Honu Wassersportcenter

Honu Wassersportcenter is a water sports centre on the shore of Lake Thun, in Thun, at the Grunderinseli next to the public lido (Strandbad). It is run by HONU SUP GmbH, a company founded in 2015 and based in Thun since the end of 2019. In front of the centre the water stays shallow a long way out, which makes learning easier; the Windsurfclub Thun, which sails on the same stretch of water, is a partner.

The centre teaches wing foiling, windsurfing, pump foiling and stand up paddling, in private lessons or small groups tailored to each person's level. Wing foil courses are modular, from one to six lessons of an hour and a half: wing handling on a large board when there is wind, first flights on the foil towed behind a boat when there is none, in sessions of a few minutes. In summer, weekly training sessions are aimed at young people, including a windsurf and wing foil session for 8- to 18-year-olds and a pump foil session from age 10, run with the Wassersportverein Thunersee. The centre also offers wakeboard and wakesurf sessions behind an electric boat, rental of SUPs, kayaks, outriggers and dragon boats, SUP polo tournaments and events for companies and schools. Motorboats are on standby when needed, and life jackets are compulsory for children up to age 15.

The shop, on site and online, sells wing foil, pump foil, downwind, SUP, windsurf and surf equipment, as well as Cabrinha and Naish kites, wetsuits and accessories; brands on offer include Armstrong, Axis, Cabrinha, Duotone, Ensis, Fanatic, Indiana, ION, Jobe, Naish, Prolimit, SIC and Soöruz. Some of the equipment can be tested at the centre before buying, and second-hand gear is for sale. Buying a board includes a one-hour test, advice, first assembly, 30% off a private lesson and cover for the first repair up to 10% of the price. The workshop repairs inflatable and hard SUPs, surf and wing boards and foils; wings and kites are repaired with the Kite Doctor workshop, which the centre also presents as its kite specialist. Changing rooms and small lockers during opening hours, public toilets open day and night, no showers.