Netherlands

The 6.5km long Brouwersdam connects Goeree with Schouwen Duiveland, isolating the North Sea from the inland Grevelingenmeer. Windsurfers and kiters have long gathered here to cut loose, and its popularity remains intact today. Away from the water, it’s all about chatting with kindred spirits over a well-deserved beer or BBQ in the evening. The dyke is drivable and the surrounding dunes and beaches offer an amazing backdrop – it’s just like being on holiday. In fact, this area gets more sun than anywhere else in Holland. Conditions are usually freeride: the stronger and more onshore the wind, the choppier it gets – rarely bigger than a metre though, as a ring of sandbars about 5km offshore absorbs most North Sea swell. Only at high tide in stormy west to north-westerlies do any waves wash over to break feebly on the dyke. There are three launches: the main spot, roughly in the middle of the dam, is also the kite zone (all the way to the southern beach pavilion at 'De Kou', marked by yellow buoys). The southern can occasionally host good waves at high tide. The second spot is at the northern end of the main beach, where you can park right by the water. Windsurfing only though! The third is at the northern end of the dyke: beyond the slipway, a bay suitable for all wind directions nestles amidst high dunes with a sandy shore downwind. Although not officially allowed, kiting is still tolerated here.

Ostende is a real metropolis by Belgian standards. Not just party-central, it also offers some of the country’s finest dining – as long as you’re ready to open your wallet! There are three options for windsports: the kite scene meet by 'Outside' surf-club, which has its risks with all the groynes. A little way south is a launch by the boardwalk named 'Webcam' after a student mounted one here. As the city's main road passes nearby it's often used by the after-work crowd, just be careful where you park as there are wardens! The third launch is a little way west at 'Roze Villa', which even works with slightly cross-offshore winds which blow over low-lying land west of Mariakerke.

A perfect kite spot: you can stand up throughout most of this giant bay, and the water's so shallow it doesn’t even get choppy. Apart from a few wooden posts, no dangers lurk on the wide sandy beach. You used to be able to drive right onto the beach until the access road through the bird sanctuary was closed, so now you’ll face a 500m walk. Kite schools are so fond of this spot anyway that they've adapted a trolley to shuttle their kit to the beach.

The bay in front of the Slufter is much the same as it ever was, except that the third flight of stairs down to the beach has now gone. This huge standing-depth bay is good for all tides, although the water's quite a walk away at low. As the tide floods, two huge lagoons fill up inshore – perfect playgrounds for kite freestylers and beginners. The water's only deep enough for windsurfers at high tide, although they sometimes shelter from fierce westerlies here.

Vrouwenpolder is the North Sea launch from the Veersedam. A popular surf spot in north-west to westerly winds – which is a bit special, as Holland has few launches where westerly blows cross-shore. Too bad the bay is silting up, and needs so much wind due to the shadow cast by the surrounding land. Like across the road, it's “betaald parkeren” (paid parking). Carry your kit across the concrete dyke and keep going – it’s a long way to the water, especially at low tide. But the upside is a shallow pool that's great for practising. Waves are best at high tide.

Probably the Veluwemeer's most popular venue, for obvious reasons: perfect flat-water conditions, a huge 1.5km x 5km expanse of in-depth water, and a generous 180° wind range. Strand Horst is especially good on cold days when you needn’t dread a rinsing in the shallows. Even the paid parking won’t spoil the fun, as you can pull up right next to the water. Windsurfers use the northern stretch of beach, the official kite zone is a little further south. Its one flaw thrives in warmer months, when a weed fin is wise for windsurfing. There are full facilities ashore – and for homeward-bound empty stomachs, that familiar yellow 'M' is lit up behind the reeds and trees.

This village is on Dutch soil, although the venue itself is halfway to Knokke in Belgium. The most popular launch is in front of 'De Zeemeuw' pavilion. Nice waves break along a long sandy beach in south-west to westerly winds. It can get pretty big in a north-westerly, although that will be onshore. Towards Knokke there are ever fewer groynes.

A good spot for rare south-south-easterlies. Also works in westerly winds, although it's always choppy. The proximity to Rotterdam attracts lots of beachgoers in summer, the official kite zone is beyond the two beach pavilions.

Along with Wijk, Scheveningen is among Holland's most famous spots. It even hosts World Cup events, and deservedly so as the waves run clean down a 500m long jetty in south-westerly wind. Although big days are very rare, clean, steep, punchy waves near the beach attract a strong surf-scene. To avoid unnecessary conflict, the waters between the pier and the first groyne belong to the surfers. If it's rammed near the pier there's an alternate launch to the north in south-westerly wind, or head south of the quay to 'Duindorp' in north-easterly for some super-nice waves. Scheveningen is The Hague's city beach so there's no shortage of facilities – and not just cafés, the whole promenade is Disneyland-on-sea. Parking is just as commercial and it's regularly patrolled by the wheel clampers, so unless you're lucky enough to score one of the free spaces beneath the lighthouse you'd better feed the parking meters. After a session it's worth a short walk to the harbour's excellent fish stalls.

