Camping tips right by the spot: Campsites for surfers in the Netherlands
Wild camping is prohibited in the Netherlands, and in such a densely populated country it is difficult to find secluded places to spend the night anyway. Depending on the region, offences are punished with severe fines of up to 500 euros - the local campsites are much cheaper. While you are forced to stand behind the dyke on the open North Sea and often have to walk long distances to the water, the inland waters such as the IJssel and Veluwemeer, on the other hand, offer very nice opportunities for camping directly at the spot. This is where beginners and intermediates, shallow water and bump-and-jump fans get their money's worth.
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Ambitious surf surfers are probably best off with their camper a little further south in the Zeeland region (spot 8, Veerse Meer) and in neighbouring Schouwen-Duiveland, but they can't avoid firing up the car for a session at spots such as Domburg or Ouddorp or at least hitching up the bike trailer. As this special is exclusively about spots with direct water access, we have dedicated the second part of our camping series to the best inland spots in the Netherlands and present some of the best places where you can simply leave your camper and walk to the water with your board under your arm. This is just a selection, and perhaps you know of other spots that fulfil the "from bed to board" criterion and are worth presenting in a future issue. If so, please feel free to send us your tips: redaktion@surf-magazin.de
1st Makkum
53.0530, 5.3785
At the north-eastern tip of the IJsselmeer, Makkum offers a sheltered bay with modern holiday flair and a charming old town. Between the beach resort to the south and a headland to the north, a bay is created that is divided into two parts by a long, accessible breakwater. This is also where the large De Holle Poarte campsite is located, right next to the beach. The water remains knee-deep for a long way, even around 100 metres behind the tip of the pier, and is therefore ideal for upwind, manoeuvre training, freestyle and slalom on shallow water. Depending on the wind, the small, steep waves typical of the IJsselmeer also develop on the offshore sandbanks. All westerly wind directions can be surfed, while Molkwerum or Stavoren are the better choice when the wind blows offshore from the east. On warm summer days, you should keep an eye on the numerous swimmers. Evenings invite you to stroll along the promenade - once you've dipped your feet in the IJsselmeer, the holiday feeling is there. Makkum stands out from the rest of the east coast with its hotel and holiday complexes instead of dykes and sheep, while the old town has a genuine fishing heritage with winding alleyways and striking gabled houses. Windless days are ideal for cycling or sailing tours to the historic neighbouring villages. And if you still have energy left, there are lively bars where you can socialise in the evenings. Info: hollepoarte.nl/en
2. workum
52.9666, 5.4117
The modern Soal Beach Resort to the west of the small village of Workum, surrounded by a nature reserve, offers luxurious chalets and simple pitches on the "surfer's field" directly at the spot - the IJsselmeer spot where even wave or seaweed fins can make contact with the ground on sandbanks far from the shore. So be careful! On the other hand, the spot offers perfect conditions in westerly winds for all beginners and intermediates, who can safely cover their first metres on a windsurfing board here. However, you need to be aware of the kitesurfing courses that take place in the bay. Info: soalbeachresort.com
3. Hindeloopen
52.9340, 5.4035
"Loopen" means "to walk", and that is also the programme in Hindeloopen on the Ijsselmeer. Those staying at Camping Hindeloopen no longer need to fire up their engine during their stay and have direct access to the water - it's just a short walk from the campsite over the dyke. Along the surfing area, which is level with the campsite, wooden groynes protrude a little way into the water, but even after that it remains very shallow with some very shallow sandbanks and individual stones in the water. The best wind directions here are south-west or north-west, with a flat onshore westerly wind you first have to walk or cross a few metres to leave the very shallow area behind you. About 200 metres north of the campsite is the area designated for kiters; to the south, the shore is open to surfers. Info: campinghindeloopen.nl
4th Enkhuizen
52.7100, 5.2953
Many windsurfers are familiar with the east side of the IJsselmeer with spots such as Makkum, Hindeloopen etc. - the less popular west side, on the other hand, is probably a new discovery for many. Accordingly, there is plenty of space on the water. The wind blows onshore from the north-east in Enkhuizen - it's amazing how quickly the infamous Ijsselmeer wave builds up here and bump-and-jump conditions are the order of the day. The best conditions for beginners and intermediates are sideshore winds from the north-west or south-east to south with smooth water.
