Surfing in the Netherlands: A Coldwater Adventure
Yes, I know.. The Netherlands might not be the first country coming to your mind when thinking about surfing in Europe. The weather in the region is famous for its unpredictability. Even though the weather is not always that promising, the surfing conditions can be pretty good. The Netherlands has a long coastline and a number of proper surfing beaches.
If i can say one thing about the surfing here it is this: “You don’t take it for granted, you really appreciate it. Getting waves at this place that doesn't receive a good swell so often is an amazing experience”.
My homespot delivering the goods
Winter Sessions: A lot of surfers leave the winter cold behind and go surf destinations where you can feel the summer. That is a shame though, because winter here is the season to go out and score.
With an average winter the temperatures drop to 5 degrees and below, so a thick suit with a cap, gloves, and boots is definitely needed. (surfer: Pieter Passenier)
In the winter there's a chance of beautiful waves from the north when a storm near Scotland and Norway brings up the ''swell motor '' and propels nice waves towards our coast with a cold east breeze for nice clean waves.
Barrel Time! Offshore wind and swell combined.
For us here in the south (Zealand) the sea produces often hollow and fast waves. The banks are shaped between wooden jetties. It'll accept any swell direction and of course it can handle a good offshore. The spots are best on a north swell and a light E wind at high tides, and with a strong SW at lower tides.
Surfer Coen Murk taking off on his last wave of the day on a cold February afternoon.
Spring sessions: When the water is getting warmer and you no longer require a 5/4 mm wetsuit and a decent 4/3 is enough, throw those boots and gloves off and enjoy more freedom of movement.
Local legend Danny Bastiaanse charging on a great day on our local break.
Summer is usually flat around here, but spring often sees SW swells. We can sometimes be blessed with a rare groundswell, but mainly it is just locally produced storm swells that are sometimes cleaned up by offshore winds.
On a cold day in May last year the Northsea came alive and produced something that i haven't seen in my entire life. I was just at the right place at the right time to take this photo after i've surfed for hours myself.
Summer sessions: Temperatures rising till 30 Degrees, beachlife! Sometimes it is flat for weeks, or messy at best, but sometimes it is ON for days in a row.
The sunsets are amazing, especially at home. Sunny, crisp summer days followed by beautiful skies.
Waiting for a southwest wind, or on a storm somewhere near Scotland and Norway, so that the wave production starts and after that a north or north west wind that brings the waves in our direction.
Preferably no wind, or an offshore wind. That results in the Netherlands having it's so called "French days" in surfing terms.
I remember most summers at home just chilling at the beach, having a lot of bbq's, and doing a lot of other activities besides surfing.
Autumn Sessions: The days are getting shorter, the swells are getting longer, and the waves stronger. The water is still at its warmest, so it's comfortable in your 3/2 or 4/3 suit.
Autumn, one of my favorite seasons and here's why. (Empty A-frame in October)
The water is still warm and temperatures don’t drop until late November/December, so that a big plus. The ocean swells are more consistent providing perfect surfing conditions for experienced surfers.
