighbouring restaurant «Pappaloù». Noldi can still be found almost daily at the windsurf centre, supporting his daughter and son or enjoying the Maloja wind on the lake himself.

The Maloja wind is a thermal wind that blows almost daily when the sun is shining – and the Engadin is well known for its many sunny days. It usually picks up around midday and blows until sunset at a force of four to five Beaufort, which corresponds to roughly 50 kilometres per hour. This natural phenomenon makes Silvaplana one of the most famous windsurfing spots in the Alps.

Wing foiling is the newest and arguably the most versatile wind sport discipline. This fascinating style of surfing combines surfing, windsurfing and kiting – the perfect mix. The sensation of gliding above the water is truly captivating.

Wing foiling is considered especially accessible: the wing is easy to control, the equipment setup is straightforward, and first successes are possible even in moderate wind conditions. In Silvaplana, Windsurfing Silvaplana and Swiss Kitesurf offer experienced schools and coaches providing beginner and advanced courses. Modern rental equipment ensures an easy introduction – ideal for anyone wanting to try the sport or refine their technique.

Para-wings are increasingly seen dancing across the lakes. What may look like a paraglider at first glance is actually a compact ram-air wing with short lines of around two metres. Its special feature is that it can be packed away in seconds and stored compactly under a lycra top. This leaves your hands free and your focus entirely on surfing.

If you fall into the water, the para-wing is just as quickly ready for use again. Unpack it, throw it into the air, and you are back on the foil. This flexibility opens up completely new possibilities on the water and makes the sport particularly dynamic.

In Hawaii, para-winging is already considered the next evolutionary step of wing foiling – whether this trend will also establish itself in the Engadin will likely become clear very soon.

Pump foiling is the purest form of foiling – no wind, waves or motor are required. Through precise, rhythmic movements, the foil is powered solely by body tension and technique. Once gliding, you hover silently above the water and experience an intense interplay of balance, strength and flow.

Lake Silvaplana offers ideal conditions for pump foil sessions, especially during calm mornings or evenings. The Pump Foil Dock, specially built for this sport in 2021 at the harbour by Camping Silvaplana, is a meeting point for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Sailing has a long tradition in the Engadin, where numerous regattas have been held for over 80 years. No wonder, as the legendary Maloja wind provides excellent wind conditions from June to October. It was at the end of the 1930s that the Zurich Yacht Club discovered this unique weather phenomenon and the Engadin as an alternative venue for its regattas. A short time later, in 1941, the St. Moritz Sailing Club was founded – and the Engadin established itself as a popular sailing region, inspiring both professionals and beginners alike.

The St. Moritz Sailing Club offers a range of sailing courses on Lake St. Moritz, from beginner to advanced. There are also special courses for children on small boats. Thanks to the manageable size of Lake St. Moritz, the shore is never far away, and no sailing experience is required to book a course. Since the wind blows almost every day, manoeuvres such as tacking and jibing are quickly learned – and in just one week, course participants can take the exam for the D licence.

You can also learn to sail on the beautiful Lake Silvaplana or Lake Sils. The sailing schools offer a range of courses or can take you on a trip. For example, watching the sunset from a sailing boat is an unforgettable experience. On Lake Silvaplana, the sailing school is at the Windsurf Center Silvaplana. On Lake Sils, the mooring for the sailing boats is at Plaun da Lej, an idyllic spot on the road between Maloja and Sils.

The jetty, with its typical sailing boats, is easily recognisable from afar and is located on the northern shore of the lake between the St. Moritz train station and St. Moritz Bad. The St. Moritz Sailing Club clubhouse houses the restaurant Pier 34, where the cosy sun terrace invites not only skippers to enjoy an après-sailing drink. In addition to courses on the water, the sailing club, which celebrates its 80th anniversary in summer 2021, also organises various regattas every year. Whether at Swiss, European or even world championships, the international sailing elite regularly meet in the Engadin.