At 300 metres wide, the standing area is relatively large and the ground is sandy. The large campsite, which is part of the Euro-Parcs chain and offers holiday homes and various pitches, is located directly behind the small Enkhuizer beach from which you start. In general, there is a very relaxed atmosphere on and by the water, which can also be found in the villages - nothing seems hectic or crowded here. Info: europarcs.nl/vakantieparken/enkhuizer-strand
5th Nunspeet
52.3924, 5.7267
Hardly any other area is as well developed for windsurfers as the region around Lake Veluwe. There are several well-equipped surf schools over a distance of almost 20 kilometres, where you can take courses or hire surf equipment, and the mighty Telstar surf shop at the entrance to Strand Horst tempts windsurfers time and again with its large display of the latest hardware. The spot near Nunspeet offers comparable conditions to the main spot at Strand Horst near Harderwijk - mostly waist-deep flat water where beginners and freestyle experts alike can hone their manoeuvres. With long fins, you should start a little further out, but then there is also plenty of space for long strokes and manoeuvres. Westerly wind directions are ideal. North-westerly winds that come over the IJselmeer are generally more constant and reliable than south-westerly winds that come more over land until they hit the Veluwemeer. High pressure areas with north-easterly currents are rarer, but they can provide very favourable summer conditions. During the summer months, however, seaweed can spoil the surfing fun somewhat. It therefore makes sense to bring a suitable fin with you on Lake Veluwe, especially as it could save you a few skidding falls due to the shallow water in the shore area.
Directly in front of Camping De Oude Pol, you can enter the water via a small sandy beach to the left of the small harbour. There is a large selection of campsites and holiday parks by the water on this stretch of beach on Lake Veluwe. Other addresses are Camping Polsmaten or the large EuroParc Bad Hoophuizen a little further south. At the eastern end of Harderwijk, easily recognisable by its blue dome, is the Dolfinarium, a large amusement park with the dubious main attraction of trained dolphins. The lively town of Harderwijk with its old buildings and long shopping streets is definitely worth a visit. The journey to the beautiful city centre of Amsterdam only takes about an hour on a calm day. Info: deoudepol.nl
6th Flevostrand Veluwemeer
52.3831, 5.6310
The north side of Lake Veluwe also offers good surfing opportunities, and the conditions are basically no different from the spots on the south side. There is also the finest flat water here. One advantage may be that winds from the east to the south come through much more freely here. Conversely, you're in for a surprise if the wind blows from the west or north-west, as it comes over land and is therefore quite gusty. Flevostrand, opposite Harderwijk, may not offer as large a standing area as other spots on Lake Veluwe, but it does have a fully equipped Molecaten Park with camping facilities right next to the spot. Surfers with long fins, families and the ability to waterstart are in the right place here: the swimming pool, mini golf, tennis court, supermarket and surf spot are all on the doorstep and offer the best conditions for a stress-free holiday. The Veluwemeer surf camp on the north side, a little further east, is also a good place to go for beginners and young people. Info: molecaten.nl/flevostrand
7. beach Nulde
52.2726, 5.5372
An excellent alternative spot to the famous Harderwijk - and even with camping facilities right by the water. While there is no opportunity to jump from bed to board at its big brother, Strand Horst, around five kilometres further north, Strandparc Nulde makes campers' hearts beat faster: you can pitch your tent or park your mobile home less than ten metres from the water. However, Lake Veluwe is much narrower here (basically a channel around 500 metres wide) and the wind is correspondingly gustier. South-west and north-east winds work best.
After a standing area near the shore, you even get a few jumpable chops in front of the bow further out in the fairway. Caution: Watch out for boats! Info: vdbholiday.com/nl/recreatie/strandparc-nulde
8th Veerse Meer
51.5688, 3.6569
The Veerse Meer in Zeeland, south of the well-known Brouwersdamsis a spot that many Dutch surfers don't even have on their radar. Camping Schotsman is right on the water here and offers good conditions for all wind directions from south-east to north-west. Especially in the high season, the Veerse Meer is a welcome alternative to the overcrowded Grevelingenmeer, where camping on the infamous Kabbelaarsbank is prohibited anyway. As soon as the wind picks up from the north-west, a controlled chop forms in front of Camping Schotsman, which is ideal for jumping manoeuvres and yet is so orderly that you can still heat up really well. The groynes protruding up to 20 metres into the water are ideal for jibes or freestyle manoeuvres in mirror-smooth water right on the beach.
The campsite offers everything you need in terms of infrastructure. If a rope breaks during a session, the Thijs windsurfing school and shop are right next to the spot to help you get back on the water quickly. Funnily enough, the associated village is called Kamperland, which has nothing to do with the good camping situation on site, but is derived from the Latin term "campus", which means "field" or "fenced-in land". Another plus point is the proximity to the Dutch top wave spot Domburg, which can be reached in less than half an hour by car. Info: rcn.nl/en/holiday-parks/holland/zeeland/rcn-de-schotsman
Julian Wiemar
Editor surf