Stavoren hosts the IJsselmeer’s biggest 'waves’ – short, steep ramps that are ideal for airtime. The water gets deep here sooner than further north. Located south of the yacht harbour, Stavoren offers every facility you could wish for; a field for rigging, overnight campervan parking, toilets and hot showers – a real treat during the colder months.

This launch is from 'It Soal' campsite, but visitors can park at the entrance and cross to the beach via a small bridge. There's a good atmosphere and perfect conditions for freeride, freestyle and kiting – beginners also enjoy 500m of standing-depth water. Sometimes it's really shallow, especially in the winter when about 30cm of water is drained from the IJsselmeer to allow for the rainfall. Otherwise westerly wind directions are best, but apart from offshore easterly everything is ridable. In high season (June to August) kiters must sign in with the kite school to confirm that they understand the riding rules.

The satellite town of IJburg and its artificial sand-spit, only recently reclaimed from the IJmeer, soon became popular amongst Amsterdam's windsurfing community. This easy-going freeride and slalom spot works in pretty much any wind with a northerly component, NW allows long blasts towards the horizon of the IJ lake. Only gets choppy in stronger N or NE. There's a windsurf school and rentals right at the spot, paid parking nearby, and the city tram stops just 500m from the beach. Loads of beachgoers and some weed in the summer.

For the northern Dutch, the Lauwersmeer is a good alternative to the often crowded IJsselmeer further south. The most popular spot in the area is just off the N361. In north-east to south-south-westerly it's mainly windsurfers at Lauwersoog, although kiting is allowed. As the shallow area inshore is quite small, the Waddenzee mudflats are better for kitesurfing. The wind window extends clockwise from to south-west to north-easterly, although you are limited to just three hours around high tide.

Like Knokke, De Haan has a full-strength flavour of belle époque – even the modern buildings aren’t so ugly here! Surfers still need exactly the right wind direction to ensure consistent conditions along this heavily developed seafront though. On good days logo-high sessions are possible; there are no groynes, but hence a strong current, especially at high tide. It’s a bit of a hike in too, as the car has to stay in town.

This 6,000 populace town isn’t spectacular and the view of the offshore wind farm takes some getting used to, but conditions here are very good. Shorebreak and current are modest for the area, as long as the wind isn't onshore or above 30 knots. There are no obstacles on the beach or in the water and parking is near the launch. It’s a wonder this place isn’t more popular.

The Oosterscheldedam is Holland’s grandest dam construction, capable of hydraulically lowering 62 sluice-gates in just an hour. Unlike the dyke, this dam doesn’t influence the tides so Oosterschelde has been preserved as a natural habitat for various mussels, oysters, lobsters and fish. The gates only lower when there’s risk of storm flooding. The water themepark here is a well-known visitor attraction, but few realise that the island north of the dam is an amazing break. At high tide you can rip it up in a wide surf zone against a dune backdrop, just don't stray out too far because of the currents. At low tide a big shallow area forms, ideal for kiting – although the walk in of over 500m is likely to preserve it for purists.

The only viable launch in Renesse is at 'Our Seadside' beach pavilion in easterly winds – just be careful, as that's offshore! Renesse's other beaches are all nature reserves, so off-limits for kiting.

In north to north-westerly wind, head south of the harbour to IJmuiden. If a northerly storm sticks around for more than a day, the long North Sea fetch boosts the swell to king size. But just like Wijk, the water stays smooth between the waves unless it blows above Force 7. With just a moderate current, wave newcomers have a fighting chance behind the harbour-wall. There's also a watersports zone in summer, when the swimming area extends south in front of the beach-huts. From cafés to paid parking, Ijmuiden is more commercial than Wijk, although it does offer showers at the beach and a campsite nearby.

The southerly wind backs off a bit here, which can be handy in fierce weather. Typical of this coastline, there’s a strong current at Petten – which is also punctuated by rocky breakwaters. The village near the beach is nestled into a beautiful dune landscape with little freshwater lakes, although the industrial developments aren’t far away. The quality of Petten's waves even attracts surfers.

To be precise, this spot is at the 'Strandbad Edam’ campsite. Winds between north and easterly are sailable and for beginners there’s a 100m-wide expanse of shallow water. Once the wind dies off for the evening, why not enjoy some warm Dutch hospitality in nearby Volendam? Not suitable for foiling due to lots of seaweed.

