General Information

Lovers of Lakes is based in the beautiful Feldberg Lake District, located roughly 110 km north of Berlin. We offer kayak courses of either 1 or 3 days and kayak tours ranging from 3 to 5 days. For all courses and tours we provide high-quality kayaks and paddles, life vests, spray skirts and several dry bags. Depending on what you book, your course or tour can include general coaching on technique, instruction on map navigation and general waterway etiquette. Below you will find a very brief description of the courses and tours, which can all be held in fluent German, English and French. If you would like detailed information in English, please contact us. (By clicking on the hyperlinks below, you will be sent to the German pages, which list the dates available as well as other specifics.) Most course and tour locations can be reached within 2 -3 hours by car or public transport from Berlin.

“Leave nothing, take nothing.” As lovers of lakes and nature, it is especially important to us that we are respectful of the environment, may it be on our tours or in the courses. We believe that kayaking is not only a means of exploring the local lakes and waterways, it also allows us to take a vacation close to home with minimal or no impact on the environment. There is an abundance of routes and destinations possible - each kayaking trip is a new and unique adventure.

For businesses we offer formats that combine kayaking with team development and that are designed in accordance with your ideas and specific needs. Ralf is an experienced organizational development consultant with a wide-ranging network of like-minded consultants. Ralf has more than 15 years of experience in the field of OD and coaching.

Kayak Courses

Our 1 Day Basic Course is ideal for those who have never or rarely sat in a kayak. During this course you will:

• Have the opportunity of testing different kayaks

• Develop proficiency entering and exiting a kayak

• Learn proper kayaking posture and efficient forward paddling

• What to do if your boat is tipping or tips

During the 3 Day Basic Course we will also look at the different types of kayaks and paddles and what these differences mean on the water. There is also enough time for founded insights into kayaking and basic paddle techniques. This course focuses on:

• Code of conduct on lakes/rivers

• Further practicing proficiency entering and exiting the kayak

• Proper kayaking posture

• Improving efficient forward paddling

• Efficient backwards maneuvering

• Learning how to turn, stop and move your kayak sideways

• How to get out of your kayak, and back in, in the water

The 3 Day Refresher/Advanced Course is for those that are proficient in most of the skills covered in the 3 Day Basic Course. Here we refresh all of the above skills and:

• Concentrate on new paddling skills including full-body posture and legwork, allowing for more speed with the same invested strength

• Practice self and assisted rescue, which may seem a bit over the top on calm lakes. On rivers with currents or on big lakes on a windy day, however, this is an essential skill that every kayaker should have and be comfortable with.

Lovers of Lakes also offers individual coaching sessions to focus one-on-one on specific techniques and skills of your choice. Let us know you are interested and we will specify the scope and dates together with you.

Please note that lightweight, flexible clothing, such as biking or running gear is most suitable. If you think of yourself falling in the water fully dressed, would you still be able to move well? Lightweight shoes or sandals that can get wet and that dry easily are best. A lightweight windbreaker is always handy.

Kayak Tours

In part, our tours take place in nature reserves and we are often fortunate enough to observe the occasional Osprey, Kingfisher, Crane etc. As this region has become increasingly popular over the last years, we offer our tours outside of the peak season and busy long weekends, as we want to ensure the best possible experience and increase your chances of seeing local wildlife.

In order to remain flexible and accommodate the pace of the group, we do not reserve at campgrounds in advance. Our groups are small enough that there is usually a place for our tents. If you prefer not to camp, you are free to arrange other accommodations - please let us know you have made other arrangements.

For tours that do not finish at the original starting point, you will be provided with transport back to where the tour began.

Our services on land include:

• Theoretical introduction to kayak and paddle technique

• Code of conduct on the water, in nature, in the nature reserve.

Our services on the water include:

• Guided tour

• Coaching on boat control and paddle technique

• Short learning units either as a group or individually (as desired)

Gear we provide you with:

• High-quality kayak and paddle

• Life vests

• Spray skirt

• Several dry bags

• Maps

• Boat trolley

Our prices include all of the above, but do not include accommodation/camping costs or meals.

Additional gear/equipment you will need to bring:

• Camping gear (tent, sleeping mat, camp stove, sleeping bag, towel, etc.)

• 2-4 large plastic bags (e.g. for keeping your sleeping bag dry)

• Your own food and beverages - remember to bring water

• Clothes suitable for kayaking

• Warm clothes for cool evenings

• A change of clothes if you get wet

• Your ID and bank card for the campground registration & payment

Please note that lightweight, flexible clothing, such as biking or running gear is most suitable. If you think of yourself falling in the water fully dressed, would you still be able to move well? Lightweight shoes or sandals that can get wet and that dry easily are best. A lightweight windbreaker is always handy.

Our 3 day tour Through the Heart of the Müritz Nature Reserve to Neustrelitz begins close to the source of the Havel and takes us through the heart of the Müritz Nature Reserve, along pine, beech, and oak forests, over calm and small waterways only permitted for use by unpowered boats sometimes giving you the feeling you are paddling through the woods. Once we leave the Nature Reserve, the scenery becomes more open and we paddle on somewhat bigger waters, headed towards Neustrelitz.

The first part of the 4 day Feldberger Lakes tour goes through the Feldberg Lake District Nature Park on exceptionally clear water. With a little luck and a lot of previous rain, we can kayak on the beautiful Küstrinchenbach (the water level must be over 30 cm). If the water level is too low, we will take a shuttle and kayak the pretty Zenssee near Lychen instead. This tour does not require any special kayaking skills, however, there are several places that we must carry the boats (short distances) or put the kayaks on the trolleys (longer distances) to get from one lake to another, allowing for a much appreciated break for moving our legs.

Another 4 day tour takes us from Wesenberg to Brandenburg. This tour takes place on more popular waters, where we are often accompanied by motorboats and encounter several sluices. As kayakers, we often have the option of eliminating our waiting time by carrying your kayaks, however, practicing going through with the motorboats and other kayakers is especially good for those who find this daunting. It may seem a bit intimidating at first, but by being in a group we can help each other get through and when you go kayaking on your own, you will feel comfortable in this situation. There are ample campsites and restaurants along this route, allowing an alternative to a camp site cooked meal, for those who want it.

The Heart of the Lake Land tour takes us across over 10 lakes and along the Havel in 3 days. This tour is suitable for beginners, as wind and waves do not play such a role on the smaller lakes along our route. This is a beautiful and diverse tour, giving you a first - or alternate - impression of the Mecklenburgische Kleinseenplatte region.

Amongst our personal favorites is our longest tour, 5 days of kayaking along the Peene, also known as the “Amazon of the North”. This is a breathtaking tour for nature lovers that appreciate the river less traveled. September is the ideal time to kayak the Peene, enjoying the fading days of summer as they turn to autumn.