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Patrick Hanke triumphs in Lüneburg: Water Slide Championship 2026!
Experience the North German Water Slide Championships 2026 in Lüneburg: excitement, records and community await you!
Patrick Hanke triumphs in Lüneburg: Water Slide Championship 2026!
The excitement is rising: on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the eagerly awaited North German Water Slide Championships took place in Lüneburg. All eyes were on the two main competitors - Patrick Hanke, 35 years old and highly motivated, and the experienced Andreas Köhnke, 56 years old, who was considered last year's winner. Until the very end, both athletes were racing around the records on the longest competition slide in northern Germany, which was an impressive 143 meters long and offered two different tubes that had different speeds.
The event, which was organized by SaLü – Salztherme Lüneburg, attracted a total of 110 participants, ten more than the year before. Interest in water sports events is unbroken and participants have traveled not only from Lüneburg but also from further afield to compete in various categories, from men to women to children aged 4 to 17. Information about registration can be found on the organizer's website.
A fight for records
The atmosphere of the competition was electric, especially when Andreas Köhnke set a new record on the left slide with 17.97 seconds. However, Patrick Hanke was undeterred and caught up with 17.92 seconds on the right slide. The slides were TÜV tested and the safety of participants was a top priority, with trained paramedics on site and strict rules to prevent accidents.
In an exciting final, Patrick Hanke finally prevailed: with a total time of 36.61 seconds across all rounds, he left Andreas Köhnke, who needed 36.82 seconds, behind him. The narrow difference of just 0.21 seconds made the race particularly exciting and showed once again how important training and experience are.
The community in the foreground
Not only was the will to win noticeable among the competitors, but also a strong feeling of community and friendship within this unique sport. The participants' comments reflect this: “It's not just about winning, it's also about having fun and making new friends,” remarked one participant after the competition.
Water sports events, such as the North German Water Slide Championship, are not only very popular in Lüneburg. In addition to the slide championship, there are a variety of water sports activities in Germany, such as indoor surfing in Munich or catamaran sailing in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which also offer exciting opportunities for water sports lovers. Information about further events is available on the platform events-regional.de to explore.
Overall, the North German Water Slide Championship was a spectacular event that not only challenged the athletes, but also thrilled spectators and fans. A big thank you to the organizers, who put safety and fun first, and to the participants, who made an unforgettable day with their sporting ambition and joy in the competition.