For most visitors, Friesland's largest town (population 15,000) is merely the ferry port to Terschelling. However, the locals launch from a patch of beach south of the harbour to work on their moves for five hours around high tide, under the watchful gaze of the Stenen Man. The scene is uncomplicated, friendly and relaxed, a beach pavilion overlooks the water.

Noordwijk is equally known for its good conditions on the water (no groynes or other obstructions) and friendly atmosphere on the beach. Visitors have to buy a day pass from the clubs to launch, but can then enjoy the facilities – like at KSN, south of town, home to Ruben Lenten and Kevin Langeree. There's a second kite zone north of the lighthouse, register at Beachbreak. The beach-bars are open from April to mid-October, but numerous cafés and restaurants in town stay open all year.

Just off the N59, the Gerevelingendam is also popular. Even kiters are welcome here if they keep to the right of the windsurfing zone. Comfortable surroundings with showers, toilets, restaurant and paid parking.

South of the village of Hindeloopen the road leads straight over the Westerdijk past a few launch points – just park wherever takes your fancy. This is another perfect flat-water venue, with conditions as relaxed as 'Workum' or 'Makkum'. Just take it easy on the first couple of runs while you locate the few sandbars and rocks beneath the surface.

The tallest, widest dunes in the Netherlands sit south of the asphalted 'Hondsbossche Zeewering' dyke. There are still stone breakwaters stretching out to sea though, and be careful not to lose ground in cross-onshore south-westerlies or you'll be forced onto the dyke. Otherwise, just relax and enjoy the endless sandy landscape.

Kijkduin has blossomed into a top venue – all thanks to the 'Sand Motor', a vast sandbank that's been sucked up off the seabed and dumped close to shore to protect the coastal strip. This creates a double spot with a speedstrip downwind of the 'Zandmotor' and a classy break at the point. The only problem being that the constantly moving sandbars can throw up the odd surprise!

Elburg at the north-eastern tip of the Veluwemeer has a nice wide wind window – and as the deep channel is way over on the west bank, it's pretty much all standing-depth. The local windsurf school also teaches here, whereas kiters opt for the official kite beaches depending on wind direction.

The eastern end of the Greveleingenmeer hosts two more shallow venues. Herkingen, west of the marina, offers smooth water for speed runs. Watch out for isolated shoals in the shallow water though!

Between Enkhuizen and Lelystadt, the Houtribdijk separates the IJsselmeer from the Markermeer. Roughly mid-way along the dyke, there's parking at a yacht harbour and restaurant. Cross-on easterly wind lets you accelerate down the speedstrip behind the jetty before launching off the chop at the end. If you’re sick of catapulting at the shallow venues nearby, Trintelhafen's a great alternative as the water's much deeper!

The legend is back! Once, the Blokkedam and Slufter were among the toughest spots in the Netherlands, now the coastline runs another 2 km further out due to the extension of the Rotterdam harbour basin. The wind and waves can still arrive unhindered, especially at the Maasvlakte Point, which protrudes the farthest into the open sea. The round sandy point offers the right direction for a range of wind directions: from SSE to SW. Also exciting are northern directions, but you have to walk to the appropriate section of beach or ride a long tack, because the (small) car park is a good 1 km from Point. The ambiance factor has something of the old days: from the top of the road you look far into the port facilities whilst down below towards the water a real beach feeling arises.

The wide sandy beach in front of this classy seaside resort offers a variety of launches. The most chilled-out is east of town in front of 'Surfers Paradise’ beach-club. Unfortunately, you can't drive to it – so park on the roads of 'Lekkerbekhelling’ or 'Appelzakstraat’. Works best in low-pressure westerly winds, although the nearby Schelder Estuary produces a strong current. Like all Belgian spots, north-easterlies promise the biggest waves with a long fetch all the way across the North Sea. But as that's usually a summer high-pressure wind, conditions generally stay moderate.

Right in front of Oostmahorn village there's another Lauwersmeer spot with trouble-free parking, a few cafés, and even showers. Conditions are similar to 'Lauwersoog', except that northerly and southerly blow cross-shore here – onshore easterlies are choppy. Beginners will appreciate 50m of standing-depth water close inshore.

At the end of the Westerdijk, Molkwerum is 3km south of 'Hindeloopen'. Cross the dyke at Seleantsje campsite to hit the water. There's a little bit of standing-depth, but it soon leads into the nature reserve. The water's deeper offshore here, so nice ramps build with increasing windstrength.

If 'Makkum' proves too boring, you might find a bit more of a challenge here. The seabed drops away quicker at Gaast, so you’ll often encounter a bit of swell in strong winds. But like elsewhere on the IJsselmeer, it’s short and steep.

