Balaton for actives
Balaton not only attracts tourists with its stunning beauty, ideal water and colourful programmes, but it offers a huge variety of sporting facilities.
First and foremost sailing and regattas must be mentioned here which have a long tradition at Lake Balaton but nowadays an ever growing demand can be experienced in boat charters and sailing races such as the famous Blue Ribbon regatta register an ever growing number of participants.
If you already have a sailing licence, you can rent a yacht, or you may ask for a captain to accompany you on your adventure. The boats are perfect for spending a holiday with your family, having a birthday or name day party on board, going fishing for the weekend, organizing a team building for your colleagues, or even just for gathering with your friends. Yacht harbours around the lake offer numerous leisure facilities: you may pay for wellness treatments but also rent a bike. Should you wish to learn sailing, you’ll find an abundance of sailing courses and classes all around the lake and, having succeeded your exam you will obtain your internationally recognized sailing license.
Several clubs await fans of wakeboard, kite-surf or wind-surf in major resorts, but those wishing to take diving lessons, will also find their club.
For swimming fanatics the traditional Cross Balaton swimming competition is a perfect challenge. The race takes place between Révfülöp and Balatonboglár every year and the distance to be accomplished is 5200m. Start is at Révfülöp port, the finish being Balatonboglár, Platán beach. For those feeling discouraged by the distance of the other shore, we recommend the Cross Bay swimming competition which is organised regularly between Tihany and Balatonfüred on a 3,6 km track.
Balaton is not simply a giant 'beach pool' but rather a living expanse of water. Its fish fall to the broad nets of anglers in their small boats and to the rods of locals and visitors waiting patiently on piers or built-up sections of the shore. Having acquired your fishing permit, it is possible to fish almost everywhere.
There is no more relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful farmland, woodlands and hilltops of Balaton than in horseback; from gentle offroad hacking through woods to long-distance riding on the mild slopes of Balaton Uplands. If you are looking for a more relaxing way of admiring horses, check with the local stables for horse-shows, the best known of which is at Szántódpuszta.
Cycling is a real pleasure around Balaton, given the round Balaton cycling path and the ever growing offer in related services (renting, repair, camping sites). Fans will find events (e.g. Balaton Bike Fest, Kona Cyclist Meeting) where they can test their skills, compete or admire real pros. Bikes may be carried on the ferry and even on scheduled boats depending on the actual traffic.
Useful addresses:
Bike rental & repair
Tempo 21 Bike Shop and Repair – Balatonfüred
Bike rental, hiking and guided excursions
8230 Balatonfüred, Ady Endre u. 52.
Phone: (+36 87) 480 671
Web: http://www.kerekparkolcsonzes.hu
Sportház Ltd.
8315 Gyenesdiás, Kossuth L.u.89.
Phone: (+36 83) 510-330, (+36 30) 377-6543
E-mail: info@csemegeszolo.hu
Web: www.sporthaz.com
Piroska 2002 Tourist Office
8646 Balatonfenyves, Kölcsey u. 1.
Phone/Fax: (+36-85) 361-604
Mobil: (+36-70) 272-8915
E-mail: piroskatours@gmail.com
Web: www.piroskatours.hu/kolcsonzes_hu.php
Entertainment - bikes
Balaton Bike Fest
Web: www.balatonbikefest.com/2010/
BalaTone Festival - Zánka
Kona Cyclist Meeting
Jóska Sobri Adventure Park – Bakony
Obstacle courses
Web: www.sjk.hu
Sailing
Web : www.balatonivitorlazas.hu
Sailing courses
Balatoni Vitorlásiskola Társaság
Balatonfüred, Balatoni Vízisportklub port
E-mail : info@vitorlasiskola.hu
Web: http://www.vitorlasiskola.hu/
Boat/yacht charters with or without captain
Sailbalaton Vitorlássport
Tel: (+36 20) 351 1672
Email: info@vitorlaskolcsonzes.hu
Web: www.vitorlaskolcsonzes.hu
Blaha Péter
8622 Szántód, Nyár u. 14.
Phone: (06-30) 442-0099, (06-30) 319-33-05
E-mail: info@blahajo.hu
Web: www.blahajo.hu
Eastcraft Ltd.
Balatonlelle
Reservation: +36-20/554-2723
Web: http://eastcraft.hu/index.php?lang=en
Regatta calendar 2010
http://www.hunsail.hu/regattas/ev:0/sorrend:/irany:/osztaly:/
Kite-surf & wind-surf
Web: http://www.windsurfing.hu/suli.asp
Kiteline Kitesurf és Szörf Iskola (Surf School) - Siófok
Csaba Péter
Phone: +36 70 453 2416
E-mail: peter@kiteline.hu
Web: www.kiteline.hu; www.surfbeach.hu
Hotel Club Tihany Holiday Centre (Hotel Club Tihany Üdülőközpont)
Tihany
Phone: (+36-30) 701-9317 (in the afternoon and evening hours)
E-mail : info@szorf-oktatas.hu
Web : www.szorf-oktatas.hu
Open : Mo-Fri
The bases of this wonderful sport can be learned in classes of 3 hours duration. And the end of the course, an internationally recognized certificate can be obtained. Classes take place from 9.30am and 14.00h pm.
Sharky Vízisport Iskola (Watersports school) - Vonyarcvashegy
E-mail: sharkysurf@gmail.com
http://www.surfschule.in/
Wakeboard
Vonyarcvashegy track (800 m)
Keszthelyi öböl (Keszthely-bay)
Phone: (+36-70) 318-3481
Web: www.vizisivonyarc.hu
Open: 9.00-20.00
Szabadi-fürdő track (1000 m)
Siófok
Phone: (+36-30) 210-9649
Web: www.pentasi.hu
Open: 8.00-20.00
Füred Camping Site
Balatonfüred
Széchenyi u. 24.
Phone: (+36 87) 580-241; (36 87) 343-823
Open: daily 8.00-20.00
The water-ski and wakeboard track operates on the beach of Füred Camping. The Camping also gives 6 day diving courses by which CMAS certificates can be obtained.
