Fontenay on the western shore. Festivals, recreation and sport Festivals Usually during May, the Japanese community in Hamburg organizes the annual Kirschblütenfest (Cherry Blossom Festival) around Außenalster. Less regularly − that is, only when a winter becomes cold enough and the Außenalster's ice strong enough − the Alstereisvergnügen is held on the frozen Alster. Alsterpark Almost all banks of the Außenalster are public. Formerly private gardens on the western side were made public while Hamburg was host to the Internationale Gartenbauausstellung (International Horticulture Show, IGA) in 1953. The banks vary from a small strip of green to large public parks (e.g. the Alstervorland). The long pathway around the lake is very popular for joggers. Water sports Because of frequently occurring gusts, the lake is considered no easy sailing area. The Alster's water is regularly tested for quality, and considered "very clean" by German standards. Nevertheless, swimming is not recommended, because of the density of watercraft and an oftentimes shallow vision. A number of famous, long-standing sailing and rowing clubs are based around Außenalster: like Der Hamburger und Germania Ruder Club (est. 1836), Ruderclub Allemannia (est. 1866), Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (est. 1868) or Hamburger Segel-Club (est. 1926). See also List of lakes in Schleswig-Holstein List of lakes in Germany Notes References Statistical office Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein Statistisches Amt für Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein Statistisches Jahrbuch 2006/2007 (ISSN 1614-8045) External links Photos of Außenalster on bilderbuch-hamburg.de Photos of Außenalster on bilder-hamburg.info Lakes of Hamburg Artificial lakes Sports venues in Hamburg Sailing in Germany Tourist attractions in Hamburg de:Alster#Außenalster