Muiderberg is one of two official kite launches in the waters around Flevoland. That and its proximity to Amsterdam make it suitably popular. With a bit of luck, you might score one of about 30 parking spaces on the dyke, otherwise you'll have to park about 100m away. If there are too many people ashore, you can always use the 200m of standing-depth water for the kite launch.

Across the water from 'Strand Horst', Zeewolde is best for easterlies. Facilities (showers, toilets, refreshments) and conditions are pretty similar – except that the shallow area is a bit smaller at 200m x 400m. Unfortunately kiting isn't allowed, as the kite zone is east of the channel only.

Parking's free on the Grevelingenmeer to the north of the Brouwersdam. De Punt is best in easterlies – but just like 'Surfcentrum', the dyke also offers shelter from westerly storms, although it can get very gusty. There's a shallow area for beginners.

A handful of locals occasionally take the short trip to the eastern part of the Haringvliet for a quick evening session after work. Numansdorp also offers windsurfing beginners good conditions, as a wind shadow keeps the water particularly flat close inshore. Park on the bank overlooking the launch.

With plenty of space and the town council's blessing, Norddeich has developed into one of the region's most valued teaching and training venues. Beside the ferry port and marina you can rig up on grass, and launch if there's water. The window for windsurfers is within two hours of high tide, four hours for kiters. The zones are separated by a string of red buoys. Landing on the seal island offshore is strictly forbidden. Beware ebb tide in a south-westerly when wind and current work together!

Between Monnikendam and Marken, Gouwzee is a lesser-known local favourite. Surrounded by dykes the waters are pretty still anyway, but the strips between the patches of seagrass are particularly smooth – perfect for speed runs. The popular launch is from 'Hemmeland', or there's another off the N518 on the south bank.

If spots were named after their waves, this whole coastline would be called Monster – conditions hardly differ from north to south. No wonder the locals like to start downwinders from here to Scheveningen in south-westerly winds. On the way, they rip the waves at the 'Zandmotor', that also work in northerlies. Back in Ter Heijde itself you have to pay attention to stone breakwaters, which explains why hardly anyone rides there.

Detailed directions are available from the EPZ nuclear power plant’s website, as this spot is right in front of its cooling-water discharge. But that obviously doesn’t worry the locals.

Leuke spot midden in de randstad. Beste wind is bij westen of oosten wind, vaak zuid-west of noord-west dan is de wind vlagerig. Makkelijk parkeren direct bij het water, optuigen op gras. De plas is ontstaan door zandafgraving, dus diep alleen aan de oevers kun je enkele meter staan.
Surfshop en windsurfschool is direct gelegen aan het water.
Ook zeer geschikt voor het Suppen de Zoetermeerse plas, boards zijn te huur bij surfschop.

Groote Keeten is rapidly gaining in popularity, as the beach is very wide and the groynes aren't so tightly packed. Cross-shore is obviously the best call, although the locals will cruise along the coast to Julianedorp and back in onshore winds. In summer, ask the lifeguards if and where it's OK to launch before rigging.

De Houw is a pure windsurfing spot, as kiting is banned in the bird sanctuary. West to south-westerly winds allow blasting over shallow, flat waters at the north-eastern end of the enclosing dyke. When easterly blows offshore further down the east bank, it still works along the Afsluisdijk – although strong winds can blow the water away, making it shallower than a slalom fin in places.

If you like it a bit quieter, drive 5km further south to Wassenaar. A small road named 'Wassenaarseslag' weaves through the dunes to a car-park just off the beach.

South-west of 'Camperduin' the coast-road leads into the dunes, ending up at a car-park less than 100m from the water. Conditions are much the same, again with rocky 'strekdammen' breakwaters reinforcing the beach every few-hundred meters. But as there's more space for rigging, Hargen's becoming increasingly popular with kiters. The waves work best at high tide.

The waves are even cleaner in front of the Royal Belgian Sailing Club than at 'Surfers Paradise' as the harbour breakwater upwind brings a little order to the North Sea chaos. When a west-south-westerly blows strong enough, this break offers real down-the-line waveriding. In moderate winds beginners can find patches of flat water between the rock groynes, every 400m.

These mudflat spots are best in winds from the southern half of the compass so there's land downwind for safety. Kiting's only allowed west of the quay though. In easterly winds it's super-flat behind the sea-wall, but also very shallow. Beyond two hours of high tide the mudflats dry out completely.

Upleward is also called 'Trockenstrand' ("dry beach") – it's all in the name, as you can only ride here at high tide. But it's a massive standing-depth spot, and prevailing westerlies offer the reassurance of land at your back. Kiosks, public toilets, plus a campsite next door.